Lt. Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) has long been a central figure in Chicago Fire, admired for his bravery and leadership. But beyond the rescues, Severide’s life has been a rollercoaster of family drama, from strained relationships with his father to discovering long-lost siblings. Here’s a breakdown of Severide’s complex family tree and how it has shaped him both personally and professionally.
Kelly Severide’s Father: Benny Severide
Played by: Treat Williams
Benny Severide was a former firefighter who worked with Firehouse 51’s Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) and eventually became a captain in Arson Investigations. However, his personal life was far from exemplary. Benny’s career took precedence over his family, and his infidelities led to the breakdown of his marriage. He left Severide and his mother, Jennifer, when Kelly was just 10 years old, creating a chasm between father and son.
Despite the abandonment, Kelly followed in his father’s footsteps, determined to surpass him as a firefighter. In Season 1, Benny re-entered Severide’s life, and though their relationship was rocky, they slowly rebuilt a fragile bond. However, Benny’s death in Season 7 from a stroke left Severide devastated, robbing him of the chance for full closure.
Kelly Severide’s Mother: Jennifer Sheridan
Played by: Kim Delaney
In contrast to his tumultuous relationship with his father, Kelly shared a loving bond with his mother, Jennifer Sheridan. A single mom for much of Kelly’s childhood, she raised him on her own after Benny’s departure. Jennifer first appeared in Season 6 when she surprised Kelly with a visit, and the two were soon living together.
Though Jennifer briefly considered reconciling with Benny, Kelly warned her against it, knowing his father’s history of hurting her. After Benny’s passing, Jennifer remained a supportive presence in Kelly’s life. She also welcomed Kelly’s wife, Stella Kidd, with open arms, solidifying her place as a cherished part of Severide’s new family at Firehouse 51.
Kelly Severide’s Half-Sister: Katie Nolan
Played by: Brittany Curran
Benny’s pattern of broken relationships continued with Katie Nolan, his daughter from another relationship. Severide discovered Katie in Season 2 after seeing Benny meeting with her, initially mistaking her for a lover. Upon learning that Katie was his half-sister, Kelly welcomed her into his life.
Katie, a culinary school student, became a familiar face at Firehouse 51 and briefly dated Otis Zvonecek (Yuri Sardarov). However, her life took a dark turn when she was kidnapped by a mobster, leaving her traumatized and pushing her to leave Chicago for New York. Katie returned for Benny’s funeral in Season 7, reconnecting with Kelly and reaffirming their sibling bond.
Kelly Severide’s Half-Brother: Jack Damon
Played by: Michael Bradway
Just when fans thought the Severide family drama was over, Season 12 introduced Jack Damon, another of Benny’s secret children. Jack arrived at Firehouse 51 from the floater pool, initially gaining Kelly’s trust despite his mysterious behavior. In the Season 12 finale, Jack revealed he was Benny’s son, making him Kelly’s half-brother.
The revelation strained Kelly, as Jack’s arrival stirred old wounds about Benny’s failures as a father. While Kelly tried to mentor Jack, their relationship hit a rough patch in Season 13 after Jack disobeyed orders from Stella Kidd. Jack’s insubordination forced Severide to transfer him to another station, leading to a brief falling out between the brothers. Fortunately, the two reconciled, with Kelly promising to be the brother Jack never had.
Conclusion
The Severide family tree is a tangled web of love, loss, and reconciliation. Kelly’s relationships with his father, mother, and half-siblings have deeply affected his personal and professional life. While Firehouse 51 remains his chosen family, his blood ties continue to challenge and shape the firefighter we see on Chicago Fire. Through it all, Severide has proven his resilience, staying true to his values and vowing not to repeat his father’s mistakes.
