Christine Elise
An actress who carved a lasting cult-favorite niche as the tough, resourceful Emily Valentine on 'Beverly Hills, 90210'.
Born 1965 (age 61)·American actress·Birthday: February 12·Generation X
Biography
Christine Elise played Emily Valentine on 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' bringing psychological complexity to the teen drama. Born in Boston, she studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and broke through with a chilling performance as the adoptive mother in 'Child's Play 2' (1990). Her recurring role as Brandon Walsh's artistically gifted, unsettling girlfriend grounded the sunny zip code in realism. Elise's career spans guest spots on 'ER' and 'NCIS,' voice work, and photography. She maintains a loyal fanbase drawn to her unvarnished performances.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Christine was born in 1965, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Christine Was Born
The biggest hits of 1965
#1 Movie
The Sound of Music
Best Picture
The Sound of Music
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Christine's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1965Born
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1970Started school
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1978Became a teenager
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1981Could drive
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1983Could vote
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1986Turned 21
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1995Turned 30
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2005Turned 40
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2015Turned 50
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 60
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 61 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the memorable and psychologically layered character Emily Valentine on 'Beverly Hills, 90210.'
- Played the lead role of Kyle in the television series 'The Crew' for its full 25-episode run.
- Appeared in the horror sequel 'Child’s Play 2' as Kyle, a character who became a fan favorite.
- Directed and produced the 2006 documentary 'Crafty Vampires and Other Stereotypes.'
- Has worked extensively as a photographer, with her portraits of celebrities and musicians published in various outlets.
Did You Know?
She is a licensed private investigator in the state of California.
She was a competitive bodybuilder in her late teens and early twenties.
Elise is an accomplished photographer who has shot portraits of musicians like Dave Grohl and Billy Corgan.
She adopted a son from Ethiopia in 2011.
Her middle name, Elise, became her professional surname after another actress registered as Christine McCarthy.
“I prefer characters who are a little off, a little unpredictable.”
