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Gilmore Girls and A Chorus Line Star Kelly Bishop to Publish Memoir (Exclusive)
The Tony Award-winning actress will publish her memoir, ‘The Third Gilmore Girl,’ this fall

Kelly Bishop is pulling back the curtain on her life.

The acclaimed stage and screen actress announced the forthcoming publication of her memoir exclusively with PEOPLE. The Third Gilmore Girl — a reference to Bishop’s role on the beloved TV show Gilmore Girls — will be published this fall by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

"From my first steps onto a Broadway stage, to the town of Stars Hollow, I am excited to take my fans along with me through the story of my life,” Bishop, 79, says in a statement.

Kelly Bishop book annoucement
'The Third Gilmore Girl' by Kelly Bishop. GALLERY BOOKS
The Third Gilmore Girl will see Bishop sharing behind-the-scenes stories and life lessons that she’s learned from her years in show business. Born Carole Bishop, she started her career as a dancer. After appearing in Broadway shows like Golden Rainbow; Promises, Promises and On The Town, Bishop originated the role of Sheila Bryant in the groundbreaking musical A Chorus Line. The role was largely based on Bishop’s own life, and would earn her the 1976 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

The actress is also a beloved figure onscreen, having appeared in films like Dirty Dancing as Marjorie Housman, mother to Jennifer Grey’s character Baby. Bishop is also well known for her role as Emily Gilmore, the old-money matriarch on Gilmore Girls, which aired from 2000 to 2007 on the WB and CW.

Emily Gilmore in Jeans?! Kelly Bishop Was Just as Surprised As You Were About the 'Gilmore Girls' Trailer
Bishop reprised the role in the 2016 Netflix reboot Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and would later guest star in Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino’s new show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Publicity Still from Gilmore Girls Kelly Bishop circa 2001
Kelly Bishop in 'Gilmore Girls'. FRANK OCKENFELS/ALAMY
Kelly Bishop Joins Season 4 of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' as Guest Star
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The Third Gilmore Girl will also offer fans a more intimate look into Bishop’s life. The author will reflect upon her marriages, including the loss of her second husband to cancer and the career moments that shaped her.

The book is set to be a “rich, genuine celebration” of Bishop’s life, per the book’s description.

"Kelly Bishop’s long career in show business includes so many indelible moments and characters, and I’m thrilled to be the one to bring her whole life’s story to her countless fans,” says editor Hannah Braaten.

The Third Gilmore Girl will hit shelves on September 17, 2024.