Kelly Severide has been a cornerstone of Firehouse 51 for nearly ten years, forging strong bonds with colleagues like Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) and Leslie Shay (Lauren German)

until her tragic passing. Over the years, Severide had numerous romantic entanglements before committing to fellow firefighter Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). Even his estranged father

(Treat Williams) had deep roots in the fire department, eventually rising to the rank of chief. So, when the Season 9 finale left his fate uncertain, fans were left on edge, fearing the worst.

However, when Season 10 premiered, it became clear that Severide would remain an integral part of the team, much to the relief of viewers

Since stepping into the role, Taylor Kinney has fully immersed himself in the “One Chicago” universe, starring in nearly 200 episodes of “Chicago Fire” and making appearances in about 10 episodes each of “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med.” But Kinney’s career stretches beyond the Windy City. He’s taken on diverse roles in television and film, surprising fans who may have seen him in other projects without realizing it.

Taylor Kinney’s Early Acting Break: Fashion House

Before his “One Chicago” days, Kinney made his acting debut on the primetime soap opera Fashion House, portraying Luke Gianni, the son of ruthless fashion mogul Maria Gianni (Bo Derek). His character, an artist, falls for Michelle Miller (Natalie Martinez), a designer at his mother’s firm, leading to a whirlwind of drama. His early acting days were intense, as he recalled the fast-paced production schedule, where multiple episodes were filmed simultaneously, making for a chaotic but formative experience.

Playing a First Responder Before Chicago Fire

Long before becoming Kelly Severide, Kinney portrayed EMT Glenn Morrison on NBC’s Trauma in 2009. The series focused on San Francisco paramedics navigating the challenges of emergency response after a devastating helicopter crash. As the rookie of the team, Morrison faced hazing and struggled to prove himself. Kinney related to the role, noting that, like his character, he was still finding his footing in the acting world.

Kinney’s Supernatural Turn in The Vampire Diaries

In 2010, Kinney made his mark on The CW’s The Vampire Diaries as Mason Lockwood, a werewolf who returns to Mystic Falls with a hidden agenda. He sought a powerful moonstone for his lover, Katherine Pierce (Nina Dobrev), but met a gruesome fate when Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) ripped his heart out. Despite his short-lived arc, Kinney credited the role with boosting his career and fondly recalled the experience of filming night scenes, which he described as “magical.”

Big-Screen Roles

While Chicago Fire remains his most prominent role, Kinney has also appeared in several films. He played a Navy SEAL in Zero Dark Thirty, a journalist entangled in a mystery in The Forest, and a charming love interest in The Other Woman. The latter, a 2014 comedy about three women seeking revenge on a cheating man, saw Kinney play the affable brother of Leslie Mann’s character, developing a romance with Cameron Diaz’s character. Though critics were lukewarm on the film, Kinney enjoyed working alongside Mann, calling it a “master class in comedy.”