Emma Kenney Explained

Emma Rose Kenney (born September 14, 1999) is an American actress known as Debbie Gallagher on Shameless from 2011-2021, and Harris Conner-Healy in the tenth season of Roseanne and its spin-off, The Conners.

Early life

Kenney was born on September 14, 1999, in New York City. Her parents are Gillian Kenney, a criminal defense lawyer, and Kevin Kenney, a sports writer who formerly wrote for the New York Post and now works for Fox Sports.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} She has been a resident of Fanwood, New Jersey.^[5]

Career

Kenney made several appearances in short and made-for-television films. In 2009, at nine years old, she was the youngest filmmaker to be a finalist at the New Jersey International Film Festival at Rutgers University.^[6]

Kenney appeared as Debbie Gallagher, the on-air daughter of William H. Macy in the comedic drama Shameless. Kenney won the role at 10 years old, while attending Park Middle School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.^[7]

In September 2017, it was announced that Kenney would appear in the 10th season of Roseanne, which served as a revival of the series and premiered on ABC on March 27, 2018. She portrays Harris Conner Healy, the granddaughter of the sitcom's titular character.^[8] Kenney appeared alongside many of the show's original cast members, including Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, and Sara Gilbert, with Gilbert portraying her TV mother, Darlene Conner Healy.^[9] On May 29, 2018, ABC cancelled the revival after one season.^{[10] [11] [12]}

ABC subsequently ordered a Roseanne spin-off called The Conners, which would not include Roseanne Barr, but would retain the remaining main cast, including Kenney. The Conners premiered on October 16, 2018 and eventually concluded after airing for seven seasons on April 23, 2025.^{[13] [14]}

Filmography

Film

Television

External links

• • Debbie Gallagher on Showtime

Notes and References

1. http://www.igoliveapp.com/l/qsnKWoDyqen1v5dy.html lazy day q&a
2. News: Visit an Animal Sanctuary in California with Shameless Star Emma Kenney ⋆ South Side Fans . July 26, 2017 . South Side Fans . March 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034017/http://southsidefans.com/news/visit-an-animal-sanctuary-in-california-with-shameless-star-emma-kenney/ . June 27, 2018 . dead.
3. News: 'Shameless' Star Emma Kenney Juggles Acting and Middle School . Backstage.com . March 21, 2018.
4. Web site: Sweet success: Seventh grader lands role on HBO series . The Fanscotian . March 21, 2018.
5. https://www.nj.com/insidejersey/2010/05/new_jersey_film_festival_focus.html "Albert Nigrin, man with a movie projector"
6. News: 9-year-old filmmaker invited to play N.J. film festival at Rutgers . The Star-Ledger . May 21, 2009 . March 21, 2018.
7. News: Sweet success: Seventh grader lands role on HBO series . December 12, 2011 . The Fanscotian . March 21, 2018.
8. 'Shameless' Star Emma Kenney Cast in 'Roseanne', Revival . Entertainment Weekly . March 21, 2018.
9. News: Roseanne sets return date for ABC with most of original cast . December 19, 2017 . The Disney Blog . March 21, 2018.
10. News: Pallotta . Frank . Stelter . Brian . ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after star's Twitter comments . May 29, 2018 . CNN Money . May 29, 2018.
11. News: Park . Andrea . ABC cancels "Roseanne" after Barr's tweet . May 29, 2018 . CBS News . May 29, 2018.
12. Web site: ABC cancels "Roseanne" after show's star compared Obama adviser to 'ape' . Chandelis R. Duster . May 29, 2018 . NBC News . May 29, 2018.
13. Web site: Emma Kenney The Conners . ABC . December 10, 2019.
14. News: The Conners Ends on an Emotional Note: How the Family Honored Roseanne in the Series Finale. Stephanie. Wenger. People. April 23, 2025. April 24, 2025.