Andrew Rannells has confirmed that his short-lived relationship with Anderson Cooper in his twenties was the inspiration behind a storyline on the HBO series Girls, E!
- June 16, 2026
AceShowbiz - Andrew Rannells has confirmed that his short-lived relationship with Anderson Cooper in his twenties was the inspiration behind a storyline on the HBO series Girls, E! News reports. The actor revealed that he shared details of his romance with the show's creators, Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner, which led to a fictionalized version of the relationship being portrayed on the show.
Us Weekly also noted that Andrew Rannells described the romance as very brief, and that the storyline involved his character, Elijah Krantz, dating a news anchor named Dill Harcourt, played by Corey Stoll. Yahoo further explained that the relationship between Elijah and Dill in season 5 reflected the age difference and differing life stages that contributed to the couple’s breakup. Both E! News and Us Weekly pointed out that Anderson Cooper himself dated Benjamin Maisani from 2014 to 2019, with whom he co-parents two sons. Starmagazine adds that fans had speculated for years about the Dill character's real-life inspiration, but it was only recently that Rannells publicly confirmed the link to Cooper.
In a post on his own YouTube channel, Andrew Rannells shared that his experience with Anderson Cooper not only inspired the storyline but also helped shape the character Dill Harcourt’s persona on the show. He conveyed that while the relationship was short, it left enough of an impression to influence the writers' portrayal of the romance.
Andrew Rannells is best known for his acclaimed role as Elder Kevin Price in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon (2011), and he has built a diverse career across stage and screen with over 30 credits. He starred as Elijah on Girls from 2012 to 2019, earning a Critics' Choice nomination for his work. Rannells has also been in a relationship with actor Tuc Watkins since 2019.
This revelation sheds light on how real-life experiences can directly influence television storytelling, providing fans with a deeper understanding of the connections between actors' personal lives and their characters. It also puts to rest long-standing fan theories about the inspiration behind one of Girls' most memorable relationships, highlighting the interplay between art and reality in popular culture.
This article is based on reporting originally published by E! News.
