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Kaitlin Olson

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Kaitlin Olson
Headshot of Kaitlin Olson speaking at a conference
Olson at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Kaitlin Willow Olson

(1975-08-18) August 18, 1975 (age 49)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Oregon
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
Years active2000–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2008)​
Children2
Notes

Kaitlin Willow Olson McElhenney (born August 18, 1975)[4] is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her roles as Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds in the FX comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–present), Mackenzie "Mickey" Molng in the Fox comedy series The Mick (2017–2018),[5] Deborah "DJ" Vance Jr. in the HBO Max comedy-drama series Hacks (2021–present), and Morgan Gillory in the ABC crime drama series High Potential (2024–present).

Olson began her career in the Sunday Company at the Groundlings in Los Angeles. She played minor roles in various television comedies, including Becky in the HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiam (2000–2020), before she was cast in It's Always Sunny. Since then, she has gone on to appear in several comedy films, including Leap Year (2010), The Heat (2013), Vacation (2015), Finding Dory (2016), Arizona (2018), and Champions (2023).

Olson received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role as Cricket Melfi in the Quibi comedy series Flipped (2020), in the category of Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.[6] She went on to receive two more Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022 and 2024 for her role in Hacks.[7][8]

Early life

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Olson was born in Portland, Oregon,[9] on August 18, 1975[4] to Donald Lee Olson, a publisher, and Melinda Leora, a nurse.[10] Shortly after she was born, Olson moved with her family to Spokane, Washington[11] then to Vashon Island, Washington in Puget Sound. Olson lived there until she was eight.[12] Kaitlin's family went back to the Portland area, settling in Tualatin, where she grew up on a farm.[13][14] Her father worked as the publisher of the Portland Tribune[13] from 2000 to 2001.[15]

At age twelve, Olson was in a serious bicycle accident involving a vehicle, resulting in a fractured skull requiring reconstructive surgery.[13] She graduated from Tigard High School in Tigard, Oregon in 1993.[15][16] She studied theater at the University of Oregon, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in theater arts in 1997.[10] After college, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally.[17]

Career

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Olson was a member of The Groundlings Sunday Company, along with Dax Shepard.[13] She toured with the USO to Bosnia, Kosovo and Norway.

In 2000, Olson made her debut television appearance in the HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm as the recurring role of Becky, Cheryl Hines's sister. She also had a minor role in the film Coyote Ugly (2000). Olson went on to make guest appearances in several television series, including The Drew Carey Show (2002–2004), Punk'd (2003), Miss Match (2003), George Lopez (2004), and Out of Practice (2006).[18]

Olson received wider recognition when she was cast as Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds in the FX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-present), one of the then-four (later five) main characters on the series.[19] She garnered critical acclaim for her performance, with particular praise for her physical comedy.

In 2007, Olson played a recurring role as Hartley Underwood, the "one-armed" neighbor in the FX drama series The Riches. She had voice roles in numerous animated series, including Family Guy (2009–2011), Brickleberry (2012), Bob's Burgers (2015–2019), and The Simpsons (2016). She also had roles in the comedy film Weather Girl (2009), the romantic comedy film Leap Year (2010), and the animated film Escape from Planet Earth (2013). In the action comedy film The Heat (2013), Olson appeared as a Bulgarian drug addict who engages in an exchange of cultural perspectives (and insults) with Melissa McCarthy's character. She also appeared as an Arizona cop in the road comedy film Vacation (2015).

In 2016, Olson provided the voice of Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark, in Disney's animated sequel film Finding Dory.[20] Olson then starred as Mackenzie "Mickey" Molng in the Fox sitcom The Mick, which premiered in January 2017. She also served as an executive producer for the series.[21] The second season of The Mick premiered in September 2017. Fox canceled the series after the season ended in April 2018.[5]

Olson went on to appear in the dark comedy thriller film Arizona (2018) and guest starred in the Netflix workplace comedy series Space Force (2020). She also starred as Cricket Melfi in the Quibi comedy series Flipped (2020), which earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.

Since 2021, Olson has guest starred as Deborah "DJ" Vance Jr. in the HBO Max comedy-drama series Hacks.[22] For her performance in the series, she received two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

In 2023, Olson had a voice role in the Netflix animated series Agent Elvis and starred in the sports comedy-drama film Champions. The next year, she appeared in the teen comedy film Incoming.

