Rob McElhenney

Rob McElhenney (born Robert McElhenney III) is an actor, writer and producer best known for creating and starring as Mac on the long-running sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. McElhenney spent his childhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the eldest of three children. He attended Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School before enrolling at Temple University but left to pursue acting.

McElhenney began his acting career with small roles in films like The Devil’s Own (1997) and A Civil Action (1998) and guest spots on shows such as Law & Order and ER. In 2005, he created the comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia with friends Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton. The series debuted on FX in 2005 and eventually became the longest running live action sitcom on U.S. television. Season 17 of the show is set to premiere in July 2025.

He has also appeared in films such as The Tollbooth (2004) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), in which he made a brief cameo.

In addition to It’s Always Sunny, McElhenney cocreated and starred in the Apple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest from 2020 to 2025. He also co-owns the Welsh soccer club Wrexham A.F.C. with actor Ryan Reynolds. Their partnership is documented in the FX series Welcome to Wrexham. The series won the executive producer Emmys for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program in 2023 and 2024.

McElhenney married It’s Always Sunny costar Kaitlin Olson in 2008. They share sons Axel (born in 2010) and Leo (born in 2012).