For over a decade, fans of the One Chicago universe have known Taylor Kinney as the impossibly handsome, perpetually smooth-shaven Lieutenant Kelly Severide of Chicago Fire. With his steely blue eyes and signature heroic jawline, Kinney has defined the look of a modern television firefighter—reliable, rugged, and clean-cut.
But before Firehouse 51 became his home, and long before he was tracking down arsonists with grim determination, Kinney rocked a completely different, and dramatically unexpected, look that would make even the most dedicated Chicago Fire viewer do a double-take. Dive into the archives of his early career, and you’ll find a pre-Severide Taylor Kinney sporting a look that was less heroic, and much more…debonair. We’re talking about the formidable mustache and goatee combo that defined his role as a high-stakes fashion heir on the 2006 drama, Fashion House.
It’s a truly transformative look that underscores the incredible range of the actor behind the 51 uniform, and serves as a fascinating reminder of his journey to becoming one of TV’s most recognized stars.
The Severide Standard: A Decade of Clean-Cut Heroism
To truly appreciate the transformation, one must first recognize the iconic Kelly Severide aesthetic. Since Chicago Fire premiered in 2012, Kinney’s character has maintained a consistent, low-maintenance look that perfectly complements his Rescue Squad role:
- The Hair: Usually cropped short, styled with a slight wave, always suggesting someone who could run into a burning building at a moment’s notice.
- The Face: Almost always clean-shaven, perhaps with a slight 5 o’clock shadow, emphasizing his strong bone structure and piercing gaze. This look projects trust, competence, and reliability—essential qualities for a first responder.
The Severide look is so ingrained in the collective TV consciousness that imagining Kinney with significant facial hair feels like a stylistic paradox. Yet, that is precisely what he embraced in one of his earliest main-cast television roles.
🧥 The Fashion House Revelation: Meet Luke Gianni
In 2006, Taylor Kinney was cast in the MyNetworkTV serial drama, Fashion House. The show, a modern soap opera focusing on the cutthroat world of a major fashion empire, gave Kinney the main role of Luke Gianni. And with the role of a privileged, wealthy fashion mogul came a dramatically different style.
The Look: Luke Gianni was the antithesis of Kelly Severide. He was an heir to a dynasty, navigating socialite circles and corporate backstabbing. To convey the air of European sophistication, and perhaps a touch of playboy arrogance, Kinney’s facial hair became a key part of his character’s visual identity.
- The Mustache and Goatee: Kinney sported a distinct, neat mustache connected to a closely trimmed goatee. This combination gave his face an immediate edge and maturity—a slick, almost villainous charm that is completely absent from the earnest Severide.
- The Hair: His hair in Fashion House was often longer, styled with more volume, and less utilitarian than the firehouse cut.
Why the Transformation is So Striking
The Fashion House look is a glimpse at the actor before the weight of long-running, character-driven drama settled on him. It’s a stylish, almost camp aesthetic perfectly suited for the genre of the show.
It highlights the difference between playing a flamboyant, dramatic character driven by wealth and personal ambition (Luke Gianni) versus playing an understated, grounded hero driven by duty and teamwork (Kelly Severide). The mustache and goatee acted as a mask of sorts, adding a layer of sophisticated drama that contrasts sharply with the raw, emotional authenticity we expect from Severide.
🐺 The Transition: Early Roles That Defined Kinney’s Range
While Fashion House represents his most dramatic departure in terms of facial hair and overall style, Kinney’s journey from that early role to Chicago Fire saw him experiment with other notable looks, solidifying his versatility as an actor.
1. The Werewolf Phase: The Vampire Diaries
From 2010 to 2011, Kinney had a memorable recurring role as Mason Lockwood in the supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries. As a werewolf and uncle to Tyler Lockwood, his look was rugged and intense, fitting the dark, mystic aesthetic of the show.
- The Vampire Diaries Look: Here, he had often-shaggy hair and a rugged, scruffy beard—a look far more feral and less refined than the Gianni look, but still a step away from Severide’s clean edge. This role established his ability to play a passionate, even volatile character who, like Severide, possessed an intense loyalty to his family/pack.
2. The Gritty Realism: Zero Dark Thirty
In 2012—the same year Chicago Fire premiered—Kinney appeared in Kathryn Bigelow’s acclaimed war drama, Zero Dark Thirty. His role as one of the Navy SEALs involved in the hunt for Osama bin Laden saw him completely stripped of any theatrical style.
- The SEAL Look: This was pure, unvarnished military grit. His look was extremely practical: minimal facial hair (if any), close-cropped hair, and a lean, focused physique. It was a preparation for the grounded realism that Chicago Fire would require.
The Enduring Power of the Severide Look
Taylor Kinney’s early, mustache-and-goatee-clad role in Fashion House proves that his iconic Chicago Fire look is a conscious acting choice, not a default setting. It shows a commitment to transforming for the role, whether it requires the superficial glamour of a fashion heir or the practical uniform of a first responder.
The enduring success of Kelly Severide lies partially in his consistency. His familiar, clean-cut appearance serves as an anchor—a visual shorthand for the unwavering stability and dedication he brings to Truck 81 and Rescue Squad 3.
For fans eager to see a vastly different side of the Lieutenant, the clips and archives of Fashion House offer a fun, surprising glimpse into Taylor Kinney’s past. It is a reminder that even the most iconic television personas have a rich, surprising history defined by dramatic transformations—and sometimes, a seriously slick mustache and goatee.
