Lily Collins is a British-American actress who rose to international fame as the star of Netflix’s Emily in Paris. Born to legendary Genesis drummer Phil Collins and American businesswoman Jill Tavelman, she has built a career that spans film, television, writing, and advocacy. This article covers her biography, family, husband, child, career milestones, and the questions most frequently asked about her life.
From her breakout role in The Blind Side to a Golden Globe nomination for Rules Don’t Apply, Collins has demonstrated range and depth. Her openness about her teenage struggle with anorexia, detailed in her 2017 memoir Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me, has made her a respected voice on mental health. In 2025, she welcomed her first child with husband Charlie McDowell.
Below is a quick overview of key facts, followed by detailed answers to the most common questions about her personal and professional life.
| Career Highlight Emily in Paris (2020–present) |
Spouse Charlie McDowell (m. 2021) |
| Age (2025) 36 years old (born 18 March 1989) |
Father Phil Collins (musician) |
Who Is Lily Collins’ Husband?
Lily Collins married American writer and director Charlie McDowell on September 4, 2021, in Colorado. The couple met through mutual friends in early 2019 and began dating soon after. McDowell is known for directing the films The Cradle and the upcoming Gilded Rage, which will star Collins.
In early 2025, the couple announced the arrival of their first child, a daughter named Tove Jane McDowell, born via surrogate. There is no baby named after Phil Collins, as some online searches suggest. Tove’s father is Charlie McDowell, and her grandfather is Phil Collins.
Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell married in 2021 after a two-year relationship. They have one daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, born in 2025. McDowell is the son of actor Malcolm McDowell and actress Mary Steenburgen.
- Lily Collins is best known for playing Emily Cooper in Netflix’s Emily in Paris, which launched her to global fame in 2020.
- She married director Charlie McDowell in 2021; the couple welcomed a daughter via surrogate in early 2025.
- Her father is legendary Genesis drummer and singer Phil Collins, but she has maintained an independent acting career.
- Collins has overcome an eating disorder, which she discussed in her 2017 memoir Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me.
- She holds dual British and American citizenship, born in England but raised in Los Angeles.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lily Jane Collins |
| Date of Birth | 18 March 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Guildford, Surrey, England |
| Nationality | British and American |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Weight | approx 55 kg (121 lbs) – not officially confirmed |
| Spouse | Charlie McDowell (m. 2021) |
| Children | 1 daughter (born 2025 via surrogate) |
| Father | Phil Collins |
| Mother | Jill Tavelman |
| Notable Works | Emily in Paris, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Love, Rosie, To the Bone, Rules Don’t Apply |
What Are the Most Famous Lily Collins Movies and TV Shows?
What Is Lily Collins’ Most Famous Role?
Collins’ most widely recognized role is that of Emily Cooper in the Netflix romantic-comedy series Emily in Paris (2020–present). The show follows a young American marketing executive navigating life and love in Paris. Collins received her second Golden Globe nomination for this performance and also serves as a producer.
What TV Shows Has Lily Collins Starred In?
Before Emily in Paris, Collins appeared in two episodes of 90210 (2009). Her first screen role came at age two in the BBC sitcom Growing Pains (1992–93). Throughout her career, she has balanced television with a steady filmography.
Notable Movies
Collins made her film debut in The Blind Side (2009), playing the daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character. She went on to star as Snow White in Mirror Mirror (2012), received a Golden Globe nomination for Rules Don’t Apply (2016), and delivered a raw performance in To the Bone (2017), which drew on her own past with an eating disorder. Her other films include Tolkien (2019), Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019), Mank (2020), and Inheritance (2020). Upcoming is Gilded Rage, directed by her husband Charlie McDowell.
Collins earned Golden Globe nominations for both Rules Don’t Apply (Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy) and Emily in Paris (Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy). She is one of a handful of actors nominated in both film and television categories.
How Old Is Lily Collins and What Is Her Height?
When Was Lily Collins Born?
Lily Collins was born on March 18, 1989, making her 36 years old as of 2025. Her birthplace is Guildford, Surrey, England, though some sources occasionally list West Sussex or Sussex. She moved to Los Angeles with her mother at age five after her parents’ divorce.
How Tall Is Lily Collins?
Collins’ height is consistently reported as 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m). Multiple sources, including IMDb and Wikipedia, confirm this measurement.
What Is Lily Collins’ Weight?
Collins has not publicly disclosed an official weight. Some sources estimate it around 55 kg (121 lbs), but this figure should be treated as approximate. She has been open about her past struggle with anorexia, as detailed in her memoir, and has advocated for body acceptance rather than focusing on numbers.
Lily Collins has spoken publicly about her eating disorder during her teenage years. In her 2017 memoir Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me, she describes her recovery journey. The approximate weight figures sometimes cited online are not officially confirmed and should be treated with caution.
Is Lily Collins Related to Phil Collins and Who Are Her Parents?
