Liz Torres Of 'Gilmore Girls' Inspires Many With Transformational Weight Loss Journey And Flaunts Her New Body

Jun 12, 2023 by apost team

The American comedy-drama "Gilmore Girls" aired from Oct. 5, 2000, to May 15, 2007. It began airing on The WB, becoming the network's flagship series, before its final season, in which it moved to The CW. The Amy Sherman-Palladino-created series was critically acclaimed due to its appeal to multiple generations, witty dialogue, and a balanced and compelling mix of drama and humor. 

"Gilmore Girls," tells the story of a single mother, Lorelai Gilmore, and her smart teenage daughter, Rory Gilmore. Mother and daughter had big dreams they wanted to achieve. The intellectual Rory wanted to attend Harvard University, while her mom wanted to become an inn owner. In their quest to achieve their dreams, Rory and Lorelai must deal with the latter's parents, Emily and Richard Gilmore, who are wealthy and obsessed with appearances. 

Emily and Richard want to pay for their granddaughter's tuition at an exclusive private university in Hartford, Connecticut. However, they want Rory and Lorelai to come to their house for dinner every Friday night in return. Besides Rory and Lorelai's story, the series also delved into the love life of the latter's best friend, Lane Kim.

Many actors and actresses came together to make "Gilmore Girls" a huge success. These included Lauren Graham, who played Lorelai, Alexis Bledel, who portrayed Rory, and Keiko Agena as Lane. Besides the main cast, there were multiple recurring characters. Chief among these recurring characters was Liz Torres, who played Miss Patty, a friendly and kind town dance teacher. 

The beloved Torres caught the eye when she appeared in Netflix's "Gilmore Girls" revival miniseries, which debuted on Nov. 25, 2016, sporting a new look. Torres, who previously struggled with being overweight, flaunted her weight loss, much to fans' surprise. Learn more about Torres's inspirational weight loss journey below. 

Born on Sept. 27, 1947, in the Bronx, New York, Torres was born Elizabeth Larrieu Torres to parents of Puerto Rican descent and was raised in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. From a young age, she displayed a natural talent for performing, captivating those around her with her wit and vivacity. Despite facing the challenges that come with growing up in an underserved community, Torres's unwavering determination propelled her forward.

She began her career as a singer, captivating audiences with her powerhouse vocals. Torres's voice commanded attention, and her talent soon earned her a spot on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” This appearance marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career in the entertainment industry.

Torres's unique blend of humor, charm, and larger-than-life presence brought her to the attention of Broadway and television producers. She has appeared in numerous television series such as “Phyllis,” “The Famous Teddy Z,” “Tequila and Bonetti” and “The John Larroquette Show,” while on Broadway, she earned rave reviews for her roles in productions such as “The Ritz” and “Man of La Mancha.”

While Torres's success on stage was undeniable, it was her foray into television that would introduce her to a broader audience. In 2000, she secured a recurring role in the critically acclaimed television series "Gilmore Girls." Portraying the lovable dance instructor Miss Patty, Torres's infectious energy and impeccable comedic timing quickly made her a fan favorite.

As Miss Patty, Torres seamlessly blended comedy and heart, bringing a unique dimension to the beloved show. Her character became an essential part of the vibrant and quirky world of Stars Hollow, capturing the hearts of viewers around the globe. Torres's work on "Gilmore Girls" solidified her status as an iconic television actress.

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In 1996, Torres revealed some interesting insights into her personality to the Chicago Tribune. She cited Barbra Streisand as her favorite performer and the Tom Cruise-Brad Pitt blockbuster “Interview with the Vampire” as the last good film she had watched. She also shared that her grandmother had taught her French songs as “French was my first language, then Spanish, then English.” She also revealed that, while she considered “performing” to be something she’s better at than anyone else, she also considered throwing in the towel.

“I almost quit show business after my first divorce, in the '70s,” she told the outlet. Luckily for us, Torres carried on, and even found love again with a second husband. Two other interesting nuggets of information about the actress were who she would most like to meet – her answer was Abraham Lincoln – while she said a fantasy she’s had has been to be cinema icon Brigitte Bardot’s twin sister. 

When it came to her high school experience, Torres said she never felt like she had assimilated completely as a second-generation immigrant.

“(I was) A strange bird. I didn't speak English very well and my mother was very strict. I always wanted to be like an American and I never really felt like that until now. I always felt like an immigrant,” she said.

Torres added her mother didn’t quite help things by giving her the worst advice she’d ever received by suggesting she become a bank teller. “She had a fantasy of me working in a bank. That was her immigrant dream, the ultimate goal.”

Fortunately for us, Torres pursued her passion for the arts instead, leading to her roles in many beloved shows.

Torres was first introduced to much of the world through her role as Miss Patty in “Gilmore Girls.” Her portrayal of the flamboyant and lovable dance instructor added a vibrant and comedic element to the show's ensemble cast. There are several reasons why Torres's performance resonated so deeply with viewers. With her larger-than-life personality, quick wit and love for gossip, she became an integral part of the fictional town of Stars Hollow. Torres brought an infectious energy to the role, infusing it with her own charm and comedic timing, which made Miss Patty endearing and unforgettable.

