The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop Summary

The Third Gilmore Girl is Kelly Bishop’s memoir chronicling her six-decade career in show business and personal journey. It covers her transition from ballet dancer to Tony Award-winning actress in A Chorus Line, iconic roles in Dirty Dancing and Gilmore Girls, marriages, activism for women’s rights, and coping with personal losses. Blending witty insights with personal photographs, the book celebrates resilience and legacy in Hollywood.

Kelly Bishop is an award-winning American actress and dancer born in 1944, best known as Emily Gilmore in Gilmore Girls and Marjorie Houseman in Dirty Dancing. Starting as a ballet dancer at 18, she originated the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line (winning a Tony), later defining her legacy in film and TV. Her career spans Broadway to Hollywood, marked by authenticity and perseverance.

Fans of Gilmore Girls, Dirty Dancing, or Broadway history will appreciate Bishop’s behind-the-scenes stories. It’s equally valuable for readers interested in memoirs about resilience, women in entertainment, or navigating grief and career reinvention. With humor and honesty, Bishop addresses universal themes like loss and empowerment, making it ideal for those seeking inspiration from a pioneering artist.

Yes—it won the 2024 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Memoir and debuted as a New York Times bestseller. Critics praise its candid charm (Los Angeles Times) and "warm, witty" storytelling (People). Bishop’s unapologetic reflections on marriage, grief, and Hollywood offer both emotional depth and celebratory insights, solidifying its acclaim.

Bishop openly discusses marrying a compulsive gambler young, losing her second husband to cancer, and her decision to have an abortion. She balances these with achievements like marching for women’s rights and career milestones, framing hardships as catalysts for growth. Her resilience underscores the memoir’s theme: embracing life authentically despite trauma.

She acknowledges Emily Gilmore as her most iconic role, cementing her cultural impact. The memoir delves into on-set experiences and how the character resonated globally, though Bishop clarifies her identity extends beyond it. She shares how the show’s success allowed creative freedom and deepened her connection with fans.

Unlike typical celebrity memoirs, The Third Gilmore Girl blends professional anecdotes with profound life lessons—like navigating sexism in Hollywood or finding strength after loss. Bishop’s writing balances wit with vulnerability, enhanced by personal photographs. Its focus on reinvention (from ballet to acting) and advocacy adds layered depth.

Beyond the Goodreads Choice Award and NYT bestseller status, it earned raves: Us Weekly calls it "essential for Gilmore fans," while Sutton Foster hails Bishop’s "unapologetic spirit." People praises its "heart," and Lauren Graham commends its "satisfying, treasured-friend" tone. Critical consensus highlights its emotional resonance.

She frames grief as transformative, detailing her husband’s death from cancer and using activism/art as healing tools. Bishop advocates "moving forward without apology," linking resilience to her career pivots and personal values. This perspective turns pain into purposeful storytelling, offering readers actionable wisdom.

Key themes include adapting to industry shifts (ballet to acting), advocating for artistic integrity, and valuing collaboration. Bishop credits A Chorus Line for teaching perseverance and Gilmore Girls for highlighting nuanced female roles. Her advice: prioritize passion over perfection and embrace reinvention.

Personal and professional photographs punctuate each chapter, offering glimpses into Bishop’s childhood, Broadway days, and Gilmore Girls era. These images contextualize her narratives—like behind-the-scenes moments or family milestones—enhancing the book’s intimate, scrapbook-like appeal.

Bishop distills six decades into core lessons:

• Embrace change (e.g., leaving ballet for acting).
• Resilience is self-defined (overcoming gambler spouse, widowhood).
• Advocate fiercely (women’s rights, artistic control).

Her candid framing turns anecdotes into universal takeaways for readers.