Charlie Day#Theatre

{{Short description|American actor, writer and producer (born 1976)}}

{{Infobox person

| image = File:Charlie Day by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg

| caption = Day dressed as Dayman from It's Always Sunny at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con

| birth_name = Charles Peckham Day

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|2|9}}

| birth_place = New York City, U.S.

| alma_mater = Merrimack College (BA)

| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|writer|producer|podcaster}}

| years active = 1997–present

| spouse = {{marriage|Mary Elizabeth Ellis|2006}}

| children = 1

}}

Charles Peckham Day (born February 9, 1976){{cite web|title=CHARLIE DAY|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/people/charlie-day/|work=TV Insider|access-date=January 6, 2022|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106174829/https://www.tvinsider.com/people/charlie-day/|url-status=live}} is an American actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for playing Charlie Kelly on the FX dark comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–present), of which he is also a writer and an executive producer. In 2011, he was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award and a Satellite Award for the role.{{cite magazine|title='It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia': The cast tells their story|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/11/18/its-always-sunny-video/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 1, 2012|first=Kate|last=Ward|date=November 18, 2009}} Subsequently, he co-created the Apple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest (2020–2025) with Rob McElhenney and Megan Ganz.

In film, Day is best known for his performances as Dr. Newton Geiszler in Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim (2013), Dale Arbus in the comedy Horrible Bosses (2011) and its sequel Horrible Bosses 2 (2014), and Andy Campbell in the comedy Fist Fight (2017). He is also known for his voice roles in Monsters University (2013), The Lego Movie film franchise (2014–2019) and Nintendo franchise character Luigi in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). He made his directorial debut with Fool's Paradise (2023).

Early life

Charles Peckham Day was born in New York City on February 9, 1976. His family lived in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. He spent most of his childhood in Middletown, Rhode Island. He is the younger of two children, with an elder sister named Alice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/01/charlie-day-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia|title=What You Should Know About Charlie Day|website=HWD|date=January 5, 2015|language=en|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702223332/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/01/charlie-day-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia|url-status=live}} His father, Dr. Thomas Charles Day, who is of Italian and Irish descent, is a retired professor of music history at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island and his mother, Mary (née Peckham), was a music teacher at The Pennfield School (formerly The New School) in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and of English descent.{{cite web|title=Faculty|url=http://web.salve.edu/faculty/faculty_detail_main.cfm?Email=dayt%40salve.edu|work=Salve Regina University|author=Salve Regina University|year=2012|access-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131135856/http://web.salve.edu/faculty/faculty_detail_main.cfm?Email=dayt%40salve.edu | archive-date=January 31, 2011}} His paternal grandfather changed the family name from Del Giorno to Day{{Citation |title=10. Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare {{!}} The Always Sunny Podcast | date=January 10, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LnURQ9NaOA |language=en |access-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924025435/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LnURQ9NaOA |url-status=live }}{{Citation |title=35. The Gang Gets Whacked: Part 1 {{!}} The Always Sunny Podcast | date=June 6, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr0tzAZ4MMo |language=en |access-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924025430/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr0tzAZ4MMo |url-status=live }} to assimilate during WWII; he died in a military training accident when his son Thomas was only four.{{Citation |title=17. Charlie Goes America All Over Everybody's Ass {{!}} The Always Sunny Podcast | date=January 31, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69cjUN4x3wA |language=en |access-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924025434/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69cjUN4x3wA |url-status=live }}

Day attended Pennfield School and graduated from the Portsmouth Abbey School, both in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He attended Merrimack College, where he majored in art history and was active in the Onstagers, Merrimack's student theater organization. He graduated in 1998.{{cite web |url=https://www.merrimack.edu/live/news/1666-star-charlie-day-98-to-deliver-undergraduate |title=Star Charlie Day '98 to deliver undergraduate commencement keynote address |date=May 12, 2014 |website=Merrimack College |access-date=April 19, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324010020/https://www.merrimack.edu/live/news/1666-star-charlie-day-98-to-deliver-undergraduate |archive-date=March 24, 2018}} In May 2014, he gave the commencement speech for Merrimack's graduating class and received an honorary Ph.D.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2014/05/21/charlie-day-merrimack-speech-video/|title=Charlie Day Tells Merrimack Grads Diplomas 'Basically Do Nothing'|date=May 21, 2014|website=Boston Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=December 27, 2019|archive-date=December 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227010422/https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2014/05/21/charlie-day-merrimack-speech-video/|url-status=live}}

