
Lily Collins
United KingdomAlso known as: Lily Jane Collins, Lily C
Birthday
March 18, 1989
Birth Sign
Pisces
Birthplace
Guildford, Surrey, England
Age
37 years old
Height
5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
About
Lily Jane Collins is a British-American actress, model, and author known for her work in both film and television. Born in Guildford, England, she was raised in Los Angeles and has built a career spanning over two decades. She gained early recognition for roles in major studio films before transitioning to critically acclaimed dramatic performances and becoming a global star through the Netflix series Emily in Paris.
As of 2026, Collins continues to balance leading roles in Hollywood productions with her work as an executive producer on her flagship series. Her public profile remains high due to her advocacy for mental health awareness and body positivity, themes she explores in her writing and public appearances. She is widely recognized for her distinctive style and her ability to navigate both commercial blockbusters and intimate character studies.
Early Life & Background
Although born in Guildford, Surrey, to rock legend Phil Collins and his first wife Jill Tavelman, Lily moved to Los Angeles at age six following her parents' divorce. This relocation shaped her upbringing, blending British heritage with an American lifestyle. Her entry into performance arts began unusually early; at just two years old, she appeared in a brief role on the BBC sitcom Growing Pains, playing the daughter of Michael J. Fox's character. Despite this early start, she focused on a conventional education during her teenage years, attending Brentwood School in Los Angeles.
Her path to stardom was not immediate. After briefly enrolling at the University of Southern California, she dropped out to pursue acting full-time but later returned to complete her degree at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Before her breakthrough, she worked as a model and appeared in various commercials. The turning point arrived in 2009 when she secured a supporting role in the sports drama The Blind Side. This performance caught the attention of casting directors and led to a string of leading roles in youth-oriented films like Priest, Abduction, and Mirror Mirror, establishing her as a prominent face in young adult cinema.
Career Growth
Collins transitioned from teen star to serious dramatic actress in the mid-2010s. In 2016, she delivered a standout performance in Warren Beatty's Rules Don't Apply, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. The following year, she took on the challenging role of a young woman recovering from anorexia in To the Bone, a project she also produced to highlight the realities of eating disorders. Her filmography expanded to include biographical dramas such as Tolkien and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, where she portrayed Lizzy Borden.
Her career reached new heights in 2020 with the premiere of Emily in Paris on Netflix. Playing marketing executive Emily Cooper, Collins became the face of a global phenomenon that ran for six seasons. She served as an executive producer on the series, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2024. Production wrapped on the sixth and final season in September 2026, concluding her seven-year run as the titular character. Following the finale, she is set to star in the Amazon Studios adaptation of The Accomplice.
Career Timeline
Public Image & Style
Collins is celebrated for her chic, vintage-inspired fashion sense and her optimistic public persona. She is often described as the modern "girl next door" with a sophisticated edge, frequently appearing on best-dressed lists from publications like Vogue and GQ. Her content tone is generally uplifting, focusing on self-love, creativity, and resilience. Media outlets often highlight her willingness to be vulnerable about her personal struggles, particularly regarding eating disorders, which has earned her respect beyond her acting credits.
Fame & Fandom (iFAMOUS Rankings)
iFANN has not yet collected fame data for this person as of the September 2026 rankings. While she holds a significant position in global pop culture, specific ranking metrics are not currently available in the iFANN database. The fanbase surrounding her work does not have a formal documented name in official records. Fans of her work are primarily organized around the success of Emily in Paris, driving streaming numbers and social media engagement. These fans actively create fan art, edits, and charity drives in her name. Collins engages directly with this audience, often replying to comments and sharing fan creations on her verified social media accounts.
Interesting Facts and Legends
Lily Collins is fluent in English and French, having lived in France for several years during the filming of Emily in Paris. She is a trained dancer and performed many of her own dance sequences in the series without using a stunt double. Her father, Phil Collins, made a memorable cameo appearance in Season 2 of Emily in Paris, playing a man who helps Emily find her way back to her apartment. Collins is also a vocal advocate for veganism and frequently promotes plant-based diets through her social media channels and public interviews. She wrote a memoir titled Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me in 2017, which details her personal struggles with body image and mental health.
