The Gang’s New Projects: What The 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' Cast Is Doing Now (2025 Update)

The Gang is back, and they are bringing their signature brand of depraved, dark comedy with them, but their lives outside of Paddy's Pub have never been busier. As of December 18, 2025, the cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (IASIP) is making global headlines, not just for their record-breaking run as the longest-running live-action sitcom, but for their diverse and wildly successful side projects. With Season 17 confirmed and a premiere date set for July 9, 2025, fans are scrambling to catch up on the latest from Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, and the legendary Danny DeVito.

The enduring success of the show, which has been on air for over two decades, has allowed its creators and stars to pursue a massive slate of work, from Emmy-winning docuseries to major blockbuster movies. This deep dive reveals the full, updated profiles of the core five members and the shocking truth behind their collective longevity, even as one star recently revealed he wanted to quit the show.

The Core Five: Updated Cast Biographies and Notable Non-Paddy's Projects

The dynamic of "The Gang"—Mac, Charlie, Dennis, Sweet Dee, and Frank—is the heart of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Here is a look at the biographical details and the most significant, recent non-IASIP projects for each member of the main cast.

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• Rob McElhenney (Ronald "Mac" McDonald)
• Role: Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, and Actor.
• Date of Birth: April 14, 1977 (Age 48 in 2025).
• Notable Non-IASIP Projects: Co-owner of Wrexham A.F.C. (documented in the Emmy-winning docuseries Welcome to Wrexham), Co-creator and star (Ian Grimm) of the Apple TV+ comedy series Mythic Quest, Co-host of The Always Sunny Podcast.
• Glenn Howerton (Dennis Reynolds)
• Role: Co-Developer, Executive Producer, Writer, and Actor.
• Date of Birth: April 13, 1976 (Age 49 in 2025).
• Notable Non-IASIP Projects: Starred as Jim Balsillie in the critically acclaimed 2023 film BlackBerry, Recurring role as Ethan Corbin in the upcoming Netflix limited series Sirens (2025), Lead in the NBC sitcom A.P. Bio.
• Charlie Day (Charlie Kelly)
• Role: Executive Producer, Writer, and Actor.
• Date of Birth: February 9, 1976 (Age 49 in 2025).
• Notable Non-IASIP Projects: Voiced Luigi in the smash-hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Co-creator of the show The Cool Kids, Co-host of The Always Sunny Podcast, Co-star in the series Mythic Quest.
• Kaitlin Olson (Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds)
• Role: Actress.
• Date of Birth: August 18, 1975 (Age 50 in 2025).
• Notable Non-IASIP Projects: Reprised her role in Season 3 of the HBO Max series Hacks, earning an additional Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress, Starred in the Fox comedy The Mick, Trained with the legendary comedy group The Groundlings.
• Danny DeVito (Frank Reynolds)
• Role: Actor.
• Date of Birth: November 17, 1944 (Age 81 in 2025).
• Notable Non-IASIP Projects: A prolific actor/filmmaker with classic roles in Taxi and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Currently has several films in development, including the highly anticipated sequel Triplets and the film noir project Sniff.

The Wrexham Effect: Rob McElhenney’s Empire Beyond Mac

No cast member has branched out into a more surprising—and successful—venture than Rob McElhenney. While his character Mac is obsessed with the gym and his "ocular pat-downs," McElhenney himself has become a serious sports entrepreneur.

In 2020, McElhenney and fellow actor Ryan Reynolds purchased Wrexham A.F.C., one of the world's oldest professional football (soccer) clubs, based in Wrexham, North Wales. The move was chronicled in the FX docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which has become a massive critical hit, winning multiple Primetime Emmy Awards. The success of the team and the show has fundamentally changed the trajectory of the town of Wrexham, turning McElhenney from a sitcom star into a globally recognized co-chairman and businessman.

Furthermore, McElhenney continues to serve as the co-creator and star of the workplace comedy Mythic Quest on Apple TV+. This show, which he also co-created with Charlie Day and Megan Ganz, demonstrates his ability to translate the collaborative writing and producing environment of IASIP into other successful projects, further solidifying his status as a creative powerhouse in Hollywood.

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The Gang’s Longevity: Behind the Scenes of Season 17 and Beyond

The upcoming Season 17, premiering on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, marks another historic milestone for the FXX series. The show has maintained its signature dark, cynical humor and commitment to exploring the absolute worst aspects of humanity, a formula that has resonated with audiences for two decades.

Recent interviews and 20th-anniversary panels have shed light on the unique production environment that has allowed the cast to remain together for so long.

The Shocking Truth About Glenn Howerton’s Exit

One of the most talked-about revelations from the cast's recent press tour was Glenn Howerton’s admission that he genuinely wanted to quit the series around the time his character, Dennis Reynolds, appeared to leave Paddy's Pub in Season 12. Howerton was looking for new creative challenges, which eventually led to his acclaimed role in the film BlackBerry and his starring role in A.P. Bio.

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The creators ultimately found a way to keep Dennis central to the show's dynamic, proving the irreplaceable nature of The Gang's chemistry. Howerton's decision to stay, even while pursuing other projects, speaks volumes about the creative control and familial bond the cast shares. This bond is so strong that Danny DeVito once affectionately compared the show's longevity to the classic sitcom I Love Lucy, albeit "on crack."

Charlie Day and Kaitlin Olson’s Creative Freedom

While the creators (McElhenney, Howerton, and Day) manage the show's writing, the entire cast has used their platform to launch major solo careers. Charlie Day's voice work as Luigi in the *Super Mario Bros. Movie* brought him to a massive new audience, demonstrating his versatility beyond the manic, glue-huffing Charlie Kelly.

Similarly, Kaitlin Olson’s Emmy-nominated guest role on *Hacks* highlights her ability to move from the outrageous physical comedy of "Sweet Dee" to more nuanced, award-worthy performances. Her training with The Groundlings, a renowned improvisational comedy troupe, prepared her for the fast-paced, often improvised feel of IASIP, which relies heavily on the cast's innate comedic timing.

The Future: Season 18 and Beyond for the FXX Sitcom

With Season 17 set to premiere and a fan-favorite guest star rumored to be returning after a nine-year absence, the momentum for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is higher than ever. The cast has even begun to openly discuss a potential Season 18, which would further cement their legacy in television history.

The secret to their success lies in their ability to maintain creative control, allowing them to evolve their characters and explore increasingly uncomfortable and hilarious social commentary, all while pursuing massive, successful side ventures like *Welcome to Wrexham* and *Mythic Quest*. The Gang may be selfish, depraved, and morally bankrupt, but the actors who play them are some of the most successful and prolific creators in modern Hollywood. Their continued commitment to Paddy's Pub, even as their careers explode, is a testament to the unique, dark magic of the show.