When you hear the name Gary Owen, you probably think of the famous American comedian who makes people laugh. But today, we’re going to talk about someone who lives a much quieter life—Emilio Owen, Gary’s stepson. Even though Emilio is connected to a celebrity family, he has chosen to stay away from the spotlight and live his own life.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Emilio William Toliver (known as Emilio Owen) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 18, 1991 |
| Age | 34 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| Mother | Kenya Duke |
| Biological Father | Emilio Toliver Sr. |
| Stepfather | Gary Owen (married mother in 2003) |
| Siblings | Austin Owen and Kennedy Owen (half-siblings) |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship with Taylor Patton |
| Height | Around 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Education | Lakota West High School, The Art Institute of Ohio-Cincinnati |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (African American heritage) |
Early Life and Family Background
Emilio Owen was born on January 18, 1991, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His mother is Kenya Duke, a successful businesswoman who owns a travel company called Premier Sports and Corporate Travel. His biological father is Emilio Toliver Sr., though not much information is available about him.
When Emilio was a young boy, his life changed when his mother met Gary Owen at a comedy club where Gary was performing. After dating for several years, Kenya and Gary got married on July 19, 2003. This marriage created a blended family, and Gary became Emilio’s stepfather.
Even though Gary wasn’t his biological father, he treated Emilio as his own son. Gary often called Emilio his “first son” and showed him lots of love and respect. Growing up, Emilio learned what it means to be part of a mixed family where everyone cares for each other.
Growing Up with Famous Parents
Life wasn’t always ordinary for Emilio. His stepfather, Gary Owen, is a well-known comedian and actor who appeared in movies like “Think Like a Man” and “Daddy Day Care.” Gary also had his own TV show called “The Gary Owen Show” on BET in 2016, which gave viewers a look into their family life.
Despite having a famous stepfather, Emilio’s mother, Kenya, made sure he had a normal childhood. She worked hard to keep his personal life private so he could grow up without too much attention from the media.
Emilio spent most of his childhood in Ohio. He was the oldest child in the family, which meant he often took care of his younger half-siblings, Austin and Kennedy Owen. The three siblings grew up close to each other, and Gary often shared pictures of them together on social media.
Education and Interests
Emilio went to Lakota West High School in West Chester Township, Ohio. During his school years, he developed an interest in art and creativity. After finishing high school, he decided to study at The Art Institute of Ohio-Cincinnati, where he focused on art and design.
His love for creative subjects shows that Emilio has his own passions and interests. Unlike his stepfather who chose comedy and entertainment, Emilio followed a different path that suited his personality better.
Life Away from the Spotlight
One of the most interesting things about Emilio is how private he is. In today’s world, many people who are connected to celebrities try to become famous themselves. But Emilio made a different choice. He doesn’t have active public social media accounts, rarely appears at events, and avoids giving interviews.
This decision shows that Emilio values his privacy and wants to build his own identity separate from his stepfather’s fame. While we don’t know exactly what career path he chose, those who know him describe him as humble, grounded, and respectful.
Personal Life and Relationship
Emilio Owen has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Taylor Patton. Taylor is from South Lebanon, Ohio, and works as an operations expert at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shields. The couple has been together for several years, though they keep most details about their relationship private.
Like Emilio, Taylor seems to prefer staying out of the public eye. The couple occasionally shares moments from their life together, but they maintain healthy boundaries when it comes to privacy.
Relationship with Gary Owen
The bond between Emilio and Gary Owen is an important part of his story. When Gary married Kenya, he fully accepted Emilio as his own child. Over the years, Gary showed his love for Emilio through social media posts, birthday wishes, and family celebrations.
Gary often mentioned Emilio in his comedy routines, talking about the experience of being a stepfather in a blended, mixed-race family. These stories not only made people laugh but also showed the real love and respect Gary had for Emilio.
However, family life isn’t always easy. In 2021, Gary and Kenya went through a difficult divorce after 18 years of marriage. This split created distance between Gary and his children, including Emilio. Gary has publicly talked about how hard it has been to be separated from his kids and has expressed a strong desire to reconnect with them.
Despite these challenges, the love that was built over many years remains. Family relationships can be complex, especially in blended families, but they can also be filled with genuine care and understanding.
Physical Appearance
Emilio Owen is around 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 165 pounds. He has dark brown eyes and black curly hair, which reflects his African American heritage. People who have seen him describe his style as casual and comfortable. Unlike his stepfather who is often in the media, recent photos of Emilio are rare because he avoids public appearances.
What Does Emilio Do Now?
As of 2025, Emilio Owen is 34 years old. While his exact profession isn’t publicly known, it’s believed that he may be working in creative fields, possibly involving design or art, based on his educational background.
Emilio continues to live a private life, focusing on personal growth, close friendships, and family loyalty. Even though his family went through tough times with the divorce, Emilio has remained a supportive son and brother.
The Bigger Picture
Emilio Owen’s story teaches us something important: not everyone who is connected to fame wants to be famous. While many celebrity children use their family connections to build their own public careers, Emilio chose a different path.
He shows us that it’s okay to live a quiet, meaningful life focused on personal values rather than public attention. His choice to stay private doesn’t mean his life is less interesting—it just means he values different things.
Growing up in a blended family also shaped who Emilio is today. He learned about love, respect, and acceptance from watching his mother and stepfather build a family together. Even when things got difficult, the lessons from those years helped him become the person he is now.
Conclusion
Emilio Owen may not be a household name like his stepfather Gary Owen, but his story is worth knowing. He is a young man who has chosen to live life on his own terms, valuing privacy and personal identity over public recognition.
From his early years in Cincinnati to his education in art and design, from his close relationship with his siblings to his long-term partnership with Taylor Patton, Emilio has built a life that reflects his own values and choices.
His journey reminds us that being part of a famous family doesn’t mean you have to follow the same path. Sometimes the most meaningful lives are the ones lived quietly, with dignity, love, and respect for yourself and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Emilio Owen?
Emilio Owen is the stepson of famous American comedian Gary Owen and the biological son of Kenya Duke. He was born on January 18, 1991, and is known for living a very private life away from the entertainment world.
2. Is Gary Owen Emilio’s real father?
No, Gary Owen is Emilio’s stepfather. His biological father is Emilio Toliver Sr. Gary married Emilio’s mother, Kenya Duke, in 2003 and raised Emilio as his own son, often calling him his “first son.”
3. Does Emilio Owen have any siblings?
Yes, Emilio has two half-siblings from his mother’s marriage to Gary Owen. His younger brother is Austin Owen (born November 27, 2000) and his younger sister is Kennedy Owen (born July 3, 2002).
4. What does Emilio Owen do for a living?
Emilio’s exact career is not publicly known because he maintains a very private life. However, based on his education at The Art Institute of Ohio-Cincinnati, he likely works in creative fields such as art, design, or media.
5. Is Emilio Owen married?
Emilio is not married, but he has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Taylor Patton, who works as an operations expert at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shields. The couple has been together for several years.