Since 2024, Olson has starred in the lead role of Morgan Gillory in the ABC crime drama series High Potential, a remake of the French-Belgian series HPI. She also guest starred as Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds in the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary.

Personal life

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Kaitlin Olson is standing next to her husband in front of a building at night, smiling for a photograph
Olson with husband Rob McElhenney, 2010

Olson married her It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-star, Rob McElhenney, in Malibu, California on September 27, 2008.[23][24][25] The couple started secretly dating during the second season of the series.[26][27]

In 2009, McElhenney and Olson announced their purchase of Skinner's Bar in Philadelphia; it was renamed Mac's Tavern.[28] In 2010, Olson went into labor at a Los Angeles Dodgers home game against the Philadelphia Phillies; their son Axel was born in their California home as planned.[29] Their second son was born in 2012.[30]

In June 2016, the Human Rights Campaign released a video in tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting; in the video, Olson and others narrated the stories of the people killed there.[31][32]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2000 Eyes to Heaven Unknown
2000 Jacks Jocelyn
2000 Coyote Ugly Bidding Customer
2001 Fugly Cha Cha Short film
2003 Scapegoats Jeannie Short film
2009 Weather Girl Sherry
2010 Leap Year Libby
2010 Held Up Rocky II
2012 Trading Up Barbara Manzer Short film
2013 Escape from Planet Earth 3D Movie Girl Voice role
2013 The Heat Tatiana
2015 Vacation Arizona Cop
2016 Finding Dory Destiny Voice role
2018 Arizona Vicki
2023 Champions Alex
2024 Incoming Ms. Nielsen

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2000–2020 Curb Your Enthusiasm Becky 7 episodes
2002–2004 The Drew Carey Show Traylor 12 episodes
2002 Meet the Marks Kaitlin Marks Main role
2003 Punk'd Field Agent 2 episodes
2003 Miss Match Jillian Episode: "Who's Sari Now?"
2003 The Man Show Crazy Hot Girl in the Bar Season 5, Episode 20
2004 Significant Others Lauren Episode: "The First Time"
2004 George Lopez Janet Episode: "Home Sweet Homeschool"
2005 Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show Various roles 6 episodes; also writer
2005–present It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds Main role
2006 Out of Practice Debbie Episode: "Model Behavior"
2007 The Riches Hartley Underwood 5 episodes
2009–2011 Family Guy Brenda Quagmire 2 episodes; voice role
2012 Unsupervised Carol / Danielle 7 episodes; voice role
2012 Brickleberry Ethel Anderson Main role; voice role
2014–2015 New Girl Ashley 2 episodes
2015–2019 Bob's Burgers Helen 2 episodes; voice role
2016 Cassius & Clay Ordwood Cassius Unsold pilot; voice role
2016 The Simpsons Quinn Episode: "The Girl Code"; voice role
2017–2018 The Mick Mackenzie "Mickey" Molng Main role; also executive producer
2018 Mean Jean Birdie Unsold pilot
2020 Flipped Cricket Melfi Main role
2020 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Herself Episode: "Dr. Phil, Kaitlin Olson & Lauren Lapkus"
2020 Space Force Edison Jaymes Episode: "Edison Jaymes"
2021–present Hacks DJ Vance Recurring role
2023 Agent Elvis CeCe Ryder Main role; voice role
2024–present High Potential Morgan Gillory Main role; also producer
2025 Abbott Elementary Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds Episode: "Volunteers"

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2015 Disney Infinity 3.0 Destiny Voice role

Web

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Year Title Role Notes
2022 The Always Sunny Podcast Herself 3 episodes

