Lily Collins: Insights, Inspiration, and Everyday Adventures
Lily Jane Collins is an English and American actress. Born in Guildford and raised in Los Angeles, she began performing on screen at the age of two in the BBC sitcom Growing Pains.
Introduction
Lily Collins is a talented English-American actress known for her work in film and television. Born in Guildford, Surrey, she was raised in Los Angeles, California. She began acting at just two years old, appearing in TV programs as early as 1989. Her debut role came in the BBC sitcom Growing Pains. Although she remained more concerned with acting and modeling in the later 2000 s, her new high profile movie was in The Blind Side (2009). Following that, she starred in notable films like Priest (2011), Mirror Mirror (2012), and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013).
Lily Collins has earned much praise from movie critics for her performances. In Rules Don’t Apply (2016), she received a Golden Globe nomination. She also starred in To the Bone (2016), where she portrayed a young woman battling anorexia nervosa. She also delivered in biopics Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019), Tolkien (2019) and Mank (2020).
Lily Collins showcased her talent on TV by portraying Fantine in BBC’s Les Misérables (2018-2019). Since 2020, she has starred in Emily in Paris, a role that earned her multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe. In addition to Lily Collins acting, Collins has also opened up about her struggles with mental health and body image in her memoir, Unfiltered: There was No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me in 2017.
| Born | Lily Collins 18 March 1989 (age 35) Guildford, Surrey, England |
| Occupations | Actress |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom United States |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse | Charlie McDowell |
| Father | Phil Collins |
| Relatives | Simon Collins (half-brother) Joely Collins (half-sister) Nic Collins (half-brother) Clive Collins (uncle) Malcolm McDowell (father-in-law) Mary Steenburgen (mother-in-law) |
Lily Collins Early life
Lily Collins was born on 18 March 1989 to English musician Phil Collins and American Jill Tavelman, a former president of the Beverly Hills Women’s Club. She comes from a multicultural background, with her maternal grandfather being a Canadian Jewish immigrant who owned a men’s clothing store in Beverly Hills. Lily Collins has several half-siblings, including musician Simon Collins and actress Joely Collins from her father’s first marriage, and two younger half-brothers from his third marriage. Her uncle was the well-known cartoonist Clive Collins.
After her parents divorced in 1996, when she was just six years old, Collins moved to Los Angeles with her mother. She attended Harvard-Westlake School and later pursued a degree in broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California. In 2007, she was presented as a debutante at the prestigious Bal des Débutantes in Paris. During her teenage years, Lily struggled with an eating disorder, an experience she bravely shared in her memoir Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me.
Career
2007–2012: Early work and breakthrough
Lily Collins began her acting career at the age of two with a role in the BBC series Growing Pains. She made an appearance in the teen drama 90210, including in the season one finale, before landing her breakthrough role in The Blind Side (2009), where she played Collins Tuohy, the daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over $250 million, becoming the highest-grossing sports drama of all time.
In 2011, Collins starred in the action-thriller Priest as Lucy, the warrior priest’s daughter, opposite Paul Bettany. Although the film struggled both critically and commercially, Lily Collins’ performance stood out. Her role earned her recognition as one of MTV’s Breakout Stars to Watch. That same year, she co-starred in the action film Abduction alongside Taylor Lautner.
Collins continued her success in 2012 by portraying Snow White in Mirror Mirror, a reimagined version of the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Her performance drew praise, with The Daily Telegraph’s Robbie Collin calling her face “adorable, sensational, almost perfect for cinema” and comparing her charm to Audrey Hepburn. Collins also showcased her musical talent by singing a cover of “I Believe (in Love)” for the film. Later that year, she played Samantha in the romantic comedy-drama Stuck in Love.
2013–2016: Lily Collins Rise to prominence and critical recognition
Lily Collins was originally cast as the lead in the 2013 Evil Dead remake but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts. However, she kept busy, appearing in M83’s music video “Claudia Lewis” and taking on the lead role of Clary Fray in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013), based on Cassandra Clare’s popular book series. While the movie didn’t become a blockbuster hit, it earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination in 2014. That same year, she also appeared in the Thirty Seconds to Mars music video “City of Angels.”
