As a child, Kinney described himself as shy and quiet. He found his interest in the arts through participation in his school’s theatre group, where he took on a few roles. Although he was a bright student, his reserved nature often concerned his teachers, as he preferred solitude over social interaction.

He graduated from Lancaster Mennonite School in 2000. Kinney went on to study Business Management at West Virginia University in Morgantown. However, after two years, he left college and relocated to Hawaii, where he worked as a carpenter. It was during his time at the university that Kinney began to develop a strong interest in acting, which compelled him to return to the continental U.S. to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Acting Beginnings and Breakthrough Roles

After some initial auditions and minor appearances, Kinney landed his first notable role in 2006 as Luke Gianni on the television series Fashion House, which aired on MyNetworkTV.

His breakthrough came in 2010 when he was cast as Mason Lockwood on the popular supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries. The role brought him significant attention and led to more prominent opportunities in television and film.

Chicago Fire and Television Career

Taylor Kinney is perhaps best known for his role as Lieutenant Kelly Severide on the hit NBC series Chicago Fire. The drama follows the lives of firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51 in Chicago, and Kinney’s portrayal of a key rescue squad leader opposite Jesse Spencer has become a defining role in his career.

He has also appeared in several other notable television series, including guest roles on CSI: NY, What About Brian, Bones, Castle, Rizzoli & Isles, and Shameless, where he played Craig, the former high school crush of the lead character Fiona. Additional TV credits include roles in A Mann's World, Five, Dating Rules from My Future Self, and Breakout Kings.