Behind the Scenes: The Real Lives of Chicago Fire’s Cast
Chicago Fire continues to sizzle with high-stakes rescues, heart-pounding action, and the undeniable chemistry of Firehouse 51’s team. Since its 2012 debut as the flagship of Dick Wolf’s One Chicago franchise — which also includes Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med — the series has captured audiences with both thrilling storylines and the personal dramas of its characters. Filmed at a real Chicago firehouse, the show has not only entertained millions but also mirrored real-life challenges, including the tragic passing of Dushon Monique Brown in 2018 and the departure of cast members such as Monica Raymund, Lauren German, and Charlie Barnett.
But what about the real lives of the actors themselves? Their partners and families often have to navigate the demanding schedules of life on a long-running show. Here’s a glimpse into the personal lives of some of the current stars of Chicago Fire.
David Eigenberg: Meeting Love on an Army Base
David Eigenberg, who plays Christopher Hermann, is also known for Sex in the City. He’s been married to Chrysti Kotik since 2002 after meeting her on an Army base during a meet-and-greet. Despite the fame surrounding his earlier role, Kotik had never seen the show. The couple clicked instantly, and David proposed three months later. They have two children, Louis Steven and Myrna Belle. Eigenberg and his wife initially lived in Los Angeles but later moved to Chicago when he joined Chicago Fire, embracing the city’s bitter winters for the sake of his career.
Jesse Spencer: Married to a Brilliant Ph.D. Candidate
Jesse Spencer, known for Matthew Casey and previously Dr. Robert Chase on House M.D., met his wife, Kali Woodruff, at a Chicago music festival in 2014. He proposed in Peru during a mountain trip in 2019. They married on June 27, 2020, in Neptune Beach, Florida. Woodruff, a Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University studying auditory neuroscience, has been described by Spencer as “smart, pretty, and way ahead of her years.” Their life together works well with filming in Chicago.
Taylor Kinney: Love, Fame, and Lady Gaga
Taylor Kinney, who plays Kelly Severide, is perhaps most famously known for his past engagement to Lady Gaga. They met in 2011 on the set of her music video “Yoü and I” and were engaged on Valentine’s Day 2015, before parting ways in 2016. Kinney has since been linked to other relationships but continues to focus on his career and life in Chicago.
Joe Minoso: Love on Set
Joe Minoso, who plays Joe Cruz, met his wife Caitlin Murphy Miles — a makeup artist — directly on the set of Chicago Fire. The couple married in 2016 with a Chicago-themed wedding featuring a 1920s speakeasy motif and tables named after historic Chicago speakeasies. The cast celebrated with them, making it a true Firehouse 51 family affair.
Kara Killmer: Fate and Romance Beyond the Mask
Kara Killmer, who portrays Sylvie Brett, met her husband Andrew Cheney on the 2015 film Beyond the Mask. Their wedding took place in May 2016 in Texas, cementing a partnership that began almost by fate, as both joined the project late in the casting process. The couple has remained close while balancing careers in acting and life in Chicago.
These stories show that while Chicago Fire keeps fans glued to the screen with its thrilling rescues, its cast members are also navigating love, family, and life behind the scenes — sometimes in ways as dramatic as the show itself.
