Jared Padalecki turns 31 today. This actor stars in several films, including New York Minute and House of Wax, as well as the television series Supernatural His real claim to fame, however, was his role of Dean Forester in the show Gilmore Girls. Padalecki plays the role of compassionate, caring Dean extremely well, and portrays the “perfect boyfriend” part flawlessly.
Dean is Rory’s first boyfriend. He is her first kiss, her first love, her first broken heart. The life lessons she learns from her relationship with Dean shape the rest of her life. There are several significant influential people in Rory’s life, and Dean is one of the most important ones. In honor of Jared Padalecki’s birthday, here is a list of those top ten influences.
10) Sookie
Sookie St. James is Lorelei’s business partner and best friend. She is right beside Lorelei as they watch Rory grow up. She is there through almost everything – Rory’s high school graduations, her relationships, baking her birthday cakes and giving her another role model to look up to.
9) Paris
Rory meets Paris at Chilton. Hating each other upon first impression, the two become rivals for years. When they both end up attending Yale, Paris makes sure they share the same dorm room. Through the years, they become best friends. Paris and Rory push each other, both academically and socially. They have their ups and downs, but it’s a strong friendship that endures throughout the seven seasons of Gilmore Girls
8) Christopher
Christopher Hayden is Rory’s biological father. At the start of Gilmore Girls, he isn’t really a part of the picture – he’s an unreliable, irresponsible man that pops in and out every once in awhile. However, it is no question that he loves Rory and he becomes an increasingly important man in her life. Although she doesn’t ask for much, whenever she requests something of Chris, he tries his best to pull through.
7) Lane
Lane Kim and Rory became friends when Lane shared her crayons with Rory in kindergarten. And man, did it stick. The two best friends are always there for each other. No matter what the problem – school, boys or the craziness of Mrs. Kim – they are always just a quick jog or a phone call away. This is a special relationship that no boy or fight could ever sever.
6) Luke
Luke Danes almost becomes Rory’s step-father. Even though he doesn’t, he is more of a dad to Rory than Christopher is anyways. He knows all of her favorite foods. He took care of her when she had the chicken pox. He went to her high school graduation and helped her get settled into Yale. With Christopher off living his own life, Rory often turns to Luke to be the father figure in her life. And he is indeed an extremely caring and dependable one at that.
5) Dean
Dean Forester is the most important relationship Rory has, as it is her first. She learns so much from Dean – how to love, how to compromise and even how to get over a broken heart. Although Dean and Rory are ultimately heading in opposite directions, the love they shared is a big milestone for Rory. Dean will always be in Stars Hollow. When she and Dean split up the second time, Rory is starting to realize that she needs more. She deserves everything, and she will do anything to go out in the world to get it. Dean realizes this as well, and not wanting to hold her back from her potential, lets her go.
4) Richard and Emily Gilmore
Rory’s grandparents are “the two pillars for which she stands.” They are always there for her to support her and always make their pride for her known. They help her pay for Chilton and Yale and they help her through her rough patch in season five. Their Friday Night Dinners become an integral part of Rory’s life, one that she looks forward to and cherishes. The support that her grandparents give her help her grow into the success that she becomes.
3) Logan
Logan Huntzberger is a huge part of Rory’s life. He is her boyfriend for more episodes than anyone else. Rory changes Logan from a wild boy who can’t be tied down to a boyfriend man. But Logan changes Rory as well. He shows Rory how to let loose and have fun. She is given several opportunities because she dates Logan, including her starter internship with Mitchum Huntzberger. Rory and Logan hit a number of rocky patches, but the love they share influences so many aspects of Rory’s life. When he proposes, Logan makes Rory realize that she has her own dreams she’s been working towards that she needs to pursue.
2) Jess
Jess Mariano is Rory’s second boyfriend. A complete opposite from Dean, Jess is eclectic, mysterious and a book worm. But like Dean, he is completely in love with Rory. When Jess isn’t able to buy prom tickets for Rory after flunking out of school, he takes off for California…without saying goodbye. That’s not the last time we see Jess, however. When he returns in season five, he presents Rory with a book he wrote. He is the one who ultimately convinces her to take a look at her life and return to Yale. Jess is the one who causes Rory to take control of her life again, and therefore is a huge part of her life.
1) Lorelei
Lorelei Gilmore is Rory’s rock. She is so much more than her mother – Lorelei and Rory are best friends. Lorelei always tells Rory that she can be whoever she wants to be, and this mom gives her daughter everything she can. Besides her name, caffeine addiction, eating habits and movie tastes, Lorelei teaches Rory so many life lessons.
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