Inside Kaitlin Olson’s life from co-star husband to fire update and famous friends
A fresh murder mystery series on ABC and Hulu showcases a beloved comedy star in a new light.
Kaitlin Olson takes the lead in High Potential, playing Morgan, a single mum with an extraordinary mind who solves an impossible crime when she rearranges some evidence during her cleaning shift at the police station. This leads to her being hired as a consultant to work alongside a seasoned detective who does everything by the book.
However, this character is a departure from what some fans might be used to, as she has starred in all 16 seasons of the irreverent It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, reports the Mirror. But who exactly is Kaitlin Olson? Who is her actor husband, and how have recent LA wildfires affected her? Here’s everything you need to know.
Born in Portland, Oregon, on August 18, 1975, Kaitlin spent much of her early life on a farm. She studied acting at the University of Oregon and moved to Los Angeles to chase her career dreams after graduating in 1997.
She didn’t have to wait long for her big break, landing a role on HBO’s comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, where she played Larry David’s sister-in-law in episodes that aired in 2000.
Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney met when working on hit sitcom It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia(Image: PA)
In 2004, she scored perhaps her most famous role as Deandra ‘Sweet Dee’ Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, where she would meet her future husband and co-star Rob McElhenney.
In 2015, Olson recounted to Buzzfeed that after her initial audition for the show, McElhenney, who is not only an actor but a writer on the show with Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton, wasn’t thrilled as she missed delivering a key line in the script. She admitted: “I left the room, and Rob was like, ‘How did she leave out the funniest line that was in there?’ and he didn’t want to cast me. He had to be talked into hiring me.”
Although they began dating back in 2006, they kept the romance under wraps on set until they felt ready to share the news with their castmates.
The couple got engaged in 2007, married the following year, and are now proud parents to two boys, Axel, 12, and Leo, 11. The couple recently reprised their roles from Always Sunny for a crossover episode of Abbott Elementary, and fans can catch them again in the upcoming 17th season of their own hit series later this year.
Yet, the family experienced some harrowing moments due to the tragic wildfires raging through Los Angeles. Olson reported that they were forced to vacate their Brentwood abode because of its proximity to the intense Palisades flames.
Kaitlin Olson plays a single mother with a high intellectual potential(Image: Disney)
She contacted her Instagram followers, posting: “My family and pets are evacuated and safe. So many friends and neighbours are dealing with overwhelming devastation. Please look out for each other, evacuate when suggested and contact Airbnb.org if you need a place to go. Thank to @losangelesfiredepartment for working tirelessly without nearly enough support.”
Olson has shone in guest roles on Hacks, snatching an Emmy nom, and The Mick, playing the part of a woman stuck with her sister’s kids. She’s supported her hubby as well in the doc series Welcome to Wrexham, highlighting his thrilling venture as he became co-owner of the town’s footie club with none other than Ryan Reynolds.
She confessed to Variety that reality TV stardom wasn’t quite her cup of tea: “I was just so proud of him for seeing this idea and the complexity of what the show was really going to be about. He wanted to make an incredible documentary about a small town that rallies around their sport, because that’s the thing that unites them. I always thought it was such an incredible idea.”
She’s not one for loving the spotlight in her personal life, though: “I hate when we’re mic’ed and on camera. I don’t mind an interview, but trying to block out the cameras and have a normal conversation is the thing I find that very challenging. But I’m rarely in that position anymore. They’re not at our house anymore!”
With her other half teaming up with the mega-star Ryan Reynolds in business deals, you’d think there might be a buzz around a budding friendship with Blake Lively. Turns out not so much, as Olson spilled to Us Weekly that with hectic schedules and living on opposite US coasts, they’ve barely met: “Everyone’s very, very busy. I’ve met Blake twice. I would love to hang out with them both more often. I love Ryan.”
