Kelly Severide, the fearless firefighter at Firehouse 51 on Chicago Fire, has become a fan favorite over the years. Played by Taylor Kinney, Severide’s character has been through dramatic highs and lows, from losing friends like Leslie Shay to facing near-death experiences that kept fans on edge. Recently, the Season 9 cliffhanger hinted at Severide’s potential exit, but Season 10 relieved fans by keeping him on board. However, Kinney’s popularity didn’t start in the One Chicago universe—his acting career spans many other roles that may explain why he looks so familiar.
From Fashion Model to Fashion House
Before he became a full-time firefighter on TV, Kinney’s first acting break was on Fashion House, a soap opera on MyNetworkTV. Playing Luke Gianni, son of the powerful fashion mogul Maria Gianni (played by Bo Derek), Kinney’s character had to navigate family power struggles, romantic entanglements, and mob drama. Though the show was short-lived, Kinney quickly learned the intensity of soap opera schedules, which required him to tackle dozens of scenes in a single day. This role marked his start in Hollywood and set the stage for his future success.
Kinney’s First Foray Into Emergency Drama: Trauma
Long before he joined the One Chicago franchise, Kinney starred in Trauma, an NBC medical drama about first responders in San Francisco. As Glenn Morrison, a rookie EMT, he faced challenges fitting into an experienced team still mourning the loss of a colleague. Kinney, only a few years into his acting career, could relate to the character’s “new guy” feeling. Though Trauma only ran for one season, it was a crucial role that helped Kinney hone his skills in the high-stakes world of first responder dramas.
A Hair-Raising Role in The Vampire Diaries
In 2010, Kinney entered the supernatural world with a memorable stint on The Vampire Diaries. He played Mason Lockwood, a werewolf and uncle to Tyler Lockwood, who returns to Mystic Falls on a mission to retrieve a magical moonstone. While Mason’s storyline ended abruptly when he was killed by Damon Salvatore, Kinney’s work on the show helped raise his profile. Reflecting on the experience, he mentioned how much he loved the atmosphere of filming nighttime scenes, which added a bit of “magic” to his role.
Big-Screen Success with The Other Woman
While Chicago Fire kept Kinney busy, he managed to land some notable movie roles, including his part in the 2014 romantic comedy The Other Woman. He played Phil, the brother of Leslie Mann’s character Kate, and a love interest for Cameron Diaz’s Carly. In stark contrast to Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s character—a philandering husband—the good-natured Phil offered Kinney the chance to show a lighter side on screen. Kinney described working alongside comedic talent like Mann as a “master class in comedy,” which allowed him to expand his range.
More Memorable Roles: Zero Dark Thirty and The Forest
Kinney’s film credits also include Zero Dark Thirty, where he portrayed a Navy SEAL, and The Forest, a horror film in which he played a journalist caught up in supernatural mysteries. In both films, Kinney brought his signature intensity and depth, which further solidified his reputation as a versatile actor capable of tackling diverse genres.
Through his roles in soap operas, medical dramas, supernatural thrillers, and romantic comedies, Kinney has built a multifaceted career that made him the perfect choice for Kelly Severide. His journey showcases his ability to adapt to various characters and genres, drawing on each experience to deepen his portrayal of Chicago Fire’s iconic firefighter.