In 2014, Collins starred in Love, Rosie, a romantic comedy-drama based on Cecelia Ahern’s novel Where Rainbows End. While the film received mixed reviews, Collins was praised for her performance, with The Irish Times noting her as “perfectly charming.”
Lily Collins played aspiring actress Marla Mabrey in Rules Don’t Apply (2016), a romantic comedy-drama directed by Warren Beatty. Although the film disappointed at the box office, her performance earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.That same year, she also starred in The Last Tycoon.. Scott Fitzgerald’s unfinished novel. Although the show aired for one season, it was later canceled.
In 2016, Collins took on the lead role in To the Bone, a drama about a young woman struggling with anorexia, written and directed by Marti Noxon. To the Bone premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and later released on Netflix in July. Though the film faced some backlash for possibly triggering those with eating disorders, critics praised Collins’ portrayal of Ellen. Critics highlighted her ability to bring depth to a challenging role, with Justin Chang from Los Angeles Times noting her performance as revealing the character’s “complicated, vulnerable edges,” adding a layer of sensitivity and nuance to the film.
2017–present: Established actress
Lily Collins showcased her versatility in acting with a role in Okja (2017), a Netflix drama directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film competed for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and received a standing ovation after its premiere. Released on Netflix in June 2017, it further established Collins as a prominent figure in international cinema.
In 2018, Collins took on the iconic role of Fantine in the BBC miniseries adaptation of Les Misérables. Directed by Tom Shankland, her performance as the tragic character was widely praised. Critics noted her ability to bring both strength and vulnerability to the role, with one describing her portrayal as “magnificent” and emotionally rich.
In 2019, Collins co-starred with Zac Efron in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, playing Elizabeth Kendall, Ted Bundy’s long-time girlfriend, who struggles with the realization that her partner is a notorious serial killer. That same year, she portrayed Edith Tolkien, the wife of J.R.R. Tolkien, in the biographical film Tolkien. Both roles highlighted her capacity to delve into emotionally complex characters.
Lily Collins: Rising Star and Versatile Actress
In 2020, Lily Collins starred in the thriller Inheritance. She also took on one of her most recognizable roles in Emily in Paris, a Netflix series. In this show, she plays a young marketing executive navigating life in Paris. The series earned her a second Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. She also appeared in Mank (2020), portraying Rita Alexander, an English transcriber working with Herman J. Mankiewicz, in the critically acclaimed film directed by David Fincher.
Looking ahead, Lily Collins will star in The Cradle and Gilded Rage. In 2021, she was also announced as the lead in a film adaptation of Polly Pocket, a popular children’s toy line. Lena Dunham will direct the project, with Collins also taking on the role of producer.
Lily Collins Personal life
Lily Collins has been private about her relationships, stating in 2013 that she prefers not to discuss them publicly, having seen the impact of media attention during her parents’ divorce. However, in September 2020, she announced her engagement to American film director Charlie McDowell. The couple married on 4 September 2021 in a ceremony at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado. In March 2023, it was reported that they had purchased a townhouse in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Public image
As a teenager, Lily Collins wrote the column “NY Confidential” for Elle Girl magazine. She also contributed to publications like Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and the Los Angeles Times. Lily Collins gained early recognition in her modeling and journalism career. In 2007, Chanel chose Lily Collins to wear one of their gowns at the Bal des Débutantes in Paris. This appearance later featured on The Hills. In 2008, Glamour magazine in Spain named her their International Model of the Year, and she appeared on the cover of their August 2009 issue.
Lily Collins covered the 2008 U.S. presidential election as a host for Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick the President. At 2008, Lily Collins received a Young Hollywood Award for Newest Red Carpet Correspondent. A year later, Maxim included her among the “Hottest Daughters of Rock Stars,” further boosting her rising star status.
Activism
Lily Collins actively advocates against bullying. She serves as a Celebrity Ambassador for Bystander Revolution, an organization that combats bullying. Since 2018, she has also been an ambassador for the GO Campaign. This organization aims to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children worldwide. Additionally, Collins endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