Who Is Lily Collins’ Father?
Her father is Phil Collins, the legendary English singer-songwriter and former lead singer and drummer of the rock band Genesis. He achieved massive solo success with albums such as Face Value (1981). Lily Collins is his daughter from his marriage to Jill Tavelman.
What Is Lily Collins’ Mother’s Name?
Her mother is Jill Tavelman, an American business owner who served as president of the Beverly Hills Women’s Club for three terms. Collins has described her mother as a strong influence in her life.
Does Lily Collins Have Siblings?
Collins is the only child of Phil Collins and Jill Tavelman. However, she has four older half-siblings from her father’s previous marriages: a brother, Simon Collins, and half-sisters Joely Collins and two others.
Where Was Lily Collins Born?
She was born in Guildford, Surrey, England. Following her parents’ separation in 1994 and divorce in 1996, she moved permanently to Los Angeles with her mother at age five.
Lily Collins’ Life and Career Timeline
- 1989 – Born in Guildford, England to Phil Collins and Jill Tavelman.
- 1990s – Moves to Los Angeles after parents divorce; appears in early TV episodes as a child.
- 2009 – Makes film debut in The Blind Side.
- 2012 – Stars in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and Stuck in Love.
- 2014 – Leads Love, Rosie and The Quiet Ones.
- 2016 – Stars in Rules Don’t Apply (Golden Globe nomination) and releases memoir Unfiltered.
- 2017 – Plays an anorexic young woman in To the Bone, drawing on personal experiences.
- 2020 – Begins starring in Netflix series Emily in Paris.
- 2021 – Marries director Charlie McDowell in Colorado.
- 2025 – Welcomes first child, a daughter born via surrogate.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Lily Collins?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth, place of birth, and parental relationships are well documented. | Net worth estimates vary widely; no official figure. |
| Marriage to Charlie McDowell is confirmed by multiple reliable sources. | Exact details about the baby (name, exact birth date) have not been publicly disclosed as of early 2025. |
| Filmography is publicly verified through IMDb and Wikipedia. | Weight is not officially confirmed; approximate ranges exist but are unofficial. |
How Did Lily Collins Build Her Career?
Collins rose to prominence in the 2010s as a versatile actress, leveraging her family name while building an independent identity. Her role in Emily in Paris made her a household name, and her openness about mental health and body image strengthened her public image. Her marriage to director Charlie McDowell and recent motherhood add new dimensions to her personal story.
She studied broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California after graduating from Harvard-Westlake School. Before acting became her primary focus, she wrote for publications such as Teen Vogue and the Los Angeles Times.
What Are the Key Sources and Quotes About Lily Collins?
“I count myself the luckiest lady to be going through life with you.” – Lily Collins on Charlie McDowell, Instagram, 2021.
“Joy is being your mom. Thinking of all my fellow mamas…” – Facebook post, 2025.
“Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me” – Lily Collins’ 2017 memoir.
For comprehensive biography and filmography, authoritative sources include Wikipedia and Britannica. Her official social media accounts, including Instagram and Facebook, provide personal updates. Movie ratings and reviews are available on Rotten Tomatoes. IMDb offers a comprehensive filmography and credit list here.
Lily Collins: A Quick Overview
Lily Collins has established herself as a leading actress in both film and television, with a career defined by notable roles and a willingness to share her personal struggles. Her marriage to Charlie McDowell and the birth of their daughter add new chapters to her ongoing story. For a similar deep dive into another actress’s career, see Julia Roberts – Biography, Movies, Family and Net Worth 2025. Fans of To the Bone may also be interested in Sam Claflin – Biography, Movies, Age, Height and Net Worth, who co-starred in that film.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lily Collins
What is Lily Collins’ nationality?
She holds dual British and American citizenship. She was born in England and raised in the United States.
Where was Lily Collins born?
She was born in Guildford, Surrey, England.
How did Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell meet?
They were introduced by a mutual friend in early 2019 and started dating soon after.
Does Lily Collins have siblings?
She has a half-brother, Simon Collins, and two half-sisters, Joely Collins and Lily Collins (not to be confused), from Phil Collins’ other relationships.
What is Lily Collins’ most famous movie?
While she has many films, her most recognized role is Emily Cooper in the Netflix series Emily in Paris.
Has Lily Collins won any awards?
She received a Golden Globe nomination for Rules Don’t Apply and has won several People’s Choice Awards for Emily in Paris.
Does Lily Collins have a baby?
Yes, she and Charlie McDowell welcomed a daughter named Tove Jane McDowell via surrogate in early 2025.
Is Lily Collins related to Phil Collins?
Yes, Phil Collins is her biological father. He is not her husband; that is Charlie McDowell.
What is Lily Collins’ height?
She is 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) tall.
When was Lily Collins born?
March 18, 1989.
James Morgan is Senior Reporter at readingwire.co.uk, covering breaking UK and world news, politics and current affairs.