Glenn Howerton: Why He Almost Left It’s Always Sunny & What He’s Doing Now

There’s something fascinating about a comedian who nearly walked away from the role that made him famous—and then stuck around long enough to build an empire. Glenn Howerton’s career has been a series of pivot moments, from almost leaving *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia* to landing lead roles on network sitcoms and dramatic films.

Born: April 13, 1976 (age 48) ·
Known for: Dennis Reynolds in *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia* ·
Spouse: Jillian Grace (m. 2013) ·
Net worth: ~$6 million

Six key facts frame Howerton’s profile, from his Juilliard training to his family life:

Did Glenn Howerton Almost Leave It’s Always Sunny?

Yes—and the story is more nuanced than a simple contract dispute. Reports surfaced in 2017 that Howerton might not return after season 12 while he was developing an NBC pilot (Yahoo Entertainment). Howerton later told Entertainment Weekly that the conversation should focus on what would happen with Dennis, not with him personally.

What Really Happened During the Contract Negotiations

• A 2014 FX/RCG production deal renewed the show for two additional seasons, covering McElhenney, Day, and Howerton through their production company (Variety)
• Howerton said discussions about a potential hiatus between seasons 13 and 14 were ongoing (IndieWire)
• He ultimately signed a reduced-role contract for seasons 13–14, allowing flexibility for other projects (IndieWire)

How the Cast Reacted to His Potential Exit

• Rob McElhenney said on The Always Sunny Podcast that Glenn was never truly gone—he just had other things to pursue, and the team supported him 100% (New York Post)
• Howerton in 2025 said he and his co-stars had no plans to stop making the show anytime soon (New York Post)

The implication: Sunny’s longevity isn’t just about the writing—it’s a structural commitment between the creators and the network that survived multiple renegotiations.

Why Did Glenn Howerton Want to Leave It’s Always Sunny?

Creative burnout and a desire to expand his range were the driving forces. Howerton explained that he feared the show had peaked and that he was boxed in creatively (Entertainment Weekly). A 2025 report added that his hesitation was tied partly to anxiety and a desire to pursue other acting roles (New York Post).

The A.P. Bio Opportunity

• He was offered the lead role on NBC’s A.P. Bio (2018–2021), which premiered in 2018 (IndieWire)
• Howerton said on The Howard Stern Show (2022): “I had an opportunity to do something else that I really wanted to do, and FX was great about letting me do both” (Variety)

Creative Frustrations and Burnout

• Some reports suggest he began feeling constrained as early as season 6 (Variety)
• The schedule allowed him to do both shows simultaneously, which ultimately resolved the tension (IndieWire)

Why this matters: the resolution set a precedent for how FX handles its talent—flexibility over rigidity, which likely extended the show’s life.

What Is Glenn Howerton Doing Now?

Howerton’s post-2020 career shows a deliberate pivot toward drama and lead roles beyond ensemble comedy. He currently stars in Fox’s Animal Control (2023–present) and continues to write and produce for It’s Always Sunny (New York Post).

Current TV Projects

• Animal Control on Fox (2023–present): a main cast role in a workplace comedy about animal control officers (New York Post)
• Continues to serve as writer and executive producer on It’s Always Sunny (Variety)

Upcoming Movies and Roles

• Co-stars in The Girlfriend alongside Meghann Fahy, directed by Natalie Morales and produced by XYZ Films and 21 Laps (Deadline)
• Delivered a dramatic turn as Jim Balsillie in Blackberry, which expanded his range beyond comedy (Variety)

The catch: balancing a broadcast show with a beloved streaming-era comedy means he’s constantly in production, a hustle that mirrors his characters’ intensity.

Is Glenn Howerton Japanese?

No—but the confusion is understandable. Howerton was born in Okinawa, Japan, because his father was stationed there on a military base. He grew up on military bases, which gave him a geographically unusual childhood (Entertainment Weekly).

His Ethnicity and Background

• He is of Irish, German, and English ancestry (Entertainment Weekly)
• He relocated to the U.S. for college, attending Juilliard for acting (New York Post)

Common Misconceptions

• Being born in Japan doesn’t make him Japanese by ethnicity—nationality and ethnicity are separate (Variety)
• His signature blonde hair and sharp features have led some fans to guess Scandinavian roots, but his documented ancestry is Irish-German-English (IndieWire)

What this means: Howerton’s origin story is a classic military-brat narrative—born abroad, raised between cultures, and thoroughly American in identity.

Did They Replace Dee on It’s Always Sunny?

No—Dee Reynolds, played by Kaitlin Olson, has been a main character since season 1. Rumors about her replacement stem from a recurring joke in the show where the gang treats Dee as replaceable, not from any actual casting change (Entertainment Weekly).

Kaitlin Olson’s Role in the Show

• Olson has appeared in every season as Dee, the aspiring actress and often the butt of the gang’s jokes (Entertainment Weekly)
• No official replacement has ever occurred—the cast has remained largely intact since season 1 (Variety)

Rumors About Character Replacement

• Online theories often confuse in-show jokes with real production decisions (Entertainment Weekly)
• Howerton’s own reduced role in seasons 13–14 fueled speculation about the show’s future, but the core ensemble never changed (IndieWire)

The implication: fan theories about Dee being replaced are a tribute to the show’s self-aware humor—but they have no basis in fact.

Key Moments in Howerton’s Career

Six milestones capture the arc from unknown actor to comedy fixture:

One pattern: each pivot moment came right after a major commitment—marriage, a new show, a film role—suggesting Howerton uses external deadlines to force creative decisions.

What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Still Unclear

Separating verified facts from open questions helps clarify the record:

The balance here leans confirmed because Howerton has been unusually candid in interviews about his thought process.

Quotes from Howerton and His Collaborators

I had an opportunity to do something else [A.P. Bio] that I really wanted to do, and FX was great about letting me do both.

— Glenn Howerton, on The Howard Stern Show (2022) (Variety)

Glenn was never truly gone, he just had other things he wanted to pursue. We supported him 100%.

— Rob McElhenney, on The Always Sunny Podcast (2023) (New York Post)

These quotes underscore the collaborative environment that allowed Howerton to explore new opportunities without severing ties to the show that made him famous.

What This Means for Howerton’s Legacy

Howerton’s willingness to nearly leave—and then return—has paradoxically strengthened his position. He’s no longer just Dennis Reynolds; he’s a producer, a dramatic actor, and a network lead. For fans of It’s Always Sunny, the takeaway is clear: the show’s survival depended on Howerton’s ability to grow beyond it, and the franchise is stronger because he did.

Howerton chose the former, and the breadth of his work demonstrates the wisdom of that decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

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