Lorelai Gilmore is related to a character played by Edward Herrmann.
Lorelai Victoria Gilmore is a fictional character in the WB/CW television series Gilmore Girls , portrayed by actress Lauren Graham . The dynamic of single parenthood and the tension between Lorelai and her wealthy parents , Richard ( Edward Herrmann ) and especially her controlling mother , Emily ( Kelly Bishop ) , form the main theme of the series story line . Besides an on-again , off-again relationship with Christopher Hayden , Lorelai 's had a few romantic relationships that included Max Medina ( Scott Cohen ) , a teacher at Chilton to whom she was briefly engaged .