Career

File:Charlie Day by Gage Skidmore.jpg]]

While still in college, Day was active in the training programs at the Williamstown Theatre Festival every summer from 1997, where he was a contemporary of actors such as Jimmi Simpson, David Hornsby, Kathryn Hahn, Justin Long and Sterling K. Brown. Day went on to play the lead role in Dead End, at the Huntington Theatre in Boston.{{Cite web|url=https://fxplus.fxnetworks.com//credits/|title=Charlie Kelly in on FXPlus|website=FX Networks|language=en|access-date=April 19, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

After graduating, Day worked on small television roles, advertisements, and voiceovers for the Independent Film Channel,{{Citation |title=Escape From Hollywood on IFC | date=July 2, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y34C6Av2gjI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Y34C6Av2gjI |language=en |access-date=September 16, 2019 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} and supplemented his income by waiting tables and answering phones for a telethon.{{cite news |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |date=July 7, 2011 |title=Charlie Day is good at playing a fool |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jul-07-la-et-charlie-day-20110707-story.html |access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030301/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jul-07-la-et-charlie-day-20110707-story.html |url-status=live }} In the early 2000s, he had guest and recurring appearances on television shows such as Law & Order, Third Watch, Reno 911! and the short-lived sitcom Luis.

= ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' and related projects =

In the early years of his career, Day often made comedy sketches and absurd short films in his spare time with Jimmi Simpson, with whom he was living in New York City, and several friends including David Hornsby, Nate Mooney, Logan Marshall-Green and other actors, many of whom they had met through the Williamstown Theatre Festival.{{Citation |title=1. The Gang Gets Racist {{!}} The Always Sunny Podcast | date=January 10, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h97oKaQSX-M |language=en |access-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924025433/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h97oKaQSX-M |url-status=live }} These home videos served as the inspiration for several scripted short films he later developed with Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton in 2003, once he had moved out to Los Angeles. Among these home movies were two scenes about three struggling self-involved actors in Los Angeles getting into awkward and darkly comedic situations between auditions and jobs,{{Citation |title=4. Charlie Has Cancer {{!}} The Always Sunny Podcast | date=January 10, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErF-Um18G0M |language=en |access-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924025431/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErF-Um18G0M |url-status=live }} which went on to form the basis of the pilot episode of the comedy series that would go on to be known as It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.{{Cite news |last=Wyatt |first=Edward |date=September 9, 2007 |title=The Writers Are the Actors Are the Producers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/arts/television/09wyat.html |access-date=September 24, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611140255/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/arts/television/09wyat.html |url-status=live }}

In 2005, the first season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was released on FX television.{{cite web |last=Wolinsky |first=David |date=October 26, 2010 |title=RANDOM RULES Charlie Day |url=https://www.avclub.com/charlie-day-1798222340 |access-date=November 2, 2010 |work=A.V. Club |publisher=Onion Inc |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017034245/http://www.avclub.com/articles/charlie-day,46810/ |url-status=live }} In addition to executive producing and writing for the show, Day stars as Charlie Kelly. His performance received widespread recognition and has been the source of several memes through the years, most notably the Pepe Silvia conspiracy meme.{{Cite web |title=Pepe Silvia |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/pepe-silvia |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Know Your Meme |date=March 24, 2017 |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120194128/https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/pepe-silvia |url-status=live }} In 2021, Sunny became the longest running live action comedy on American television with the release of its fifteenth season.{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2020 |title=It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia will outlive even the cockroaches |url=https://www.avclub.com/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-will-outlive-even-the-1845855792 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-us |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924025431/https://www.avclub.com/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-will-outlive-even-the-1845855792 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Ashley |date=November 26, 2021 |title=It's Always Sunny With Rob McElhenney |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/arts/television/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-rob-mcelhenney.html |access-date=September 24, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924025431/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/arts/television/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-rob-mcelhenney.html |url-status=live }} The series is still ongoing with its sixteenth season released in 2023.

