Emily Kinney
She transformed a supporting role on a zombie drama into a resonant portrait of grief and survival, then forged a parallel career in intimate indie-pop.
Born 1984 (age 42)·American actress, singer, and songwriter·Birthday: August 15·Millennials
Biography
Emily Kinney arrived in New York with a theatre degree and a guitar, landing small roles before her life shifted with a call from AMC. As Beth Greene on The Walking Dead, she brought a fragile, musical soul to the apocalypse, her character's journey from traumatized teen to hardened survivor becoming a fan favorite. When her time on the show ended, Kinney didn't retreat; she leaned into her other art, releasing a series of earnest, narrative-driven albums that chronicle heartbreak and city life. She continues to act, often in nuanced guest spots on series like 'The Flash' and 'Masters of Sex,' but her creative core remains a dual-track expression, where acting and songwriting inform each other with a quiet, observational honesty.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Emily was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Emily Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Emily's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
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
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Beth Greene across five seasons of AMC's global phenomenon 'The Walking Dead'.
- Released multiple studio albums, including 'This is War' and 'The Supporting Character'.
- Performed her original music at venues across the country, building a dedicated fanbase separate from her acting work.
Did You Know?
She wrote and performed the original song 'Be Good' for her character Beth on 'The Walking Dead'.
She earned a degree in theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University.
She opened for the band 'Hanson' on their 2017 Middle of Everywhere Tour.
“I think the best songs come from a really honest place, even if it's a little embarrassing.”
