Lily Collins
An actress who evolved from a famous last name into a nuanced performer, championing complex young women in both dark fables and heartfelt dramas.
Born 1989 (age 37)·English and American actress·Birthday: March 18·Millennials
Biography
Lily Collins has meticulously crafted a career that acknowledges her lineage while firmly establishing her own artistic identity. The daughter of musician Phil Collins, she was raised in Los Angeles and began her career in journalism and modeling before stepping decisively into acting. Her breakthrough role in *The Blind Side* was followed by a mix of studio fare, but it was her collaboration with director Jean-Marc Vallée in the series *Emily in Paris* that showcased her comedic charm. However, Collins has consistently sought depth, most notably in her transformative performance as a young woman battling anorexia in *To the Bone*, a role she pursued with unflinching commitment. She further demonstrated her range as a modern-day Snow White in *Mirror Mirror* and anchored the film adaptation of *The Mortal Instruments*. With a style often described as classic Hollywood, Collins chooses projects that explore vulnerability and resilience, building a filmography that prioritizes emotional truth over easy glamour.
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.
Lily was born in 1989, 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 Lily Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Lily's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
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
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
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
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received critical acclaim for her leading role as a young woman with an eating disorder in the Netflix film *To the Bone* (2017).
- Stars as the titular character in the globally popular Netflix series *Emily in Paris*, for which she has received Golden Globe nominations.
- Published a collection of personal essays titled *Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me* in 2017.
- Played the lead role of Snow White in Tarsem Singh's fantasy film *Mirror Mirror* (2012).
Did You Know?
She wrote a column for the UK teen magazine *Elle Girl* and also contributed to *Seventeen*, *Los Angeles Times*, and *Cosmopolitan*.
She is a global ambassador for the humanitarian organization (RED), fighting AIDS.
She turned down the role of Clary Fray in *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* twice before finally accepting it.
She lived in Tokyo for a brief period as a child when her father was on tour.
““I think it’s important to show young women that it’s okay to be vulnerable, it’s okay to ask for help.””
