Andrew Rannells casually dropped a very important dating lore, and thought we would idly scroll by…Gather around, everyone. The gay archives have received an important update.
Andrew Rannells recently revealed that he and journalist Anderson Cooper once shared a “very brief” romantic relationship, and suddenly a piece of LGBTQ+ pop culture history makes a lot more sense.
The revelation came during the May 28 episode of The Daily Beast’s Obsessed: The Podcast, where Rannells casually dropped a detail that immediately sent fans down memory lane.
And honestly, this is exactly the kind of celebrity gossip that feels less like gossip and more like an important cultural artifact.
Wait, That Actually Happened?
According to Rannells, he briefly dated Cooper when he was 25 years old, which would place the relationship sometime around 2004. The actor described the romance as short-lived, but what makes the story particularly fascinating is what happened afterward.
2 hours until the #GirlsFinale. Relive all the Dill and Elijah feels on @HBONOW. https://t.co/4ChxlPfhHZ pic.twitter.com/MfJ9SE8Gq7
— Girls (@girlsHBO) April 18, 2016
Years later, Rannells shared the experience with Girls creator Lena Dunham and co-creator Jenni Konner while discussing ideas for his fan favorite character, Elijah Krantz.
What started as a personal anecdote eventually became television.
Andrew Rannells spills on his relationship with Anderson Cooper when he was 25, which went on to inspire a storyline in HBO’s hit show ‘Girls.’
Watch the full interview here: https://t.co/JOBkCEGIfi pic.twitter.com/YCkY2N3mhl
— Daily Beast’s Obsessed (@beastobsessed) June 15, 2026
RELATED: Andrew Rannells Says He “Won the Gay Acting Lottery” Starring Opposite Who?
When Real Life Became a Storyline
Fans of Girls may remember Elijah’s memorable relationship with Dill Harcourt, a successful television news anchor whose dating life was considerably more complicated than Elijah initially realized.
As it turns out, that storyline was inspired by Rannells’ real experience.
“I told Lena [Dunham] and [co-creator] Jenni Konner a story about when I was 25 that I had dated Anderson Cooper, and I told them about the experience and what that was like,” Rannells explained on the podcast.
“Then it became the story that Elijah had in the series.”
Even Rannells seemed amused by the connection, adding, “That’s what I thought you were gonna ask about.”
Honestly, somewhere a television writer is nodding proudly. Why invent drama when your friends are already living it?
There’s more Elijah and Dill awaiting you tonight on #Girls. 👬
Watch the full preview: https://t.co/tGcBPNz39t pic.twitter.com/WQvFHlRYdl— Girls (@girlsHBO) April 3, 2016
Elijah Walked So Gay Twitter Could Run
Part of what makes the revelation so entertaining is how perfectly it fits into the mythology surrounding Elijah Krantz. The character quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his chaotic confidence, sharp one-liners, and ability to turn even the most ridiculous situations into comedy gold.
Learning that one of Elijah’s most memorable romantic storylines was rooted in Andrew’s actual dating history somehow makes the character even more iconic.
It is the kind of behind-the-scenes fact that fans will never be able to unlearn.
A Happy Ending for Everyone
While the Cooper chapter may have been brief, Andrew eventually found lasting love elsewhere.
The actor has been with fellow actor Tuc Watkins since 2019, and the pair have become one of the entertainment world’s most beloved LGBTQ+ couples.
As for Cooper, he has continued building his remarkable career in journalism while remaining one of the most recognizable figures in television news.
And thanks to Rannells’ latest podcast confession, we now know their paths crossed in a way that eventually inspired a memorable television storyline.
Sometimes the best gay history lessons arrive when you least expect them.
And sometimes they come courtesy of Andrew Rannells casually spilling a little tea on a podcast.