Minka Kelly Bio, Age, Height, Boyfriend, Movies, Memoir, Net Worth

Minka Kelly Biography

Minka Kelly (born June 24, 1980) is an American actress, author, and former model. She first gained major attention for playing Lyla Garrity on Friday Night Lights (2006–2009).

She had a challenging upbringing, often moving and living under difficult conditions with her mother. Her memoir, Tell Me Everything, released in May 2023, candidly explores her trauma, loss, and journey toward healing. The book debuted at #12 on the New York Times non-fiction best-seller list.

In her acting career, Kelly has shown range: she appeared in 500 Days of Summer, The Roommate, Parenthood, Euphoria, and Titans. She starred in the supernatural horror film Blackwater Lane, which released in June 2024.

In 2025, Kelly returned to the spotlight with the Netflix Western drama Ransom Canyon, playing former piano prodigy Quinn O’Grady. She learned to play three piano pieces by ear (she can’t read music), and credits her partner, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, for helping with hand placements and practice. In interviews, she described Quinn as “Lyla 20 years later,” highlighting both characters’ growth and self-discovery.

Kelly also stars in Netflix’s upcoming holiday rom-com Champagne Problems, scheduled for release in late 2025.

On the personal front, she’s been in a relationship with Dan Reynolds since 2022. Beyond acting, she remains humble: she’s said she would return to her “scrub nurse” days if her acting career slowed.

Minka Kelly Age | How Old is Minka Kelly?

Minka Kelly is 45 years old as of 2025. She was born on June 24, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. Despite being in her mid-40s, she remains youthful, active, and thriving in her acting and writing career.

Actress Minka Kelly Height | How Tall is Minka Kelly?

Minka Kelly stands at 5 feet 5 inches (approximately 165 cm). Despite her Hollywood career, she often jokes that her “bubble butt” makes her feel taller. Her height reflects a slender, natural build, which has become part of her signature on-screen presence.

Minka Kelly Ethnicity | What Ethnicity is Minka Kelly?

Minka Kelly has a diverse ethnic background, reflecting her unique heritage. She was born to Rick Dufay, a French-American guitarist, and her mother, who has Dutch-Indonesian, German, English, Scottish, and possibly Austrian ancestry. This rich blend of cultures gives Kelly her distinctive appearance and adds depth to her identity, making her one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and multiracial actresses.

Minka Kelly Nationality

Minka Kelly holds American nationality, as she was born in Los Angeles, California, U.S. on June 24, 1980. Despite her American citizenship, she has a rich ethnic heritage, including French, Irish, Dutch‑Indonesian, German, and other backgrounds

Minka Kelly Partner | Husband | Boyfriend Dan Reynolds

Who is Minka Kelly in a relationship with?

Minka Kelly is in a committed relationship with Dan Reynolds, lead singer of Imagine Dragons. They began dating in late 2022 after meeting through a mutual friend. Reynolds and Kelly bonded deeply by sharing their creative work — she shared her memoir, and he shared his song drafts. Kelly has said Reynolds “healed wounds” in her simply by being vulnerable and loving. They have a strong, healthy relationship built on trust, therapy, and emotional intimacy.

Minka Kelly Children | Kids

Minka Kelly does not have any children as of 2025. Despite this, she has publicly expressed a deep desire to become a mother in the future. She has opened up about her past, sharing that she had a pregnancy in her teens but made a “smart decision.”

Minka Kelly Family | Parents

Minka Kelly grew up as an only child, with no siblings. Her mother, Maureen Dumont Kelly, worked as an exotic dancer and struggled to make ends meet. Her father, Rick Dufay, is a former Aerosmith guitarist. Although her parents separated early, she later reconnected with her father. Her mother died in 2008 of colon cancer.

Minka Kelly Movies & TV Shows | Filmography

Minka Kelly has built a versatile career in both movies and television, earning acclaim for her captivating performances. She first gained fame as Lyla Garrity on the TV series Friday Night Lights (2006–2009), her breakthrough role. Over the years, she has successfully balanced both film and television projects, showing her range across genres.

