Kiernan Shipka Bio
Kiernan Brennan Shipka (born November 10, 1999) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Sally Draper in the AMC drama series Mad Men (2007–2015) and Sabrina Spellman in the Netflix fantasy series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020). Shipka has also starred in The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015) and the recent series Swimming with Sharks (2022). Recognized for her talent, she has earned accolades including the Screen Actors Guild Award for her performances.
Early Life and Background
Kiernan Shipka was born in Chicago, Illinois, to John Young Shipka, a real estate developer, and Erin Ann Brennan. She is of mostly Irish and Slovak descent, with notable German, English, Scottish, and Italian heritage. Shipka began taking ballroom dancing classes at the age of five, and her family relocated to Los Angeles, California, when she was six to support her acting career. This move marked the beginning of her journey into the entertainment industry.
Path to Hollywood
Shipka made her television debut at just five months old on the hospital drama ER. She began commercial-print modeling as a baby and took on small television roles before landing her first major role as Sally Draper on Mad Men. Her performance in this series garnered critical acclaim, and she became a series regular after three seasons. During her time on Mad Men, Shipka also voiced Jinora in the Nickelodeon animated series The Legend of Korra and starred in the Lifetime movie Flowers in the Attic, based on the novel by V.C. Andrews.
Kiernan Shipka Career
Early Career (2006–2017)
Shipka’s early career was marked by her role in Mad Men, which began in 2007. She received significant recognition for her portrayal of Sally Draper, earning two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2008 and 2009. Critics praised her performance, noting her ability to convey complex emotions at a young age. In 2017, she portrayed B.D. Hyman in the FX series Feud: Bette and Joan, further establishing her presence in the industry.
Breakthrough (2018–2021)
In January 2018, it was announced that Shipka would star as Sabrina Spellman in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The series premiered in October 2018 and ran for four parts, concluding in December 2020. Shipka reprised her role in two episodes of Riverdale, showcasing her versatility as an actress. During this period, she also starred in the horror film The Silence, where she learned American Sign Language for her role.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kiernan Shipka’s signature works include Mad Men and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Her performances have earned her critical acclaim and several awards, solidifying her status as a talented young actress in Hollywood.
Kiernan Shipka Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Kiernan Shipka has received multiple award nominations, highlighting her talent and contributions to the entertainment industry.
Kiernan Shipka Awards Won
Shipka has won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for her work on Mad Men, showcasing her exceptional talent as an actress.
Kiernan Shipka Family
Kiernan Shipka is the daughter of John Young Shipka and Erin Ann Brennan. Details about her family life are limited, as she tends to keep her personal life private.
Personal Life
Information regarding Kiernan Shipka’s personal life, including relationships and children, is not publicly available, as she maintains a low profile outside of her professional endeavors.
