See the ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ cast, then and now

Glenn Howerton (Dennis Reynolds)

Though he fancies himself the most well-adjusted member of The Gang, Dennis is arguably the creepiest of the bunch, a vain narcissist with an almost Manson-esque self-image. His aggressively antagonistic relationship with sister Dee usually devolves into a battle of who can hurt the other the most. Yet that’s probably the healthiest relationship he has with any woman in his life.

Bringing Dennis to tediously well-coiffed life is Glenn Howerton. Though Sunny remains his signature role, he’s carved out time to headline A.P. Bio (2018–2021) and make recurring appearances on The Mindy Project (2013–2017) and the first season of Fargo (2014). He recently appeared opposite Julianne Moore in Netflix’s potboiler Sirens (2025).

While most of his big-screen work has been bit parts — including Crank (2006) and The Hunt (2020) — he earned widespread acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his volatile (and very bald, which would surely horrify Dennis) performance in BlackBerry (2023).

During a 2025 panel celebrating the sitcom’s 20th anniversary, Howerton told EW why he briefly left the show during season 12, only to return the following year.

“I was worried that maybe we had sort of peaked or something… We’ve been doing this for a long time and I think I was also anxious. I had not figured out yet how to stretch myself… I was aching to do other things and so I was starting to feel a little boxed in, frankly,” he said. “I just thought like maybe we should [end it], and then they were like, ‘We don’t want to end it,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, well, I can’t stop you.’” 

Howerton has been married to Jill Latiano since 2009. They share two children.

Kaitlin Olson (Deandra “Sweet Dee” Reynolds)

As socially insecure as her brother but perhaps slightly (just slightly) less deranged, Sweet Dee is the only member of The Gang who could conceivably be called an adult. She’s the only one living without roommates — and she has aspirations outside the bar. Then again, her dreams of being a successful actor and comedian are dashed by an unwavering fear of public speaking (and lack of talent).

The role was a breakthrough for Kaitlin Olson — and her physical comedy chops made all the difference. She spoke to EW ahead of Sunny’s 15th season about her willingness to take on any gag.

“As long as it’s funny, I’ll do it,” she said. “We shot an episode where Dee sinks in a bog, which I was very excited about, because it sounds hilarious. I also knew it was going to be miserable, which most of my hilarious things are.”

In addition to an early career stint on The Drew Carey Show (2002–2004), Olson has popped up on various hit comedies, including Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2020) and New Girl (2014–2015). In recent years, she’s found more official side hustles, first on Fox’s sitcom The Mick (2017–2018) and currently as a genius amateur sleuth on High Potential (2024–present). She also recurs on the Emmy-winning hit Hacks (2021–present).

Olson and Mac began dating in 2006 and married in September 2008. They share two sons, Axel and Leo.

Charlie Day (Charlie Kelly)

The Gang’s least intelligent and most depraved individual, Charlie Kelly is also the only member besides Dennis who possesses any form of technical skill. His position as Paddy’s handyman keeps the place running, even if most of his solutions are of the makeshift.

Though he has a genuine knack for music, he seems content to just stick with his life as-is, sharing a bed with longtime roommate Frank in their dingy apartment.

Charlie Day makes a meal out of his namesake character, somehow imbuing even his worst, most bizarre characteristics — his tendency to kill animals, obsessive stalking of the Waitress, and inability to functionally read or write — with a childlike innocence.

“I think people are nervous these days about what they say — maybe for the best, maybe not. And it’s probably a relief for people that there’s a television show based on a bunch of characters who always say the wrong thing,” Day told EW in 2019. “It’s kind of fun that you can at least get the chance to see someone say the wrong thing and laugh at them, or with them.”

Day has found big-screen success as part of the lead ensemble in the hit Horrible Bosses (2011), as half of a buddy duo opposite Ice Cube in Fist Fight (2017), and in a scene-stealing supporting turn in Pacific Rim (2013). He stretched his wings to play a smooth criminal in Hotel Artemis (2018) before writing, directing, and starring in the Hollywood satire Fool’s Paradise (2023).

A real-life punchline to the show’s mythology, Day has been married to the object of Charlie’s misguided affection, the Waitress actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis, since 2006. They welcomed a son in 2011.

Rob Mac (Mac)

Mac has been Charlie’s pal since childhood and has known Dennis since high school, but he still seems consistently unsettled about his position within The Gang. The son of a felon and (until season 9) a closeted homosexual, Mac tends to weaponize his extreme religious beliefs and morally dubious behavior.

Fittingly, Mac is played by series co-creator Rob Mac, who until just recently was billed as Rob McElhenney before deciding it simply wasn’t worth the upkeep anymore.

The actor told EW in 2019 that, more than a decade into the series, the cast has settled into comfortable, complementary rhythms.

“It’s still just as much work, but it’s less stressful because we have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t work,” he said. “We’re laughing a lot more. I think in the beginning we were just still trying to figure out what the show was and who the characters are, and that’s stressful.”

Mac also created the Apple TV+ series Mythic Quest (2020–2025) along with Day. He also appears as himself on the soccer reality show Welcome to Wrexham (2022–present) alongside fellow Wrexham A.F.C. owner Ryan Reynolds (no relation to Dennis, Dee, or Frank).

Mac has been married to costar Olson since 2008. They had been secretly dating early in the show’s run. The couple shares two sons.

Danny DeVito (Frank Reynolds)

A deceitful businessman and devoted drug addict, the clinically unwell Frank Reynolds — longtime absentee father to Dennis and Dee — lives with Charlie in squalor (though neither seems to mind). Despite his low-rent lifestyle, he has bottomless cash, which is routinely used to finance The Gang’s various ventures.

Frank was introduced in season 2, but the actor playing him needs no introduction. Danny DeVito, the most seasoned member of the cast, joined the series after being impressed with its debauched vision.

“What made me do it was the fun of it,” DeVito told EW in 2019. “I love to have a good time. Let’s see, I’m 30 years older than them, so it’s kind of like hanging out with your kids. Glenn and Kaitlin are my kids on the show, but I feel like they’re all my kids.” 

Of course, DeVito has been a beloved figure in pop culture since his iconic run as Louie De Palma on Taxi (1978–1983). He later made up a memorably mismatched pair opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins (1988) and brought gross-out energy to the Penguin in Batman Returns (1992). The actor has also played several scoundrels in Romancing the Stone (1984), L.A. Confidential (1997), and Heist (2001).

The veteran entertainer has a substantial presence behind the camera. In addition to the generational touchstone Matilda (1996), he directed Throw Momma from the Train (1987),  The War of the Roses (1989), and Death to Smoochy (2002).

DeVito has been married to Rhea Perlman since 1982. They have three children together.

Mary Elizabeth Ellis (The Waitress)

The Waitress has been the object of Charlie’s affections for nearly two decades, despite her protests (and the fact that she’d rather sleep with Dennis than give Charlie the time of day).

While we never learn the character’s actual name, the actress is Mary Elizabeth Ellis. The Waitress is her most enduring role, but she’s picked up plenty of comedy work, from Perfect Couples (2010–2011) and Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019) to The Grinder (2015–2016), opposite Rob Lowe.

Ellis also landed supporting roles in Masterminds (2016), the Santa epic Red One (2024), and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza (2021).

She has been in a relationship with Day for nearly a quarter-century. They married in 2006 and share a son.