Notable Quotes
“I think it's important to be honest about your struggles, because you're never alone in them.”
“Emily is so optimistic, and I think we all need a little bit of that in our lives right now.”
“This has forever changed me.”
Family & Personal Life
She is the daughter of legendary English drummer and singer Phil Collins and his first wife, Jill Tavelman. Her parents divorced when she was six, and she was raised primarily by her mother in Los Angeles. Collins has a younger half-sister named Nicole Collins, who is also involved in the entertainment industry. She maintains a close relationship with her father, often speaking publicly about their bond. Currently, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Charlie McDowell, though they have no children together.
Notable Connections
Relationships & Dating History
Lily Collins has maintained a relatively private personal life compared to many of her peers, but her relationship history is well-documented. In 2010, she began dating actor Chris Evans after meeting through mutual friends in the industry. Although they were linked during the same era of projects, they did not work together on Snow White and the Huntsman. The couple dated for approximately a year before amicably splitting in 2011 due to busy schedules and differing career paths.
Following her breakup with Evans, Collins began dating director Charlie McDowell in 2013. Their romance started around the time of the release of the film Stoker, in which they had collaborated. They married in 2019 in a private ceremony in London. As of 2026, they remain married and are considered one of Hollywood's most stable couples. They have no children together. Their relationship is characterized by a strong professional partnership, with McDowell directing Collins in projects like The Lost Daughter.
- DatedChris Evans2010 - 2011Met through mutual friends; split due to busy schedules.
- MarriedCharlie McDowell2013 - presentCurrentMet while working on Stoker; married in 2019 in London.
Salary, Net Worth In 2026
$24 Million
iFANN Editorial Team estimate
Research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts Lily Collins' fortune at around $24 million as of 2026. Her wealth stems primarily from her long-running role as the lead in Emily in Paris, where reports indicate she earns between $150,000 and $200,000 per episode in the later seasons. Beyond her acting salary, she generates significant income as an executive producer on the series, collecting backend fees and production bonuses.
Additional revenue streams include book royalties from her 2017 memoir Unfiltered and lucrative endorsement deals with major fashion houses like Dior, Lancôme, and Calvin Klein. Collins also owns real estate holdings in both Los Angeles and London, contributing to her overall asset base. Her financial trajectory has remained steady and upward, driven by the sustained global popularity of her Netflix show and her continued presence in the luxury fashion market.
Awards Won (8)
Lily Collins has received multiple nominations for her work in film and television, including Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nods. While she has not won a major industry trophy like an Oscar or BAFTA, she has secured wins at genre-specific ceremonies. Notable victories include the Saturn Award for Best Actress for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and several Teen Choice Awards for her roles in Emily in Paris and other films. She also won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress in 2017.
2017 · Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress
Rules Don't Apply
2008 · One to Watch
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Known For
Emily in Paris
2020–2026 · Emily Cooper
The Blind Side
2009 · Sue Anne Mulligan
To the Bone
2017 · Ellen
Rules Don't Apply
2016 · Marla Mabrey
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
2013 · Clary Fray
Keywords
Sources
Quick Facts
- Profession
- actor, model, film actor
- Born
- +1989-03-18
- Birthplace
- Guildford
- Gender
- Female
- Spouse
- Charlie McDowell
- Birth Sign
- Pisces
Personal Details
- Full Name
- Lily Jane Collins
- Height
- 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
- Spouse
- Charlie McDowell
- Children
- Education
- University of Southern California
Filmography
42
Total
28
Film
14
TV
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Lily Collins?
Is Lily Collins still dating Charlie McDowell?
What is Lily Collins' net worth?
Why did Lily Collins leave Emily in Paris?
Does Lily Collins have any children?
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