- Kelly appeared in the movie Step Out of Your Mind (1966) as Missy Linden.
- Kelly's ex-husband is Peter Miller.
- Kelly moved to New York City at 18 and joined the Corps de Ballet at Radio City Music Hall.
- In 1998, Kelly replaced Carole Shelley (who in turn had replaced Dana Ivey) in the Tony-winning play "The Last Night of Ballyhoo".
- Kelly is the daughter of Lawrence Boden Bishop and Jane Lenore Bishop.
- Kelly's first Broadway role was in Golden Rainbow in 1967.
- Kelly's extensive theater credits include playing the lead in the Broadway production of Six Degrees of Separation, as well as starring in Broadway productions of The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Bus Stop and Precious Sons.
- Kelly has played 'mom' to many high-profile stars such as Toby Maguire, Jennifer Grey, Howard Stern, Lisa Ann Walter, and most recently, Lauren Graham.
- Kelly was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado but moved to Denver, Colorado, where she spent the rest of her youth, when she was young.
- Kelly's first job was dancing in a year-round ballet company at Radio City Music Hall.
- Kelly's breakout role was her performance as one of the original cast members of A Chorus Line.
- Kelly has played two different roles on the soap, One Life to Life. She played Serena Wyman in 1989 and Dr. Robbins in 1996.
- During her teenage years, Kelly trained to be a ballet dancer.
- Kelly is a supporter of the Jersey Animal Coalition.
- Kelly's best known TV role is that of Emily Gilmore on Gilmore Girls.
- Kelly was nominated in 2003 and 2004 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Comedy or Musical at the Globe Satellite Awards.
- Kelly is an animal enthusiast.
- In 1976, Kelly won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her role in A Chorus Line.
- She has been married since 1981 to Lee Leonard. Lee Leonard is an anchor person for ESPN.
- Kelly enjoys aerobics, pilates, hiking and gardening.
- Kelly: (What drew her to Gilmore Girls) The pilot was simply the best script I ever read.
- Kelly: (About her current character on Gilmore Girls) I would never be Emily's friend in real life. She's so opinionated and status quo - definitely not my kind of woman.
- Kelly: I have played a couple of nice moms in my career but, in my opinion, playing nice is a complete bore! The nastier they are the more fun they are.
- Kelly: My friends and neighbors get such a kick out of watching me on television and in movies. They see me do and say things that I would never even think of doing in my real life. They just think it is hysterical, especially when I play mean.
- Kelly: My relationship with Lauren is nothing like the roles we play on the show. I am just crazy about my girls. Practically from the moment [Lauren and I] met, we had an instant connect. We never even had to discuss what we wanted to do with our roles. It's as if we have this emotional shorthand.
