Charlie Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlie Day
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Day dressed as his character Dayman from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con.
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| Born |
Charles Peckham Day
February 9, 1976 New York City, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Merrimack College (BA) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1997–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Elizabeth Ellis
(m. 2006) |
| Children | 1 |
Charles Peckham Day (born February 9, 1976) is an American actor, writer, and producer. He is famous for playing Charlie Kelly on the comedy show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He is also a writer and an executive producer for the show, which means he helps make important decisions about it.
Day is also known for his roles in many popular movies. He played Dr. Newton Geiszler in Pacific Rim and Dale Arbus in the comedy Horrible Bosses. He has also done voice acting, playing Art in Monsters University, Benny in The Lego Movie, and Luigi in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
In 2023, he directed his first movie, called Fool's Paradise. He also co-created the comedy series Mythic Quest.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Charles Peckham Day was born in New York City on February 9, 1976. He grew up mostly in Middletown, Rhode Island. He has an older sister named Alice.
His father, Dr. Thomas Charles Day, was a professor of music history. His mother, Mary, was a music teacher. Day's family name was originally Del Giorno, but his grandfather changed it to Day.
Day went to the Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island. After high school, he attended Merrimack College and studied art history. He was very active in the student theater group. In 2014, he gave a speech to the graduating class at Merrimack and received an honorary Ph.D., which is a special award recognizing his success.
Career Beginnings
During college, Day spent his summers training at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. This is a place where young actors can learn and practice their skills. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles and took on small roles in TV shows and commercials. He also worked as a waiter to support himself.
He appeared in shows like Law & Order, Third Watch, and Reno 911!. During this time, he made funny short videos with his friends, including Rob Mac and Glenn Howerton. These home videos gave them the idea for a new TV show.
Breakthrough with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
The short videos Day made with his friends became the pilot episode for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The show first aired in 2005. Day not only stars as the character Charlie Kelly but also helps write and produce the show.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia became very popular and is the longest-running live-action comedy series in American TV history. Day, Mac, and Howerton also host The Always Sunny Podcast, where they talk about the show and share behind-the-scenes stories.
Day has also helped create other TV shows. He was a producer for How to Be a Gentleman and Unsupervised. He also co-created the comedy The Cool Kids and the popular series Mythic Quest for Apple TV+.
Successful Movie Career
Charlie Day has also had a successful career in movies. In 2011, he starred in the hit comedy Horrible Bosses with Jason Bateman and Jason Sudeikis. He returned for the sequel, Horrible Bosses 2, in 2014.
In 2013, he played the scientist Dr. Newton Geiszler in the science fiction movie Pacific Rim. The director, Guillermo del Toro, was a fan of Day's work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and cast him in the role. Day returned for the sequel, Pacific Rim Uprising, in 2018.
He also starred in the 2017 comedy Fist Fight with Ice Cube, where they played two teachers who decide to have a fight after school.
Voice Acting Roles
Day is also a talented voice actor. He voiced the friendly monster Art in the Pixar movie Monsters University (2013). He is also the voice of the spaceman Benny in The Lego Movie (2014) and its sequel, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019).
In 2023, he voiced one of the most famous video game characters of all time, Luigi, in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Personal Life
Charlie Day is a talented musician who can play the piano, guitar, and harmonica. He has written some of the music featured in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
In 2001, he met actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis. They got married on March 4, 2006. Ellis has a recurring role on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia as The Waitress, a character that Charlie Kelly is in love with. The couple has one son, who was born in 2011. They live in Los Angeles, California.
Selected Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Going the Distance | Dan | |
| 2011 | Horrible Bosses | Dale Arbus | |
| 2013 | Monsters University | Art (voice) | |
| Pacific Rim | Dr. Newton Geiszler | ||
| 2014 | The Lego Movie | Benny (voice) | |
| Horrible Bosses 2 | Dale Arbus | ||
| 2017 | Fist Fight | Andrew "Andy" Campbell | Also executive producer |
| 2018 | Pacific Rim Uprising | Dr. Newton Geiszler | |
| 2019 | The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | Benny (voice) | |
| 2022 | I Want You Back | Peter | Also executive producer |
| 2023 | The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Luigi (voice) | |
| Fool's Paradise | Latte Pronto | Also director and writer | |
| 2025 | Honey Don't!  |
Marty Metakawich | Post-production |
| 2026 | Wildwood |
Seamus (voice) | In production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2004 | Third Watch | Michael Boscorelli | 5 episodes |
| 2004 | Reno 911! | Character | Episode: "Not Without My Mustache" |
| 2005–present | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Charles "Charlie" Kelly | Main cast; Also executive producer and writer |
| 2011 | Saturday Night Live | Himself (host) | Episode: "Charlie Day/Maroon 5" |
| 2020–2025 | Mythic Quest | Spencer | Episode: "Rebrand"; Also co-creator and executive producer |
| 2023 | Bupkis | Glen Rossi | Episode: "Picture" |
| 2025 | Abbott Elementary | Charlie Kelly | Episode: "Volunteers" |
