Life after "Gilmore Girls"

Lauren Graham tests the Hollywood waters in "Evan Almighty."

By Kevin Maynard

Let's make this perfectly clear: Lauren Graham is not Lorelai Gilmore, the ultra-quippy, fast-talking, B&B-running single mom of TV's "Gilmore Girls" fame. At least, she's not a single mom running a B&B. But that breathless banter? Pure Graham.

"I'm wearing workout clothes because I just ran 3 miles," the blue-eyed brunette says apologetically over her arugula salad and vegetarian pea soup at a trendy L.A. organic lunch spot. "I hate to be like the typical Hollywood health freak. I should have some protein, but I had a big steak last night. But, honestly, this is the business I'm in."

Next weekend, Graham hits the big screen as Steve Carell's wife in "Evan Almighty," the sequel to the 2003 hit "Bruce Almighty." Morgan Freeman reprises his role as God and enlists Carell to build a Noah's ark for the 21st century.

The film, dubbed by bloggers as "The Most Expensive Comedy Story Ever Told," was said to cost an epic $175 million. Its release culminates a year of big changes for Graham. In March, she turned 40 in style with a big party and a big Van Cleef & Arpels clover-shaped ring from her father. "I don't feel 40, but I am," she says. "So I might as well suck it up and deal, right?"

Then, two months later, her cult hit TV series "Gilmore Girls" bade a fond farewell to prime time. After seven seasons, the actress admits that she's relieved. "After 14-hour days," she says, "finding a job that has a little more freedom ... sounds amazing."

And a partner? Despite being linked to actors like old friend Matthew Perry ("We're so not") and Marc Blucas (of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Graham insists she's single. She offers up that a year ago she ended a relationship with a non-actor ("yes, a civilian") that was on-and-off for six years.

"I don't have every area of my life figured out," Graham confesses, "but I'm really enjoying my life right now." She pauses, then adds: "This is sounding demented, like 'I'm totally happy! I don't need anyone!' Which isn't the case. But I'm at a time where I don't want to date casually anymore. I guess I'm in a more serious place, and maybe now I'll finally have time for that."