The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by Kelly Bishop
Although I'm an avid fan of Gilmore Girls, I knew shockingly little about Kelly Bishop's life before she took on the iconic role of Emily Gilmore. Unbeknownst to me, Emily was far from Bishop's first iconic role. She not only originated the role of Sheila Bryant in A Chorus Line, her reflection on her life and growing up were often used verbatim in the Broadway classic.
But before all of that, Bishop was born Carole Jane Bishop (she'd later change her name to avoid any undue confusion with another upcoming actress). A talented ballet dancer from a young age, her skill of dance led her mother to moving Bishop and her brother from Colorado to California to follow Bishop's ballet mentor.
Not only was Bishop an impressive dancer, but she loved performing in that way. When she was 18, she moved to New York City and began dancing professionally. It was also then that she had her first serious love. With that boyfriend, she would move to Las Vegas and they would both keep dancing for a living. But, ultimately, their relationship ended amicably.
After her return to New York City, Bishop married her first husband, which she now reflects on as a poor and naive choice. Fortunately, she was able to separate from her first husband and keep her career going after. In terms of her romantic life, Bishop also shares her much happier and fulfilling second marriage to TV talk show host Lee Leonard (he sadly passed in 2018).
Professionally, of course, Bishop discusses her life as a Gilmore. From her instant connection to show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, her professional and friendly bond with her TV husband Ed Herrmann, and her familial relationships with and feelings for her TV daughter, Lauren Graham, and granddaughter, Alexis Bledel.
At the heart of it all is Bishop's observant mind, reflective wit and wisdom, and all the kind life advice she can offer (either directly or indirectly).
I began The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by Kelly Bishop because of my love for her portrayal of Emily Gilmore, but I stayed for the life (so far) of an immensely talented, ambitious, and candidly relatable woman.
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