Gilmore Girls has an interesting cast of characters who display various types of intelligence. Some are more book smart than street smart, some aren't huge fans of sitting down with a stack of novels, and others display a sharp wit that suggests they've definitely got a lot going on upstairs.
Who is the smartest character on the popular show about a mother and daughter who live in a small town (and eat a lot of junk food and drink tons of caffeine)? And who doesn't seem like they're that bright? Here is every main character on Gilmore Girls, ranked by intelligence.
Logan Huntzberger
Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry) may be a major love interest of Rory Gilmore's (Alexis Bledel), but, when fans stop and think about it, he's really not that smart. He makes tons of stupid choices over the years because he's trying to get back at his father for not paying enough attention to him.
While that makes sense, he acts so immaturely—especially as a member of Yale's Life and Death Brigade—that he just doesn't seem like he's a match for intelligent Rory. He also spends a lot of time smirking, which doesn't exactly suggest that he's thinking deep thoughts.
Dean Forester
Even those on Team Dean (played by Jared Padalecki) can admit that he doesn't seem like a very intelligent person. He thinks it's great that Rory reads and is so curious about the world, but he doesn't share those same thoughts and feelings, and he often seems content to live a simple life instead. He seems a little bit smarter than Logan, but he's still not up to Rory's standards.
Paris Geller
Paris Geller (Liza Weil) is basically the definition of book smart. She reads a ton and can rattle off poetry (especially Shakespeare's) like no problem, but, when it comes to friendships and romantic relationships, she's totally left in the dark.
Because Paris has a mean streak and often thinks that competition is more important than kindness, that doesn't make her very intelligent. She's higher up on this list for a reason.
Richard Gilmore
Richard Gilmore (Edward Herrmann) loves his granddaughter Rory and constantly gives her books and money (for future trips), but he doesn't really seem like the smartest person on the show.
He reads a lot, but he seems to know a lot about very specific things such as history, economics, and the places that he has traveled to. He's not sure how to be a good father as he doesn't treat Lorelai well, and, at times, he's not super nice to his wife, either. Richard can be stubborn and pretentious.
Sookie St. James
Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy) is definitely a beloved part of Gilmore Girls. She and Lorelai are best friends, and she's responsible for keeping their various inns stocked with delicious food and baked goods. She also keeps Lorelai in coffee during working hours, which is necessary.
Sookie has a reputation for being ditzy and flaky, but she's got a good soul. She doesn't act street smart or book smart, though, and she sometimes seems like she's confused by the discussion that she's in the middle of. She's ranked at number eight out of the 12 main characters on the show in terms of intelligence.
Michel Gerard
Michel Gerard (Yanic Truesdale) is someone who has a lot of emotional intelligence, winning him the number seven place on this list.
He feels everything deeply, and that's why he gets hurt so often, like when it seems like Lorelai doesn't want to spend as much time with him anymore. While he might seem snarky and irritating at times, his heart is in the right place. Michel knows that dealing with the public at his hospitality job can be tough, like at the beginning of the show when he says he can't answer the phone because people aren't being smart.
Luke Danes
Luke Danes (Scott Patterson) has his moments of being kind of ditzy, especially about matters of the heart. He might not be smart enough to realize that he should hold onto Lorelai and not let go, at least until the revival, but the rest of the time, he's pretty smart.
Luke is number six on the list because his stubbornness can make him closed off to new things and experiences. It's not always that smart for someone to think that they know everything and shouldn't try anything new. But, at the end of the day, Luke runs his own business, treats people well, and can hold an intelligent conversation.
Lane Kim
Lane Kim (Keiko Agena) takes the number five spot on this list. There are times when she seems super smart, like when she knows that her mom is too rigid and strict and it's not fair for her creative expression to be limited. She can also go on long rants about the music that she loves, and she always sounds smart when she talks.
Other times, Lane can complain a lot, but, then again, she's a typical teenager in many ways, so fans can forgive her for that.
Emily Gilmore
Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) wins the number four spot on this list because she's much smarter than she might appear at first. While her life seems to be all about keeping up appearances and throwing parties (and firing maids), she's got a good instinct for what people want and need.
For example, Emily can tell that Luke and Lorelai want to be together in the first season, even before other people start noticing their flirtation. Emily feels things strongly and she's as clever and witty as her daughter.
Jess Mariano
Jess Mariana (Milo Ventimiglia) is definitely a super-intelligent character on Gilmore Girls. By his teenage years, he's figured out that grown-ups don't always know what's right for their children, and he knows that he's smarter than his parents who don't know how to raise him properly and give him the love that he deserves.
Jess is as fast-talking as Lorelai, and he and Rory work so well together because they can chat for hours about books and life.
Rory Gilmore
Even though many Gilmore Girls fans would consider Rory Gilmore the most intelligent character on the series—especially since the other residents of Stars Hollow would probably say that—the top spot is actually reserved for someone else.
Rory is very smart, though, which puts her at number two on this list. She knows that her future is crucial, she studies hard, she reads as much as she can, and she tries her best to be a good daughter, granddaughter, and friend. She's one of those people who can study, ace a test, and then remember everything that she learned.
Lorelai Gilmore
Lorelai is the most intelligent character on Gilmore Girls because she has a deep understanding of other people. When she's mad at her parents, it's because she knows why they're acting the way that they are, and, when Rory gets under her skin, it's because she knows what is best for her daughter.
Lorelai's quick wit is never far behind, and she can't have a regular conversation full of small talk. That definitely isn't in her wheelhouse. Lorelai might not consider herself all that smart, but she should give herself more credit.