Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Kaitlin Olson
August 18, 1975
Portland, Oregon, US
50 Years Old
Leo
Who Is Kaitlin Olson?
Kaitlin Willow Olson McElhenney is an American actress and comedian, celebrated for her fearless physical comedy and sharp wit. Her performances often bring a unique, unhinged energy to her roles.
She shot to widespread public attention as Deandra “Sweet Dee” Reynolds on the long-running FX series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, where her bold portrayal quickly made her a fan favorite.
Early Life and Education
Growing up in Portland, Oregon, Kaitlin Olson was the daughter of a publisher, Donald Lee Olson, and a nurse, Melinda Leora Olson, whose household fostered her early creative spark. A serious bicycle accident at age twelve required reconstructive surgery.
She honed her acting skills at Tigard High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from the University of Oregon in 1997, before moving to Los Angeles to train with The Groundlings improv troupe.
Notable Relationships
On set of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kaitlin Olson met co-star Rob McElhenney, with whom she secretly began dating before marrying on September 27, 2008.
Olson and McElhenney share two sons, Axel Lee McElhenney and Leo Grey McElhenney, and maintain a private family life while balancing their demanding careers.
Career Highlights
Kaitlin Olson’s career surged with her starring role as Deandra “Sweet Dee” Reynolds in the FX series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a show that has become the longest-running live-action sitcom in television history. She also lent her distinctive voice to the animated hit Finding Dory as Destiny the whale shark.
Beyond her iconic sitcom work, Olson starred as Mackenzie “Mickey” Molng in the Fox comedy series The Mick and as Morgan Gillory in the ABC crime comedy drama High Potential, on which she also serves as a producer.
She has garnered multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including for her performances in the Quibi series Flipped and the HBO Max series Hacks.
Signature Quote
“My role models were always women who were not afraid to look ridiculous.”