Every Cast Member Who Has Died

From the quirky Stars Hollow residents to Lorelai and Rory’s friends and lovers to the dysfunctional Gilmore family, Gilmore Girls is full of beloved characters who became TV icons thanks to the talented actors who played them. The show recently reached a milestone, as October 5, 2025, was the 25th anniversary of Gilmore Girls‘ premiere. However, with that celebration came the reminder that some of its stars are no longer with us.

Most of the Gilmore Girls cast continued to make great TV shows, though they will forever be most associated with their characters on Amy Sherman-Palladino’s spectacular show. The same goes for the Gilmore Girls actors who have tragically passed away.

Edward Herrmann (Richard Gilmore)

July 21, 1943 – December 31, 2014

Richard (Edward Herrmann) wearing a grey suit and smiling on Gilmore Girls

The patriarch of the Gilmore family, Edward Herrmann is the most prominent Gilmore Girls cast member to have died. The affluent Richard Gilmore was largely defined by his relationships with the show’s main female characters. Though Richard could be arrogant and was known to belittle his daughter, Lorelai, his developing relationship with his granddaughter, Rory, and his support of her education resulted in some of the show’s sweetest moments.

Richard’s long-lasting marriage to Emily had its ups and downs, but their love was enduring, and they were truly Gilmore Girls‘ best couple. Herrmann passed away prior to the filming of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and his departure became a prominent part of the sequel series, with Emily attempting to move on as a widow and Lorelai struggling with her inability to mourn her father.

Herrmann was born in Washington, D.C., and began his acting professionally in the 1970s, getting his start in theatre. Throughout his successful stage career, Herrmann won a Tony Award in 1976 for his role in the stage play, Mrs. Warren’s Profession. He was nominated for another Tony in 1983 for his performance in Plenty.

With his tall and commanding frame, Herrmann often played men of means, whether the comedic billionaire Richard Rich Sr. in 1994’s Richie Rich or President Franklin D. Roosevelt in both the 1976 miniseries Eleanor and Franklin and the 1982 film adaptation of Annie. However, Richard Gilmore remains his most defining role.

Herrmann died of brain cancer in New York City on December 31, 2014, at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife, Star Herrmann, and his three children.

Brian Tarantina (Bootsy)

March 27, 1959 – November 2, 2019

Bootsy (Brian Tarantina) standing next to Rory (Alexis Bledel) in the town square looking perplexed in Gilmore Girls

The late Brian Tarantina played Bootsy, Stars Hollow’s local newsstand owner, in Gilmore Girls. A recurring season 2 character, Bootsy grew up in Stars Hollow, and inherited his business from his father. Bootsy has shared history with Luke, as the two went to school together, and like the diner owner, Bootsy is known for his curmudgeonly yet lovable personality.

Though Tarantina reprised his role as Bootsy in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, the actor would become better known for another Amy Sherman-Palladino show — The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, in which he played Jackie, the Gaslight’s emcee and Susie’s roommate and close friend.

As Tarantina died while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was still airing, his death was written into the show, with the character tastefully passing away from a stroke offscreen in season 4. In addition to Gilmore Girls and Maisel, Tarantina was also known for playing Lucky Lipman in the soap opera One Life to Live from 1990-1991.

Tarantina died at the age of 60 of an accidental drug overdose on November 2, 2019, in New York City, where he was also born. He is survived by one son.

Elizabeth Franz (Mia Halloway)

June 18, 1941 – November 4, 2025

Mia Halloway (Elizabeth Franz) extending her arms for a hug in Gilmore Girls season 2

Elizabeth Franz appeared in Gilmore Girls season 2, episode 8, “The Ins and Outs of Inns,” as Mia Halloway. Though Mia’s presence in the show wasn’t large, her impact on Lorelai certainly was. Mia was the owner of the Independence Inn, and she took a teenage Lorelai in after she left home with baby Rory.

Mia gave Lorelai a job at the inn as a maid and allowed her and Rory to live in the shed until Lorelai found her feet. It was thanks to Mia that Lorelai was able to carve out her own path in the world, and she remained a huge presence in both Lorelai and Rory’s lives. The Gilmore girls attend Mia’s wedding in season 7, though the character is played by Kathy Baker, as Franz wasn’t available.

Franz was born in Akron, Ohio, and, much like Edward Herrmann, became a prolific stage actor. She was nominated for three Tony Awards throughout her career, winning in 1999 for her performance as Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman.

The most recent Gilmore Girls cast member to pass away, Franz died of cancer on November 4, 2025, in Woodbury, Connecticut. She was 84 years old. Franz is survived by her husband, writer Christopher Pelham.