While the main characters on Gilmore Girls are the most memorable, given how much fans enjoy Rory and Lorelai's movie and junk food nights and Luke's diner, the secondary characters make an impact, too.
The banter between Rory and Lorelai and the way that they help each other through life will always be a reason to watch the show, but the minor characters are worth talking about, too. From some key Stars Hollow residents to two of Lorelai's main love interests, these people drive the plot forward and can be funny, too.
Kirk Gleason
Kirk is one of the most impactful minor characters on the show as he's the most recognizable and passionate person living in Stars Hollow.
What he lacks in a full-time career he makes up for in determination and odd jobs, and in some beloved Gilmore Girls episodes about Kirk, his character arc is explored, as he falls in love with Lulu, adopts a cat, and hangs out with Lorelai. While it's easy to underestimate Kirk and think that he's just another quirky character, he's comfortable being a little strange and he likes his little Stars Hollow bubble. Luke and Lorelai take care of him a lot, which helps them develop their compassion and appreciate their town even more.
Taylor Doose
As the town selectman and owner of Doose's Market, Taylor has his hand in everything that goes on in Stars Hollow, and he's a secondary character who shows up in many Gilmore Girls episodes.
Taylor has a huge influence on the other characters, as his desire to get them involved in town business helps them examine their lives. While Lorelai gets annoyed at town meetings, she loves being a part of something, as she left home as a teenage mom and has finally found a place where she belongs. Luke pretends to hate Taylor but secretly loves sparring with him and Taylor inspires him to buy the building next to his diner. Taylor has an impact on Rory, too; when she says that she can't be the Ice Cream Queen, she wonders how she can balance her college and home lives.
Max Medina
While Lorelai's engagement to Max doesn't work out, and he teaches Rory English at Chilton for a short period of time, he has a big impact on both of these characters.
Max's presence in Lorelai's life makes her realize that she deserves to feel head-over-heels about someone and that if she's going to uproot her cozy world with Rory, it's going to be for true love. She likes the idea of being married and having a partner, but it has to be totally right. Max also pushes and inspires Rory to study hard and not expect to always make good grades, as he gives her a D in season 1.
Mrs. Kim
While other characters like Zack and Brian teach Lane a lot about herself and what she wants for her future, her mom definitely has the biggest influence on her.
Mrs. Kim's strict rules inspire Lane to keep her life secret, and as she hides her clothing style, love of music, and junk food consumption, she explores who she wants to be. Lane's story moves forward when her mom learns her secret and she moves out, marries Zack, and they start a family.
Mitchum Huntzberger
Rory's internship at Logan's father's newspaper is life-changing, but not in the way that Rory expects, making him another secondary character who has a huge impact on Gilmore Girls.
Of all the criticism that fans have for Rory, one that stands out is how she responds to Mitchum. She's emotional and believes that he's totally right instead of taking a careful look at what she really wants to do for work. If Mitchum hadn't made these comments, Rory wouldn't have stolen a boat and dropped out of Yale.
Babette
Lorelai's next-door neighbor Babette is a beloved secondary character who teaches Lorelai a lesson about self-confidence.
In the season 1 episode 'Cinnamon's Wake,' Babette explains that she wasn't sure anyone could love her before meeting Morey, and while she doesn't believe that Lorelai worries about finding love as well, fans realize that Lorelai actually has many insecurities and fears surrounding dating and finding a life partner. This conversation affects her a lot as she wonders if she'll ever be in love.
Miss Patty
Everyone in Stars Hollow knows and loves the music teacher Miss Patty as she inspires kids to express their creativity.
Miss Patty has a big influence in the season 1 episode 'Rory's Dance' as she finds Rory and Dean asleep in her dance studio. She wakes them up and it's an incredibly awkward moment, made worse by Emily and Lorelai's anger when Rory gets back home. This fight is memorable and meaningful, as Lorelai has to face some hard facts. Miss Patty is also always around with a warm word for anyone who needs it.
Michel Gerard
Lorelai and Michel become close friends after years of working together, making him an influential person in her world.
Lorelai can always count on Michel to do a great job, even if he makes some sarcastic comments when dealing with customers, and it means a lot to him when she and Sookie want him to work at the Dragonfly Inn. Michel's significance lies in the lesson that he teaches Lorelai in A Year In The Life: that she can't take anyone or anything for granted, as he knows that it's time for him to move on. Their dreams aren't the same and he wants more.
Christopher Hayden
Rory's dad Christopher can be seen as "The One That Got Away" in some aspects, and he's the secondary character who changes Lorelai's life the most.
Whenever Lorelai starts a new relationship, she always has Christopher in the back of her mind, and she wonders if he's her one true love and the person who understands her the most. It's hard for her to let go of their bond as teenagers and their desire to get away from their wealthy families. Christopher also makes it tough for Lorelai and Luke to finally commit, as she clearly still has feelings for him. It makes sense that Lorelai and Christopher get divorced, and fans are glad when Lorelai puts aside her past and realizes that Luke is her romantic future.
April Nardini
Even though April isn't a main character on Gilmore Girls, her introduction leads to the big Luke/Lorelai break-up in season 7.
April's impact is massive, and fans find it confusing and disappointing that Luke doesn't want Lorelai to be part of his daughter's life. While she helps with a birthday party, Luke is very reluctant, and when Lorelai sleeps with Christopher, they have too many obstacles to stay together. If April hadn't appeared on the series, would they have gotten married when they planned? Not every Gilmore Girls viewer likes April's storyline, but her influence can't be ignored.