Since November 2021, Day, McElhenney and Howerton have been releasing The Always Sunny Podcast. They set out to rewatch the entire series and share behind-the-scenes information, but the podcast's focus shifted to the banter and dynamic between the three creators.{{Cite web |title=The Always Sunny Podcast on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-always-sunny-podcast/id1594627983 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-US |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924031921/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-always-sunny-podcast/id1594627983 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=The Always Sunny Podcast |url=https://open.spotify.com/show/0xDEeqWuoMNBUFGNrhIz6L |access-date=November 16, 2022 |website=Spotify |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116224843/https://open.spotify.com/show/0xDEeqWuoMNBUFGNrhIz6L |url-status=live }}

Day has also developed and produced several television shows in addition to It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In 2011 and 2012, he produced the short-lived comedies How to Be a Gentleman (2011–2012) and Unsupervised (2012), which were created by Sunny writers David Hornsby, Scott Marder and Rob Rosell. In 2017, he co-created the Fox sitcom The Cool Kids (2018–2019), starring Vicki Lawrence, Martin Mull, David Alan Grier and Leslie Jordan and set in a retirement community.{{cite news |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |date=September 5, 2017 |title=Fox Orders 'The Cool Kids' Retirement Community Comedy Pilot From 'It's Always Sunny' Trio & Kevin Abbott |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/cool-kids-fox-comedy-pilot-charlie-day-kevin-abbott-its-always-sunny-1202161848/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510184304/https://deadline.com/2017/09/cool-kids-fox-comedy-pilot-charlie-day-kevin-abbott-its-always-sunny-1202161848/ |archive-date=May 10, 2018}} He served as an executive producer through its first season after which the show was canceled.

On August 9, 2019, Mythic Quest, a half-hour comedy series co-created by Day, McElhenney and Megan Ganz, who is also an executive producer on Sunny, was announced as one of the original productions for the then-upcoming streaming service, Apple TV+.{{Cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |last2=Hipes |first2=Patrick |date=March 25, 2019 |title=Apple Reveals Titles For Several Of Its Original Series |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/apple-new-series-titles-mythic-quest-truth-be-told-home-after-dark-for-all-mankind-more-1202582416/ |access-date=April 19, 2019 |website=Deadline |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326003936/https://deadline.com/2019/03/apple-new-series-titles-mythic-quest-truth-be-told-home-after-dark-for-all-mankind-more-1202582416/ |url-status=live }} In addition to being co-creator, Day is an executive producer on Mythic Quest, which {{asof|2025|lc=yes}} has run for four seasons.

= Films and other work =

File:Charlie Day, 2011.jpg

In July 2011, Day starred in New Line Cinema's Horrible Bosses with Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, and Jamie Foxx.{{cite web|title=Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Colin Farrell in Talks for HORRIBLE BOSSES for Director Seth Gordon|url=http://www.collider.com/2010/05/11/jennifer-aniston-jason-bateman-charlie-day-colin-farrell-horrible-bosses-director-seth-gordon/|work=Collider.com|publisher=IndieClick Film Network|author=Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub|date=May 11, 2010|access-date=June 28, 2010|archive-date=May 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515043456/http://www.collider.com/2010/05/11/jennifer-aniston-jason-bateman-charlie-day-colin-farrell-horrible-bosses-director-seth-gordon|url-status=dead}} The film was a commercial success and Day's performance as Dale Arbus was praised by critics. He later reprised the role in the sequel Horrible Bosses 2 released in November 2014. Day had previously worked with Sudeikis in the 2010 film Going the Distance, starring Justin Long and Drew Barrymore.

Day hosted the November 5, 2011, episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) with Maroon 5 as the musical guest. He was the second cast member from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia to host SNL (after Danny DeVito, though DeVito hosted SNL before Sunny premiered, the last time being in 1999; notably, however, DeVito would make a brief cameo during Day's opening monologue in this episode). Day would also make another brief cameo in the following season's episode hosted by Jamie Foxx on December 8, 2012, as a congressman in the episode's sketch "Maine Justice".{{cite news |last=Semigran |first=Aly |date=November 6, 2011 |title='Saturday Night Live' recap: Turning back the clock on Charlie Day(light savings time) |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/11/06/saturday-night-live-recap-turning-back-the-clock-on-charlie-daylight-savings-time/ |access-date=November 6, 2011 |archive-date=November 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108212932/http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/11/06/saturday-night-live-recap-turning-back-the-clock-on-charlie-daylight-savings-time/ |url-status=live }} In September 2014, Day provided his voice for The Sims 4 TV spots.{{Citation needed|reason=There are no referenced news articles or online sources confirming Charlie Day's involvement; a cursory search brings up a thread on EA's The Sims Forums speculating on the identity of the TV spot voice actor.|date=February 2022}}

