Taylor Kinney isn’t just fearless on Chicago Fire—he brings that same adventurous energy to real life. Known for playing the heroic Kelly Severide, the fan-favorite firefighter who never hesitates to charge into a burning building, Kinney recently revealed that he once volunteered to be the very first tattoo client for a friend’s wife who was still in training. The daring decision? Classic Taylor.
✒️ The Scene: A Tattoo Studio, A New Artist, A Willing Subject
In a 2019 interview with Jam TV, Kinney shared the story of how he ended up in the tattoo chair—not at a luxury studio, but in support of someone close to his Chicago Fire family. That someone? Murphy Miñoso, a former makeup artist and wife of Kinney’s longtime castmate Joe Miñoso (a.k.a. Firehouse 51’s Joe Cruz).
“She was just starting out, still learning, and you can practice and try on synthetics and kind of other things,” Kinney recalled. “But nothing that’s like real skin. So I was like, ‘Well, I have some stuff that you can cover.’”
His playful grin said it all: “I was her first victim.”
🌴 A Tattoo with Sentimental Roots
The tattoo itself wasn’t just a random choice—it was a deeply personal design rooted in Kinney’s childhood. He described the image as a man lying in a hammock under a palm tree with a sailboat anchored offshore.
“It was this picture I had in my bathroom growing up,” Kinney explained. “I always thought, ‘Someday I’d like to be in that hammock, with a little hat on, just taking a nap in the middle of that.’”
Simple, peaceful, and dream-filled—much like Kinney’s off-duty vibe in real life.
💬 Fan Reaction & Artistic Validation
Kinney posted the session to Instagram back in 2019, sparking a wave of admiration—not just for his cool under pressure (again), but for the trust and loyalty he showed to the Miñoso family. The best part? His endorsement helped jump-start Murphy Miñoso’s tattoo career.
“She got a lot of referrals, so now she’s kind of off to the races,” Kinney said proudly.
The story went from playful anecdote to feel-good success in a matter of days—reminding fans just how tight-knit the One Chicago cast really is.
🧩 How Many Tattoos Does Taylor Kinney Have?
While Kinney keeps most of his personal ink under wraps, there are a couple tattoos that fans have caught glimpses of over the years:
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🏝️ Leg Tattoo – The dreamy beach hammock scene on his right leg, courtesy of Murphy Miñoso.
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👼 Back Tattoo – A large, striking piece depicting an angelic figure with outstretched wings, first spotted during Chicago’s 2015 polar plunge event.
Though Kinney hasn’t publicly revealed an exact count, we know this: his tattoos, like his acting, come with meaning, memory, and a touch of boldness.
🧡 One Chicago, One Family
This candid tale of trust and tattoo ink is more than just a fun behind-the-scenes moment—it’s a reflection of the deep camaraderie within the Chicago Fire cast. Whether it’s pulling off high-octane rescues on-screen or helping a castmate’s spouse gain their footing in a new profession, Kinney proves once again that his loyalty runs deep.
As Chicago Fire fans gear up for Season 14, it’s stories like this that remind us why the show—and its stars—resonate so powerfully. Tattoos may be permanent, but so is the bond between this firehouse family.
