Natalie Bledel (born September 16, 1981, in Houston, Texas) is an American actress and model whose captivating screen presence transitioned seamlessly from the charming world of Stars Hollow to the chilling dystopia of Gilead. While sometimes mistakenly called “Nanette,” her journey is defined by intelligence, subtlety, and a remarkable ability to embody complex characters.
Early Life and Modelling:
Born to a Chilean mother and an American father, Bledel’s striking blue eyes and unique beauty were evident early. Homeschooled, she was initially shy but found herself thrust into the modeling world at 14 after being scouted at a local mall. Her modeling career took her internationally, appearing in campaigns for brands like Christian Dior and appearing in magazines like Vogue. However, the acting bug bit, leading her to study acting in New York.
Breakout: Rory Gilmore (2000-2007; 2016):
Bledel landed her first professional acting role, and it became iconic: Rory Gilmore in Amy Sherman-Palladino’s beloved series Gilmore Girls. As the bookish, ambitious, and sometimes naive daughter to Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), Rory resonated deeply with audiences. Bledel perfectly captured Rory’s intelligence, vulnerability, and journey through high school, college, and early adulthood. The show’s witty dialogue and mother-daughter dynamic became cultural touchstones, cementing Bledel’s place in television history. She reprised the role in the Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016).
Beyond Stars Hollow:
Eager to avoid typecasting, Bledel deliberately chose diverse roles post-Gilmore Girls:
- Film: She appeared in the fantasy Tuck Everlasting (2002), the noir comic adaptation Sin City (2005), the romantic comedy The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) and its sequel (2008), and the indie drama Violet & Daisy (2011).
- Television: She showcased dramatic range as Beth Dawes in the final season of Mad Men (2014), portraying a young woman facing tragedy. She also starred in the short-lived but well-regarded series The Returned (2015).
Critical Acclaim: Ofglen/Emily in The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-Present):
Bledel’s career reached a new peak with her chilling portrayal of Ofglen (later revealed as Emily Malek) in Hulu’s critically acclaimed adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale. Her performance as a lesbian professor forced into sexual servitude in the totalitarian regime of Gilead was devastatingly powerful. Bledel conveyed immense pain, simmering rage, and quiet resilience with minimal dialogue, often relying on her expressive eyes and physicality. This role earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2017. She became a series regular in subsequent seasons, exploring Emily’s harrowing journey of trauma, escape, and attempts at rebuilding in Canada, earning further award nominations.
Directing and Recent Work:
Demonstrating her growth behind the camera, Bledel made her directorial debut with the Season 4 episode “Milk” of The Handmaid’s Tale. She also starred in the Hulu true-crime miniseries Candy (2022) alongside Jessica Biel.
Personal Life:
Bledel is known for her fiercely private nature. She was married to actor Vincent Kartheiser (Pete Campbell from Mad Men) from 2014 to 2022. They have two children. She is an advocate for refugee rights and has worked with organizations like RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).
Legacy:
Natalie Bledel has evolved remarkably from America’s sweetheart as Rory Gilmore to delivering one of television’s most haunting performances in The Handmaid’s Tale. Her talent lies in her intelligence, subtlety, and ability to convey profound depth beneath a calm exterior. Whether navigating the cozy chaos of Stars Hollow or the brutal oppression of Gilead, Bledel consistently delivers performances that resonate with authenticity and emotional truth.
FAQs
Q: Is her name Natalie or Nanette?
A: Her legal name is Natalie Bledel. “Nanette” is a common misspelling or misremembering of her name, likely stemming from its similar sound. Always refer to her as Natalie Bledel.
Q: What is Natalie Bledel best known for?
A: She is best known for two iconic television roles:
- Rory Gilmore in Gilmore Girls (2000-2007, 2016).
- Ofglen/Emily Malek in The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-Present), for which she won an Emmy Award.
Q: Where is Natalie Bledel from? What’s her background?
A: She was born in Houston, Texas. Her mother is from Chile (making Natalie half-Chilean and fluent in Spanish), and her father is American.
Q: Was she really a model?
A: Yes. She began an international modeling career at age 14 after being scouted in a Houston shopping mall. She modeled for several years before transitioning into acting.
Q: Did she have any acting training before Gilmore Girls?
A: Very little. She studied acting briefly with acting coaches in New York City after deciding to pursue it professionally. Gilmore Girls was her first major acting role.
Q: Is she related to Alexis Bledel?
A: No, they are not related. This is a common misconception due to their similar-sounding last names (though spelled differently: Bledel vs. Bledel). Alexis Bledel is also an actress known for Gilmore Girls and The Handmaid’s Tale, but they are different people. Natalie is the Rory Gilmore actress.
Q: Why did she leave Gilmore Girls?
A: She didn’t “leave” during the original run; she starred in all seven seasons (2000-2007). The show ended after its seventh season. She returned for the 2016 Netflix revival, A Year in the Life. After the original series, she actively sought different roles to avoid being typecast as Rory.
Q: Who is she married to? Does she have kids?
A: She was married to actor Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men) from 2014 to 2022. They have two children together. She is very private about her family life.
Q: What awards has she won?
A: Her most significant award is the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (2017) for her role in the first season of The Handmaid’s Tale. She has also received multiple nominations for this role, including as a Supporting Actress, and won several other industry awards (like the Critics’ Choice Award) for The Handmaid’s Tale.
Q: Has she directed anything?
A: Yes! She made her directorial debut with the Season 4 episode titled “Milk” of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Q: What else has she been in besides Gilmore Girls and Handmaid’s Tale?
A: Notable works include:
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) & The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008) – Lena Kaligaris
- Sin City (2005) – Becky
- Mad Men (Season 7, 2014) – Beth Dawes
- The Returned (2015 TV Series) – Rowan Blackshaw
- Candy (2022 Miniseries) – Betty Gore
Q: Is she active on social media?
A: No. Natalie Bledel is famously private and does not maintain any public social media profiles.