Selected Filmography:

• Friday Night Lights — Lyla Garrity (TV, 2006–2009)
• The Roommate — Sara Matthews (Film, 2011)
• Just Go with It — Joanna Damon (Film, 2011)
• Titans — Dawn Granger / Dove (TV, 2018–2021)
• Euphoria — Samantha (TV, 2019)
• Blackwater Lane — Cass Anderson (Film, 2024)
• Ransom Canyon — Quinn O’Grady (Netflix, 2025)
• Champagne Problems — Upcoming Netflix holiday rom-com (2025)

Minka Kelly’s career highlights showcase her adaptability and talent, making her one of Hollywood’s most dynamic actresses. Her ability to transition between drama, thriller, and comedy roles has helped maintain her relevance in both movies and TV shows.

Minka Kelly in Friday Night Lights

Minka Kelly gained widespread recognition playing Lyla Garrity on NBC’s hit TV series Friday Night Lights (2006–2009). She portrayed the cheerleader and star student struggling with love, faith, and family pressures. Lyla’s character dealt with her father’s alcoholism, her mother’s absence, and her evolving relationship with quarterback Tim Riggins.

Over four seasons, Kelly’s performance highlighted Lyla’s growth from a naive teenager to an independent young woman, captivating audiences and critics alike. She eventually left Dillon to attend Vanderbilt University, signaling her departure from the main cast. Despite her exit, Lyla remains a fan favorite, and Kelly briefly reprised the role for special appearances, proving the lasting impact of her portrayal.

This role served as Kelly’s breakthrough, establishing her as a talented actress capable of handling complex, emotional characters in both television and film.

Minka Kelly in Euphoria

Minka Kelly joined Euphoria in Season 2 as Samantha, a wealthy young mother. Creator Sam Levinson wrote the role specifically for her. Although Kelly initially accepted with little information, she embraced the character’s emotional depth. In a tense scene, she asked Maddy (Alexa Demie) to help unzip her purple gown. Kelly admitted she felt uncomfortable with the original nude version and successfully asked Levinson to keep her dressed. Overall, her mentor-like chemistry with Maddy added maturity and vulnerability to the show.

Minka Kelly Memoir | What Her Book Tell Me Everything Reveals

Minka Kelly published her memoir, Tell Me Everything, on May 2, 2023, via Henry Holt & Company. In it, she openly shares her traumatic childhood, growing up with a single mother who struggled with addiction. She describes periods of instability, even living in storage units during her youth. Moreover, she reflects on her early work in peep shows and reconciling with her estranged father, Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay. Kelly’s memoir explores resilience, forgiveness, and self‑acceptance, as she makes peace with her past.

Minka Kelly Dating History | Key Relationships

Did Minka Kelly date Trevor Noah?

Minka Kelly has been linked to several high-profile personalities. Here’s a list of her notable relationships:

• Taylor Kitsch — Co-star on Friday Night Lights; dated during the show’s run.
• Derek Jeter — Former New York Yankees star; dated from around 2008 to 2011.
• John Mayer — Musician; briefly linked in the early 2010s.
• Trevor Noah — Comedian and TV host; dated from 2020 to 2022.
• Dan Reynolds — Lead singer of Imagine Dragons; dating since late 2022.

Minka Kelly & Dan Reynolds | Inside Their Relationship

Minka Kelly and Dan Reynolds, the frontman of Imagine Dragons, began dating in November 2022. They connected through a mutual friend, and early on, they shared deeply personal work: she sent him her memoir draft, and he sent her new song lyrics. Over time, he helped her learn piano for her role in Ransom Canyon, showing her hand placements and guiding her practice. Kelly has said that Reynolds “healed wounds in me he did not inflict,” highlighting his vulnerability and honesty. The couple appears to be very close and supportive, balancing creativity and emotional depth in their strong, healthy relationship.

Minka Kelly Net Worth

Minka Kelly’s net worth is estimated at US$5 million. She earned this fortune through her acting career in TV shows and films, as well as her book sales. Despite her success, she has openly said she would return to her “backup” job as a scrub nurse if acting slowed down.