It may be unusual to devote an "In the Limelight" feature to a series regular on a popular TV show, but if you are like me, you have no idea in which TV series Scott Patterson appeared besides Gilmore Girls. You don't know if he ever was in movies or did theater work, etc.

Since Gilmore Girls is ending forever (sniff), I guess it's time we get to know Patterson a bit more as it may help us prepare for what he'll do next.

Sure, it's an unlikely pair.

Stars Hollow inn proprietor Lorelai Gilmore and Los Angeles counter-terrorism agent extraordinaire Jack Bauer. But the pop culture savvy Gilmore Girls writers found a way to link the two characters.

In a promo for next week's Gilmore Girls -- where Lorelai tries to reconcile with her former fiance Luke Danes -- she decides to bring Luke with her while she shops for a new car.

When the jaunt gets a bit tense and the two bicker like they used to do in previous seasons, Lorelai gets on her omnipresent cell phone and suggests that Jack Bauer should use car shopping with an ex as a way to torture terrorists.

[Via 24headquarters.]

Anyone remember when Scott Patterson -- currently playing Luke Danes on Gilmore Girls -- played Elaine's "spongeworthy" boyfriend on Seinfeld? Well, that was probably Patterson's first big role, but it didn't exactly start the money rolling in. In fact, according to this New York Daily News article, Patterson's earnings in the two years before he got the Gilmore part were $23,000 and $33,000 (yikes -- he made that little money despite his high profile roles? Shows you how hard it is out there if you don't have a regular series).

But seven years on a hit show has Patterson in the money. But he didn't always spend it well. The article details some of the mistakes Patterson made at first -- he lost a bundle on eToys stock, for instance -- before seeking the help of former actor and current financial planner Jeffery Fishman. Now, he's actively involved in planning for his future, whether the acting jobs continue or not.

By the way, Patterson is 47. Wow. Didn't realize he was that old (I figured he was closer to 40). At least we know the guy takes care of himself.

[via Pop Candy]