When you think of Chicago Fire, the name Taylor Kinney instantly comes to mind. For more than a decade, the actor has brought firefighter Kelly Severide to life — a character who’s as heroic as he is complicated. But long before Kinney became the heartthrob of Firehouse 51, he was just a Pennsylvania kid trying to make enough money for pizza and a Blockbuster rental.
Now, in a rare and candid new interview, Kinney opens up about his humble beginnings, his first-ever job, and even the story behind his very first on-screen kiss — which, according to him, didn’t quite make the final cut.
“Thanks, Old Ladies!” — Kinney’s Hilarious First Job
Before scripts, red carpets, and firehouse sets, Taylor Kinney had a gig that might surprise you. His first job? Caddying for older women at a golf course. Sounds glamorous, right? Kinney paints a very different picture.
“I carried golf clubs for older women who didn’t know how to play golf,” he recalled with a laugh. “It was frustrating, but I would make enough money to buy a medium, thin-crust pizza from Pizza Hut and rent a Blockbuster movie for a Saturday night. Thanks, old ladies!”
It’s the kind of nostalgic story that makes you realize even TV’s biggest stars started somewhere ordinary — and often a little quirky.
Landing the Role That Changed Everything
Kinney revealed that his audition for Chicago Fire was far from nerve-wracking. In fact, he approached it with confidence and calm.
“My first audition for Chicago Fire? I was in the circuit of auditioning a lot, so I was decent at it,” he said. “I remember never having any anxiety. I was excited about it, and then you kind of leave it up to the powers that be.”
That laid-back attitude clearly worked. Soon after, Kinney secured the role of Kelly Severide — a character that has since become a staple of NBC’s One Chicago universe and a fan favorite for 12 seasons and counting.
The Kiss That Didn’t Make the Cut
When it comes to firsts, Kinney didn’t shy away from sharing a funny memory about his first on-screen kiss — though fans never got to see it.
He teased in the video interview that the scene was ultimately cut, possibly due to awkwardness or timing, but left viewers curious about what really happened on that set. “We definitely need to see the behind-the-scenes footage from that shoot,” he joked.
What’s Next for Severide?
While Kinney enjoys reflecting on his past, fans are laser-focused on his present — specifically, where Severide’s storyline is headed. Season 11 of Chicago Fire ended on a tense note for the firefighter and his wife, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), after his sudden disappearance to pursue an arson case. Season 12 brought him back, but their relationship is still recovering from the strain.
Meanwhile, drama brews elsewhere at Firehouse 51, with showrunners teasing more chaos involving Emma Jacobs and Violet Mikami’s ruthless voice-recording stunt. And if that’s not enough, a notorious villain is making a comeback on Chicago P.D., promising crossover-level intensity.
Why Fans Can’t Get Enough of Kinney
What makes Taylor Kinney so magnetic isn’t just his on-screen heroics or piercing blue eyes — it’s his authenticity. From hauling golf bags for a few bucks to leading one of NBC’s most successful dramas, Kinney’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and good humor.
As he continues to navigate Severide’s next chapter, fans can’t help but root for the man who still remembers how much a Pizza Hut pie and a Blockbuster night meant to him.
