The Third Gilmore Girl

A Memoir

By: Kelly Bishop, Amy Sherman-Palladino - introduction

Narrated by: Kelly Bishop

INCLUDES A FOREWORD WRITTEN AND READ BY GILMORE GIRLS CREATOR, AMY SHERMAN-PALLADINO!

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A Goodreads Choice Awards Winner

“Come for the Gilmore Girls anecdotes, stay for the revealing truths about what it takes to build a lifelong career in and out of Hollywood” (The A.V. Club) in this candid and captivating memoir from award-winning and beloved actress Kelly Bishop, spanning her six decades in show business from A Chorus Line, Dirty Dancing, Gilmore Girls, and much more.

Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy.

Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.

Full of witty insights and featuring a special collection of personal and professional photographs, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down.

Critic reviews

"Actor/singer/dancer Kelly Bishop’s warmth and emotional intelligence shine as she narrates her memoir. While her most well-known role is that of matriarch Emily Gilmore on “Gilmore Girls,” she begins her memoir with the role that changed her life: that of Sheila, the oldest dancer in the Broadway production of A CHORUS LINE. Highlights of Bishop’s story include a confident tone as she lands her first agent, a withering comeback to a groper, and a voice tight with worry over her singing voice. As Bishop recounts aspects of her private life, listeners will realize the ways the real-life person contrasts with the prickly personality of her “Gilmore” character. An enthusiastically affectionate foreword from writer/director Amy Sherman–Palladino sets the stage for engaging listening."

"Actor/singer/dancer Kelly Bishop’s warmth and emotional intelligence shine as she narrates her memoir. While her most well-known role is that of matriarch Emily Gilmore on “Gilmore Girls,” she begins her memoir with the role that changed her life: that of Sheila, the oldest dancer in the Broadway production of A CHORUS LINE. Highlights of Bishop’s story include a confident tone as she lands her first agent, a withering comeback to a groper, and a voice tight with worry over her singing voice. As Bishop recounts aspects of her private life, listeners will realize the ways the real-life person contrasts with the prickly personality of her “Gilmore” character. An enthusiastically affectionate foreword from writer/director Amy Sherman–Palladino sets the stage for engaging listening."

Extraordinary!

Kelly Bishop is an amazing narrator, phenomenal actress, and extraordinary person. I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to listen to her story. Despite the title's name, the actress does not define herself by one single TV show. She shares a plethora of life experiences and looks at the past through a lense of gratitude. I have the utmost respect for Kelly Bishop as a human. This memoir was a treat!

Kelly Bishop is intriguing and wonderful story teller

What a life this woman has lived!! I was hanging on to every word she said and loved every bit of this book! Highly recommend!!! Hands down my favorite Gilmore girl!!

The narrator herself

Love love loved it!!! It was everything I thought it would be! What a life and outlook she had on things!

Loved this so much

I went into this book naively thinking that it would be mostly about Kelly Bishop’s time playing Emily Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, but it included so much more and was delightful! I’m a huge GG fan and getting to know about the woman behind one of the most iconic characters on the show was positively fantastic. I absolutely loved learning about all the interesting things she’s experienced while also crying at so many parts, the heart-wrenching and nostalgic show moments. I’ve gone through it fully twice now, and I highly, highly recommend!

Interesting and hopeful

Very interesting life and professional story with underlying hope and resilience. Loved how relevant her story was.