Lauren Helen Graham (born March 16, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA) is an American actress. She grew up in Northern Virginia outside Washington, DC.

Graham graduated from Barnard College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and from Southern Methodist University in 1992 with a master's degree in acting.

She is best known for her role as Lorelai Gilmore on the television show Gilmore Girls (2000-present). She has also appeared in the movies Bad Santa, The Pacifier and Sweet November. In addition, she has appeared on the hit comedy Seinfeld (as one of Jerry's dates), as well as on Newsradio and Law & Order.