Lily Collins has spent most of her life in front of cameras, first as the child of a famous musician and later as a leading actress with a string of films and a hit Netflix series to her name. Born in England and raised largely in Los Angeles, she has built a career that spans teen dramas, biographical roles and high fashion comedy. This profile gathers the documented facts about her background, work and the estimates that circulate about her earnings.
Early life and famous family
Lily Jane Collins was born on March 18, 1989, in Guildford, Surrey, England. Her father is the musician Phil Collins and her mother is Jill Tavelman, who is American. When her parents divorced, she moved to Los Angeles with her mother at age seven. She attended Harvard-Westlake School and later studied broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California, though she left before graduating to pursue acting. She has said that growing up with a famous parent made her determined to build her own identity in the industry.
Acting beginnings and breakthrough
Collins appeared in a BBC production as a young child, but her professional acting career took shape in the late 2000s. Early roles included the television series 90210 and the film The Blind Side in 2009, where she played the daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character. The film was a commercial success and raised her profile. She followed with parts in Priest, Abduction and Mirror Mirror, where she played Snow White. In 2013 she starred in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, based on the bestselling young adult novels. The film did not launch a franchise as hoped, but it introduced her to a new audience.
Dramatic roles and critical respect
In 2016 Collins took on the lead role in To the Bone, a Netflix film about a young woman with an eating disorder. Her performance drew praise for its sensitivity. In 2019 she starred in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile as the longtime girlfriend of Ted Bundy, opposite Zac Efron. That same year she appeared in the biographical drama Tolkien. These roles marked a shift toward more serious, character driven projects. Around this time she also published her first book, Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me, a collection of essays about body image, relationships and self acceptance, which became a bestseller.
Emily in Paris and global fame
In 2020 Collins began starring as Emily Cooper in the Netflix comedy Emily in Paris, created by Darren Star. The series follows a young American marketing executive who moves to Paris for work. It became one of Netflix’s most watched comedies and made Collins a household name. She also serves as a producer on the show. The series has run for multiple seasons, with a fifth season confirmed. Collins has spoken about wanting to bring more diversity to the cast and crew and to give deeper storylines to supporting characters. The show has been criticized for its portrayal of French culture, but it remains a major success for the streaming service. For her performance, Collins received a Golden Globe nomination.
Other projects and creative work
Beyond Emily in Paris, Collins has continued to act in films. In 2022 she starred in Windfall, a Netflix thriller also featuring Jesse Plemons and Jason Segel, which she produced. In 2024 she appeared in the horror sequel MaXXXine. She has also worked as a model, fronting campaigns for luxury brands such as Cartier, Chanel and Lancôme. Her writing has continued as well; she has contributed to teen magazines and released her memoir.
Personal life
Collins married director Charlie McDowell in September 2021. McDowell is the son of actors Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Tove, via surrogate in January 2025. Collins has described herself as shy and a homebody, in contrast with her bubbly on screen persona. She and her husband have bought property in Copenhagen, which they treat as a second home.
Net worth estimates
Several outlets have published estimates of Collins’s net worth, but these are not confirmed by the actress or her representatives. The most frequently cited figure is $25 million, attributed to Celebrity Net Worth and reported by outlets such as Life & Style and Cosmopolitan in 2024 and 2025. As for her Emily in Paris salary, Netflix has not disclosed what she is paid. Cosmopolitan has estimated that she earns around $300,000 per episode, which would amount to roughly $3 million for a 10 episode season, but this is an unverified estimate. Collins also has income from film roles, brand endorsements and real estate. For example, she sold a Pasadena home in 2025 for just over $6 million. These figures are presented as estimates and should be treated with caution.
| Source | Published amount | Date or year | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Net Worth (as reported by Life & Style) | $25 million | 2024 | Unverified estimate |
| Celebrity Net Worth (as reported by Cosmopolitan) | $25 million | 2025 | Unverified estimate |
| Celebrity Net Worth (as reported by Yahoo StyleCaster) | $25 million | 2024 | Unverified estimate |
Frequently asked questions
What is Lily Collins known for?
She is best known for playing Emily Cooper in the Netflix series Emily in Paris. She has also appeared in films such as The Blind Side, To the Bone, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, and MaXXXine.
Is Lily Collins British or American?
She holds both British and American citizenship. She was born in England and moved to the United States as a child.
How old is Lily Collins?
She was born on March 18, 1989. As of November 2026, she is 37 years old.
What is Lily Collins’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but Celebrity Net Worth has placed her net worth at $25 million. This is an unverified estimate and not a confirmed figure.
How much does Lily Collins make per episode of Emily in Paris?
Netflix has not disclosed her salary. Cosmopolitan has estimated that she earns around $300,000 per episode, but this is not confirmed.
Is Lily Collins married?
Yes, she married director Charlie McDowell in September 2021. They have one child, a daughter named Tove, born in January 2025 via surrogate.
Featured image: Montclair Film / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).