Music videos

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Year Artist Title Role Notes
2021 Imagine Dragons "Follow You" Herself Co-starring with Rob McElhenney[33]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2017 Kids' Choice Awards #SQUAD Finding Dory Won [34]
2020 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Flipped Nominated [35]
2021 Astra TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy Hacks Nominated [36]
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [37]
2024 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominated
Astra TV Awards Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [38]
Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Comedy Series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Kaitlin Willow McElhenney". Ancestry.com.
  2. ^ "KAITLYN OLSON". Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  3. ^ Haynes, Dana (April 10, 2017). "Kaitlin Olson Turns Shining Stat". Portland Tribune. Retrieved August 4, 2022. Kaitlin Olson was born in Portland and spent her earlier years living on Vashon Island Closed access icon
  4. ^ a b "Celebrity Birthdays for the week of Aug 13-19". The Associated Press. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023. Actor Kaitlin Olson is 48
  5. ^ a b Swift, Andy (May 10, 2018). "The Mick Cancelled at Fox". TVLine. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  6. ^ "2020 Primetime Emmy® Awards – Nomination Press Release" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  7. ^ "Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series Nominees / Winners 2022". Television Academy. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  8. ^ "Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series Nominees / Winners 2024". Television Academy. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Valentino, Silas (November 15, 2013). "Q&A with Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenny from 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'". The Daily Emerald. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  10. ^ a b Fullmer, Chelsea (December 12, 2013). ""It's Always Sunny" Star Returns to Her Alma Mater". CAS. University of Oregon. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  11. ^ Olson, Kaitlin (July 18, 2018). "Armchair Expert" (Interview). Episode 23. Interviewed by Dax Shepard.
  12. ^ "One on One with Kaitlin Olson". Hobotrashcan.com (Interview). Interviewed by Joel Murphy. September 18, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  13. ^ a b c d Bartels, Eric (June 27, 2006). "Comedian gets funny in Philly". Portland Tribune. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  14. ^ "Q&A: Kaitlin Olson, Tualatin native, stars in 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. September 15, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  15. ^ a b Haynes, Dane (April 10, 2017). "Kaitlin Olson Turn Shining Star". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  16. ^ Baker, Jeff (April 28, 2014). "18 actors you (maybe) didn't know were from Portland". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  17. ^ "In 'High Potential,' Kaitlin Olson gets smart". artdaily.com. September 13, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  18. ^ "Seen on the screen". News & Observer. September 20, 2007. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  19. ^ Cunningham, Amrie (September 13, 2007). "Interview: Kaitlin Olson". thetvaddict.com. Retrieved January 17, 2008.
  20. ^ "Ty Burrell, Kaitlin Olson star in animated film, Finding Dory". FOX5. FOX Beat. Washington, D.C. June 16, 2016. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  21. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (February 2, 2016). "Fox Orders Comedy Pilot 'The Mick'". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  22. ^ "The Women of 'Hacks' Tease 'Comedy That's Dramatic' and a 'Unique' Mentorship Tale". May 10, 2021.
  23. ^ Gross, Dan (September 8, 2007). "It's Sunny for McElhenney". Philadelphia Daily News. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  24. ^ "'It's Always Sunny' Stars Wed!". UPI.com. October 3, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  25. ^ "OK! Exclusive: Kaitlin Olson & Rob McElhenney Wed". OK!. October 1, 2008. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  26. ^ "Still 'Sunny' after all these years: Kaitlin Olson talks 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'". Metro. September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  27. ^ Rainey, Candice (November 11, 2009). "Interview with actress Kaitlin Olson". Elle. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  28. ^ Klein, Michael (December 17, 2009). "Mac and Dee from "Always Sunny" getting into bar business for real". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  29. ^ Wihlborg, Ulrica (September 2, 2010). "Kaitlin Olson, Rob McElhenney Welcome Son Axel Lee". People. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  30. ^ Johnson, Zach (April 10, 2012). "Meet Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney's Son Leo Grey!". US Magazine. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  31. ^ Rothaus, Steve (June 12, 2016). "Pulse Orlando shooting scene a popular LGBT club where employees, patrons 'like family'". The Miami Herald. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  32. ^ "49 Celebrities Honor 49 Victims of Orlando Tragedy | Human Rights Campaign". Human Rights Campaign. Archived from the original on August 23, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  33. ^ Imagine Dragons - Follow You (Official Music Video), retrieved November 24, 2022
  34. ^ "ELLEN DEGENERES, FIFTH HARMONY, THE GHOSTBUSTERS, KEVIN HART, CHRIS HEMSWORTH, JACE NORMAN, JOJO SIWA, ZENDAYA AND MORE WIN BIG AT NICKELODEON'S 2017 KIDS' CHOICE AWARDS". March 11, 2017. Archived from the original on March 14, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  35. ^ "Flipped". Television Academy. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  36. ^ Pedersen, Erik (July 8, 2021). "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' leads Programs for Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix lead Nets". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  37. ^ "Kaitlin Olson". Television Academy. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  38. ^ "The 2024 Astra TV Awards Nominations Have Arrived" (Press release). The Astra Awards. July 9, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
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