In a show that often dealt with complex family dynamics and emotional storylines, Torres's character provided much-needed comic relief. Miss Patty's humorous anecdotes, exaggerated expressions and witty remarks brought levity to the show's narrative, lightening the mood and providing moments of laughter for the audience. While Miss Patty was primarily a source of comedic moments, Torres added depth and heart to the character. Through subtle nuances and occasional moments of vulnerability, she revealed the layers beneath Miss Patty's boisterous exterior, allowing viewers to connect with her on a deeper level.

Her chemistry with the rest of the cast was also palpable. Her interactions with Lorelai Gilmore and other key characters showcased a genuine camaraderie and established Miss Patty as an integral part of the tight-knit community. This chemistry contributed to the overall success of the show and the positive reception of her character.

As a Latina actress, Torres also brought diversity and representation to the show. Her performance resonated with viewers from diverse backgrounds, who appreciated seeing a character that reflected their own cultural heritage.

Torres described getting the role of Miss Patty as one of the highlights of her career, although there were some bumps in the road early on. She told Starry Mag she was cast in the show because she was acquainted with many of its producers, including showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino. 

“By the next time I saw Amy for this audition I had gained so much weight and I was very portly. I thought there was no way they were going to hire me to play a dance teacher and I went up to audition anyway because I loved Amy and I wanted to see her,” Torres shared.

“I knew that I was fat so I figured that was that. I thought I’d never see her again until they needed a fat person on something else. Well, the phone rang and I had gotten the part. I could not believe it!” she added.

When news surfaced that, nine years after the show’s initial run, “Gilmore Girls” was returning for a Netflix miniseries, Torres couldn’t wait to get back into her role. “They brought me back for two episodes and I was so happy to be on that set,” she told the outlet.

Torres also told TV Addict that returning to Stars Hollow was a walk in the park for her and explained:

“It’s a second skin for me, it doesn’t feel like I’m acting. Sally (Struthers) does a character and she puts a lot of energy into it, and I’m just Miss. Patty, I felt like I should’ve given Miss. Patty a little more color, and let the words carry me. I thought that Miss. Patty was a tough talking, showbiz broad, so I just really tried to sell the words.”

For many years, Torres struggled with being overweight and even accepted it so much that she described herself using those words. During the interview with the Chicago Tribune, Torres was asked one thing she wished she could stop and responded by saying: 

"Gaining weight." 

In another section of the interview, she was asked to describe herself in three words and said: 

"Funny, happy and overweight." 

Those responses showed Torres didn't like being overweight but had come to accept it. However, it bothered her so much as she began to lose her self-esteem. In a 1997 chat with the LA Times, Torres confessed that she was always striving to lose weight. She then went on to narrate one of her experiences with being overweight. The actress revealed: 

"And it's not a matter of wanting to be a size 3 again – I brought out my leotards and a friend thought they were doll clothes. Being heavy isn't good for you. How long can your heart take the strain? So, I never give up but it's hard. Being on the television show helped a lot."

Torres also shed light on how her size affected her Hollywood career, especially as she was of Latino heritage. She admitted that nobody looked at anyone who was overweight. Torres revealed: 

"When I got heavier – and being Hispanic on television is limiting – I played a lot of maids. I would go on the set, and people would not look at me. They also tend not to hear you. You have to make them focus on you. If I really want to be heard, I have that command but a lot of heavy women don't. When I see someone heavy working on television I say, "Oh, God, go, girl. You do it." You know, it shouldn't stop your life."

Besides the neglect she was receiving for her size in Hollywood, Torres also hated looking at fashion magazines because they featured dresses she couldn't see herself wearing due to her size. However, she knew being overweight took its toll on one's body and was determined to get to work on becoming healthier. 

The actress's weight loss journey began in 2006 when she realized she could no longer continue adding weight. However, it was in 2008 that she began significantly working on losing weight. After portraying Connie Solis in "Desperate Housewives," Torres started shedding excess weight gradually. However, she did so without letting go of the personality traits that defined her. 

Torres's weight loss was first noticed in 2010 when she appeared on the opening night of "It Must Be Him," looking unrecognizable. Her transformation was so great that some people felt she underwent gastric bypass surgery, while others said she took weight loss pills. However, that wasn't the case, as Torres's decision to stick to a low-calorie diet and exercise routines did the trick. 

Hence, when Netflix premiered the "Gilmore Girls" revival miniseries on Nov. 25, 2016, fans were surprised to see Torres reprising her role as Miss Patty. In addition, they were surprised that Miss Patty was no longer overweight but looked healthier and in shape. Torres's decision to become healthier had paid off, and she hadn't looked back since then. 

In the interview with Starry Mag, Torres, who inspired fans worldwide with her weight loss journey, expressed her delight about the show's return and thanked fans for bringing it back. She also hoped for the show's return to be permanent. While the show's return hasn't been made permanent, one that is definitely here to stay is a healthy-looking Miss Patty.

Do you remember Ms. Patty in Gilmore Girls? Did you enjoy watching her? What do you think about Liz Torres's weight loss transformation? Did it inspire you to do something you've always wanted to do? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends, family members, and fellow "Gilmore Girls" fans!