Beloved Gilmore Girls star Milo Ventimiglia, known for portraying Jess Mariano, was hilariously out of the loop regarding a recent Panera campaign that reunited his former co-stars Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) and Matt Czuchry (Logan Huntzberger). Citing life with a newborn daughter, Ventimiglia admitted he “had no idea” about the ad that playfully referenced all three of Rory Gilmore’s iconic boyfriends, underscoring the enduring appeal and cultural resonance of the classic series 25 years on.
For dedicated fans of Gilmore Girls, the recent Panera advertisement featuring Jared Padalecki and Matt Czuchry was a delightful dose of nostalgia. The commercial, released in September 2025, brought together two of Rory Gilmore’s most significant love interests, Dean Forester and Logan Huntzberger, to promote the chain’s fall soup menu. What made the reunion even more amusing was the clever way it alluded to Rory’s third major boyfriend, Jess Mariano, played by Milo Ventimiglia.
However, as it turns out, the actor behind the “brooding, mysterious” Jess was entirely unaware of this charming reunion. In an exclusive interview with People, Milo Ventimiglia, 48, expressed genuine surprise when asked about his absence from the ad. “There was a Panera commercial?” he responded, adding, “I’ve got a newborn daughter, I live under a rock. I had no idea.” Ventimiglia welcomed his first baby with wife Jarah Mariano earlier this year, a joyful event that evidently kept him blissfully disconnected from pop culture news, as reported by People.
The Panera Ad: A Clever Nod to Rory’s Love Interests
The Panera campaign brilliantly tapped into the long-standing “Team Dean,” “Team Jess,” and “Team Logan” debates that have defined Gilmore Girls fandom for decades. Jared Padalecki and Matt Czuchry highlighted different qualities of Panera’s fall soups, playfully mirroring their characters’ personalities:
- The Fireside Chilli was dubbed the “reliable one” that “tastes like home,” perfectly aligning with Dean Forester, Rory’s sweet and dependable high school boyfriend.
- For a “more sophisticated” option, they turned to the Autumn Squash Soup, reminiscent of Logan Huntzberger, Rory’s wealthy and charming college beau.
- And, of course, the “brooding, mysterious” Black Bean Soup was a clear and humorous allusion to Jess Mariano, the intellectual and rebellious bad boy.
Upon learning that his character was referenced, Ventimiglia found it amusing. “Oh, that’s funny,” he told People. “I’ll have to look it up. Those guys are both so lovely, such lovely dudes. I miss them. I definitely do miss them.”
The Enduring Legacy of ‘Gilmore Girls’
The reunion and subsequent buzz highlight the incredible longevity and impact of Gilmore Girls, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. The show, which originally ran from 2000 to 2007, continues to captivate new audiences, a fact not lost on its stars.
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Milo Ventimiglia in ‘Gilmore Girls’
Milo Ventimiglia reflected on this phenomenon, noting how his goddaughter and her friends constantly reference lines from Jess. “I think that’s a pretty special thing for a series to be able to have that longevity, and especially with a new crowd and inspiring young girls to go to school and educate and read and live kind of a Rory life,” he shared. He also praised creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino for their amazing writing.
Similarly, Matt Czuchry also spoke to People about the show’s enduring appeal, citing fan events, media coverage, and even “kids named Logan and tattoos about the Life and Death Brigade” as proof of its profound connection with audiences. This secret society at Yale University, depicted in the show, remains a beloved detail among fans.
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Matt Czuchry in ‘Gilmore Girls’
From Stars Hollow to New Projects: The Actors Today
While the reunion in the Panera ad was light-hearted, the actors have come a long way since their days in Stars Hollow. Jared Padalecki, born July 19, 1982, rose to further fame as Sam Winchester in the hit TV series Supernatural, which ran for an impressive fifteen seasons, making it the longest-running North American sci-fi series in history. He later headlined the reboot series Walker, which concluded in 2024 after four seasons, and is set to guest star on The Boys in 2026 and Fire Country in 2024.
Milo Ventimiglia‘s career has also flourished, notably with his starring role in the acclaimed drama This Is Us. His latest project, I Can Only Imagine 2, is slated to hit theaters in February 2026. The fact that these actors, two decades after first appearing on Gilmore Girls, are still active and reuniting (even if one wasn’t aware!) speaks volumes about their careers and the unforgettable mark the show left on television history.
Fans can revisit the magic of Stars Hollow as Gilmore Girls is available to stream on Netflix, allowing both old and new audiences to fall in love with Rory, Lorelai, and their captivating love stories all over again.
