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 McCarthy, known professionally as Christine Elise, emerged in the 1990s as a distinctive presence with an edge. A Boston native, 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). However, it was her recurring role on the era-defining teen drama 'Beverly Hills, 90210' that cemented her place in pop culture. As Emily Valentine, the intelligent, artistically gifted, and psychologically complex girlfriend of Brandon Walsh, Elise brought a grounded, sometimes unsettling realism to the sunny zip code. Her career showcases versatility, spanning guest spots on series like 'ER' and 'NCIS,' voice work, and a parallel path as a photographer. She maintains a loyal fanbase drawn to her authentic, 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.”
