Lauren Graham Felt ‘Too Tall for Television’ in Her First Role inAll My Children

Mar. 15, 2025

Lauren Graham on ‘Caroline in the City’ in 1995.Photo:Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Lauren Graham in CAROLINE IN THE CITY

Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Lauren Grahamhas some thoughts about her early career.

On the Jan. 31 episode ofLive with Kelly and Mark, hostKelly Ripareminded Graham of one of her earliest roles:her 1994 appearanceonAll My Children. The host also played a clip of her appearance, in which Graham spoke toSusan Lucci’s Erica Kaneduring a fashion show.

“First of all, I am and was a hugeAll My Childrenfan so this blew my mind,” Graham, 57, told Ripa and Mark Consuelos, whoplayed Hayley and Mateoon the series. “Oh my God, I’m a dork.”

“This is my first speaking role and that’s my real hair,” Graham said, noting her curly hair in the clip. “This is what has happened in 25 years of show business, it has just given up.”

“I remember going to work with Susan Lucci and that’s the first time I saw myself on television and I was like, ‘I am too tall. I am too tall for television!’ Because she’s so tiny!” Graham remembered. “Oh my gosh, and she was so perfectly dressed and well prepared and knew all her lines first thing in the morning. And I just found it so impressive.”

From left: Jane Curtin, Lauren Graham and John Lithgow in ‘3rd Rock From the Sun’ in 1996.Michael Yarish/NBCU

Lauren Graham in 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN

Michael Yarish/NBCU

Other early roles for Graham includedCaroline in the City,3rd Rock From the Sun,Towniesand a three-episode arc onLaw & Order. She broke out in 2000 when she was cast as Lorelai Gilmore inGilmore Girls. She’s also had starring roles inParenthood,Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,The Mighty Ducks: Game Changersand the new Tubi seriesThe Z-Suite.

Back in December, Graham and herGilmore GirlscostarScott Pattersonbrought back their characters for a new ad for Walmart. “It’s always a little surreal [returning to Stars Hollow], because we were back where we’ve been so many times,”Graham told PEOPLE, while Patterson called the actress his “favorite scene partner of [his] entire career.”

Lauren Graham in 2022.John Lamparski/Getty

Lauren Graham

John Lamparski/Getty

“I’ve never worked with anybody with a better skill set, more grit and just this incredible stamina among the other things that she brings with her humor and her kindness,” he said of his costar.

Graham also guessed where their fictional counterparts, Luke and Lorelai, might be now, telling PEOPLE she’d bet “they’re exactly the same.”

“I think she is running an inn or maybe a second inn and hitting Luke’s up every day for her coffee unless she’s making it at home with the thoughtful gift you gave her for Christmas. That’s what I would want from where are they today is pretty much in the same place,” she said.

The Z-Suitepremieres on Feb. 6 on Tubi.

source: people.com