Emma Kenney Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies & TV Shows, Boyfriend

Emma Kenney is an American actress best known for her roles as Debbie Gallagher in the Showtime series Shameless and Harris Conner-Healy in Roseanne and its spin-off The Conners.

Starting her career as a child, she has grown into a versatile performer with a strong presence in television and advocacy for social causes like animal rights.

Profile

• Full Name: Emma Rose Kenney
• Stage Name: Emma Kenney
• Born: September 14, 1999
• Age: 25 years old
• Birthplace: Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American Actress, and Voice Artist
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches
• Parents: Gillian Kenney (mother), and Kevin Kenney (father)
• Siblings: One brother (name undisclosed)
• Spouse: Not Married
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1 million to $5 million

Early Life and Education

Emma Rose Kenney was born on September 14, 1999, in Manhattan, New York City, to Gillian Kenney, a criminal defense lawyer, and Kevin Kenney, a sports writer formerly with the New York Post and now with Fox Sports.

Raised in Scotch Plains and Fanwood, New Jersey, Emma showed an early passion for acting, starting improv classes at age five with her friend Ciera Gill. She grew up in a supportive, middle-class family with one older brother, though his name remains private.

Emma attended Park Middle School in Scotch Plains, where she was selected for Shameless in seventh grade. She later graduated from Oak Park High School and studied at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, focusing on writing and directing.

She is bilingual in Spanish and has studied journalism, biology, psychology (BSc), and counseling (advanced diploma). Her Virgo zodiac sign and Chinese zodiac Rabbit reflect her diligent and empathetic nature.

Career

Emma’s career began with commercials and voiceovers for Scholastic Books. At eight, her manager secured her a role in the short film Lyre Liar (2008), followed by Bittersweet (2008).

In 2009, at age nine, she wrote and directed The New Girl in Town, becoming the youngest finalist at the New Jersey International Film Festival at Rutgers University.

Her breakthrough came in 2011 when she landed the role of Debbie Gallagher in Shameless at age 10, portraying a complex character in a dysfunctional family across 122 episodes until 2021. Her performance, including Debbie’s controversial teenage pregnancy arc, earned critical acclaim.

In 2013, Emma voiced Marigold Girl in the animated film Epic, which grossed $268.4 million worldwide. She appeared in Boardwalk Empire (2011) and short films like A (Not So) Civil Union and Three Little Puppets (2009).

In 2017, she voiced Sarma in My Love Affair with Marriage. In 2018, she joined the Roseanne revival as Harris Conner-Healy, continuing the role in The Conners (2018–present), acting alongside John Goodman and Sara Gilbert.

Recent roles include Robert the Bruce (2019), Murder at Yellowstone City (2022), and the upcoming Back to Lyla (2020, delayed release). Emma aspires to direct and plans to open an animal shelter, reflecting her advocacy for animal rights with PETA.

Awards and Nominations

• 2009: Youngest finalist at the New Jersey International Film Festival for The New Girl in Town.
• 2011–2021: Critical acclaim for her role as Debbie Gallagher in Shameless, establishing her as a household name. Her advocacy work with PETA and consistent TV presence highlight her influence.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @emmakenney
• Twitter Handle: @EmmaRoseKenney

Personal Life

Emma Kenney is single and has not been publicly linked to any relationships, humorously claiming to be “dating her career.” In a 2014 Vulture interview, she mentioned past crushes on Dylan O’Brien, Harry Styles, Jeremy Allen White, and Ansel Elgort but clarified no serious romances.

She once tweeted about her single life jokingly, referencing a solo dinner at Bob’s Big Boy. Emma lives in Los Angeles, pursuing her acting career and animal welfare initiatives. She maintains a close friendship with Shameless co-star Ethan Cutkosky, with whom she shares holiday hangouts.

Her parents, particularly her father, who supervised her on Shameless sets, remain supportive. Emma enjoys music by Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Eminem, and One Direction and is known for her fun-loving, party-going side with friends.

She has avoided major controversies, though her Shameless character’s polarizing arcs sparked debate. Her advocacy for animal adoption and veganism resonates with fans.

Filmography

• Lyre Liar (2008, Short Film) – Daughter
• Bittersweet (2008, Film) – Emma
• A (Not So) Civil Union (2009, Short Film) – Role unknown
• Three Little Puppets (2009, Short Film) – Role unknown
• The New Girl in Town (2009, Short Film, Writer/Director) – Herself
• Epic (2013, Animated Film) – Marigold Girl (voice)
• Paper Prison (2014, Short Film) – Narrator (voice)
• Robert the Bruce (2019, Film) – Brianna
• Murder at Yellowstone City (2022, Film) – Rebecca Davies
• Back to Lyla (2020, Film, delayed release) – Rebecca
• My Love Affair with Marriage (2017, Animated Film) – Sarma (voice)

Television (Selected):

• Green Apples (2009, TV Film) – Role unknown
• Day Camp (2009, TV Film) – Role unknown
• Boardwalk Empire (2011, Series) – Role unknown
• Shameless (2011–2021, Series) – Debbie Gallagher
• Roseanne (2018, Series) – Harris Conner-Healy
• The Conners (2018–present, Series) – Harris Conner-Healy

Net Worth

Emma Kenney’s estimated net worth is $1 million to $5 million. Her primary income comes from acting, notably earning $12,000 per episode for Shameless’ first season, increasing by 4% per season to approximately $13,000 by season three, with higher rates later. Her 122 episodes on Shameless, plus roles in The Conners and films like Epic, contribute significantly.