Jack Carpenter

The episode: Winter
The role: Paul, Rory’s wildly neglected boyfriend.
How you know him: You might recognize Carpenter as a social media founder on The Good Wife, which Matt Czuchry — a.k.a. Logan Huntzberger — was also on.
Louise Goffin

The episode: Winter
The role: Louise, the troubadour’s sister
How you know her: Goffin performs the iconic Gilmore Girls theme song, “Where You Lead,” with her mother, Carole King.
Roy Choi

Episode: Winter
The role: Himself, as a temporary replacement for Sookie at the Dragonfly Inn.
How you know him: Choi is famous for creating Kogi, a Korean taco truck in Los Angeles, which inspired the 2014 film Chef.
Julia Goldani Telles

Episode: Spring
The role: Sandee Martin, the founder of Sandee Says, the website Rory interviews for a job at.
How you know her: Telles got her start on Gilmore-creator Amy Sherman-Palladino’s show Bunheads, but you might be more familiar with her as Whitney Solloway on The Affair.
Rachael Ray

Episode: Spring
The role: Herself, yet another chef who replaces Sookie.
How you know her: We don’t know what the celebrity chef is more famous for, her delicious cooking or her three TV shows.
Paul Anka

The episode: Spring
The role: The human embodiment of Paul Anka the dog.
How you know him: This is the smooth crooner’s second visit to Stars Hollow.
Dan Bucatinsky

The episode: Spring
The role: Jim Nelson, a GQ editor who Rory meets with.
How you know him: Take out your white hats, Scandal fans, James lives! But, if you don’t watch Scandal, you might have seen Bucatinsky on The Comeback or Web Therapy.
Jason Mantzoukas

The episode: Spring
The role: The lawyer who lets Rory know that eccentric writer, Naomi Shropshire, no longer wants to work with her.
How you know him: The funny man, who’s a noted Gilmore Girls super-fan, has had hilarious roles on Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Mae Whitman

The episode: Spring
The role: The girl standing in one of those crazy lines who Lorelai gives a “Krodo Cake” to.
How you know her: It’s a TV mother/daughter reunion! Whitman played Lauren Graham’s daughter on Parenthood.
Christian Borle

The episode: Summer
The role: Carl, the male lead in the Stars Hollow musical.
How you know him: The famed Broadway actor has also appeared on Smash and The Good Wife.
Sutton Foster

The episode: Summer
The role: Violet, the female lead in the Stars Hollow musical.
How you know her: The Broadway actress got to know ASP as the star of Bunheads, and can now be seen alongside Hilary Duff on Younger.
Brad Ellis

The episode: Summer
The role: The pianist for the musical.
How you know him: Ellis was also the ubiquitous pianist on Glee.
Jason Ritter

The episode: Fall
The role: Park Ranger #1
How you know him: Ritter reunited with his former Parenthood love interest, Lauren Graham.
Stacey Oristano

The episode: Fall
The role: Allie, one of the women Lorelai meets on her Wild-inspired trip.
How you know her: You’ll know Oristano from Bunheads and as Mindy Riggins on Friday Night Lights.
Peter Krause

The episode: Fall
The role: Park Ranger #2
How you know him: Graham’s real-life partner also co-starred on Parenthood.
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