Gilmore Girls’ Scott Patterson on Identifying with Luke Danes, Photography, and More [Interview]

Gilmore Girls fans are still buzzing about the reunion that took place earlier this month in Austin, Texas, which featured a large majority of the cast along with Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino.

On the day of the event, I sat down with Scott Patterson, known for his role as Luke Danes, to talk about the reunion, favorite moments from the show, and life after Gilmore Girls.

Patterson was especially excited to be there for the fans. “These are the dreamers. These are the lovers. These are the beautiful souls that get touched so deeply,” he said.

“And that’s the thing about the show, is that they get moved on a very deep level. We could be in Season 15… we probably could have done the show for the rest of our natural lives, and there still would have been a fan base growing every year.”

But what would Luke Danes be up to if that were the case? Where would he be now, fifteen years later? Patterson had specific details for answering that question.

“Well, there are two answers to that. The first one is, he’s still there. He’s hanging in there. He’s grinding it out. Because he’s that guy. He’s the rock. He doesn’t change. And then the second answer is, his business failed. He moved 40 miles away. He has a diner and bait and tackle shop. And he fly fishes a couple times a week.”

As for a favorite moment on the show, it was hard for Patterson to decide (hey, it’s hard for us to decide, too). There are just so many to choose from.

“The moments I loved the most with each actor are obviously different. The moments with Lauren [Graham] always have to do with romance and love and reaching the pinnacle of the story arc. If she broke down on a bench and I supported her – I loved those moments, because they are such extraordinarily difficult scenes to do. And she does them so well. It makes it fun. Obviously the dancing. The flowers in her hair.”

Patterson also talked about the kinds of things that make the show special.

“Gilmore Girls was like laying in a meadow of daffodils on a summer day. You don’t see that anymore. It’s not risky. It’s not edgy. You know you’ll be treated well. The characters will treat you well if you invest the time.”

Gilmore Girls is a show that we can all identify with in some way.

“There’s a Kirk in every town. There’s a Babette in every town. There’s a Ms. Patti. There’s a Luke,” Patterson said. “[They are] unique, quirky characters who, at the end of the day, really love each other and are trying to figure out how to continue to love each other.”

Patterson said that the character of Luke Danes was one he knew he could play right away.

“I was burnt out. I was tired. I was tired of going to auditions and not getting the job. So, I was actually teaching acting at the time. And I was very busy, and I had a ton of students. I didn’t have time to go on auditions. I had three that day, and that was the second one. It just all worked. I liked Amy [Sherman-Palladino] right from the beginning, and it just all felt right,” Patterson explained.

“I strongly identified with the character right away. I knew I could do it. It resonated with me.”

Though Patterson has been busy with several other projects over the years, nothing can compare to being on Gilmore Girls. “I’ve never had the privilege of trying to tackle somebody else’s words the way I have with Amy Sherman-Palladino. I mean, it’s just a rare privilege in anyone’s career that they get to be on a show that long.”

But what Patterson is most excited about right now is his photography.

“Things are moving along toward a gallery show. So it’s quite stunning and shocking. And life-changing. I’ve never been this excited. I didn’t get into art school. I applied to the big art schools in New York, and I didn’t get in. I was crushed. That was all I wanted to do. Who would have thought that I’d be paid to create photos? I can’t even imagine. But it seems like it’s happening.”

If it does happen soon, Patterson said he’ll be both nervous and thrilled.

“I’ll be in tears the whole time. I’ll be a nervous wreck. I don’t know how I would get through it. I won’t believe it. I’ll be too excited to engage in it.”

“It’s not the interpretation of somebody else’s work, which I enjoy doing,” Patterson went on to explain.

“But with the photography, I created that mind, body, and soul. It’s mine, one-hundred percent. And that is exciting to me. It’s just so strange, because I wasn’t pursuing it. I wasn’t going to. I don’t think I had the confidence to just march into a gallery somewhere and say, ‘look at my work! Isn’t it brilliant? You must sign me!’”

He went on to say that of all the different things he’s done in life, this is what seems to fit the best.

“I operate best as an artist. I’ve tried many different things. I’ve worn many different hats in my life. I feel most comfortable as an artist. And that’s where I find the most interesting people.”

That isn’t all that’s keeping Patterson busy these days, though. He also has a one-year-old son. “He’s something. What a wonderful, life-changing thing. I can’t imagine why I waited so long.”

Patterson had one last message for the fans of Gilmore Girls, who he said are what has made being a part of the show so valuable. I really just want to say how much I love these fans. And how touched I am by all their kindness, and their thoughts, and their tweets. They’re very moving. That’s what makes it so satisfying. It’s not the money. It’s getting that exchange from a fan who’s affected by the work that you did. It’s a really nice way to live your life.”

*Edited for space and content.

You can read our recap of the Gilmore Girls reunion panel here.