As paramedic Sylvie Brett, Kara Killmer brings warmth, faith, and fierce courage to Chicago Fire. But in a twist even longtime fans may not know, Killmer once believed her future had nothing to do with Hollywood.
In fact, she was planning to become a pastor.
“I grew up in a very religious environment,” she said in a little-known interview. “There was a time I thought I’d be working in a ministry or going overseas on mission work.”
Killmer, born and raised in Texas, studied religion in college and was active in youth outreach programs. For years, she avoided acting entirely, believing it didn’t align with her values.
But something changed when she was cast in a faith-based reality series early in her career. “That experience opened my eyes to the idea that storytelling is a kind of ministry,” she said. “It connects people. It heals.”
Shortly after that, she auditioned for Chicago Fire. Producers were drawn to her natural sincerity and emotional intelligence—qualities that shaped Sylvie Brett into one of the most beloved characters on the show.
Off-screen, Kara lives a quiet life with her husband, actor Andrew Cheney. The couple live just outside of Chicago, where she hosts weekly dinners for crew members and volunteers at a local women’s shelter.
Her faith remains central to her life. “I’m not preachy,” she says. “But I believe deeply in love, kindness, and redemption—and that shows up in the way I work.”
So while the world knows her as Brett, the truth is: Kara Killmer almost chose a life of sermons instead of sirens.
And somehow, she still brings both to every scene