Day had a significant role in the Guillermo del Toro science fiction kaiju film Pacific Rim (2013), in which he played biologist Dr. Newton "Newt" Geiszler, who is the focus of the secondary comedic plot with Burn Gorman and Ron Perlman. He was cast based on his performance in the Sunny episode Charlie Kelly: King of the Rats as del Toro was a fan of the show. In exchange, Day created the recurring role of Pappy McPoyle for del Toro on Sunny. In 2018, he reprised the role of Newt for the sequel Pacific Rim Uprising directed by Steven S. DeKnight.{{cite web |last=Nemiroff |first=Perri |date=November 24, 2014 |title=Guillermo del Toro Says PACIFIC RIM 2 Begins a Few Years After PACIFIC RIM in a Kaiju-Free World; Charlie Day and Burn Gorman to Return |url=http://collider.com/pacific-rim-2-story-details/ |website=Collider |access-date=January 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104043505/http://collider.com/pacific-rim-2-story-details/ |archive-date=January 4, 2015}}

In 2015, Day and Ice Cube were cast as the leads in Fist Fight, a story about two teachers brawling conceived by Max Greenfield.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Lexy |date=February 14, 2017 |title='Fist Fight' Premiere: The Cast and Crew on the Film's "Epic" Brawl and Return of Tracy Morgan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/fist-fight-premiere-films-epic-brawl-return-tracy-morgan-976008/ |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404175626/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/fist-fight-premiere-films-epic-brawl-return-tracy-morgan-976008/ |url-status=live }} Day plays Andy Campbell, a high school English teacher, who is challenged by his co-worker, history teacher Ronald Strickland (Ice Cube), to a fight after getting him fired.{{Cite web |author=T. H. R. Staff |date=February 16, 2017 |title='Fist Fight': Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/fist-fight-review-976738/ |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404174928/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/fist-fight-review-976738/ |url-status=live }} The film was directed by Richie Keen, who had directed episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and released in February 2017.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=July 10, 2015 |title=Ice Cube & Charlie Day Comedy 'Fist Fight' Has Richie Keen In Talks To Direct |url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/ice-cube-charlie-day-comedy-fist-fight-richie-keen-new-line-1201473580/ |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404175142/https://deadline.com/2015/07/ice-cube-charlie-day-comedy-fist-fight-richie-keen-new-line-1201473580/ |url-status=live }}

Later that year, Day played Ralph, a vulgar comedian and close friend of the protagonist, in I Love You, Daddy, which was directed by Louis C.K. and featured himself, Chloe Grace Moretz, John Malkovich, Rose Byrne, Pamela Adlon, Edie Falco and Helen Hunt.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=September 12, 2017 |title='I Love You Daddy' Writer-Director Louis C.K. On His Unique Approach To Creating & Distributing Content – Toronto |url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/louis-ck-i-love-you-daddy-pamela-adlon-edie-falco-toronto-film-festival-news-1202167185/ |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321052938/https://deadline.com/2017/09/louis-ck-i-love-you-daddy-pamela-adlon-edie-falco-toronto-film-festival-news-1202167185/ |url-status=live }} Day was the first to have been cast as C.K. was a fan of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.{{Citation |title=Louis CK and the Cast of I Love You, Daddy Q&A – TIFF 2017 | date=September 18, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc3FDZK_PrI |language=en |access-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405042129/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc3FDZK_PrI&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }} The film premiered at TIFF 2017 and was scheduled to have its public opening in November 2017, but was dropped by all its distributors after the allegations of C.K.'s sexual misconduct were made public by the New York Times.{{Cite web |last=Schaffstall |first=Katherine |date=November 9, 2017 |title=Louis C.K.'s Movie Premiere Canceled in Advance of N.Y. Times Story |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/louis-cks-movie-premiere-canceled-advance-ny-times-story-1056585/ |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131035102/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/louis-cks-movie-premiere-canceled-advance-ny-times-story-1056585/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Tatiana Siegel,Ashley |last2=Siegel |first2=Tatiana |last3=Lee |first3=Ashley |date=December 8, 2017 |title=Louis C.K. Buys Back 'I Love You, Daddy' After Sexual Misconduct Allegations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/louis-ck-buys-back-i-love-you-daddy-sexual-misconduct-allegations-1065877/ |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404175628/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/louis-ck-buys-back-i-love-you-daddy-sexual-misconduct-allegations-1065877/ |url-status=live }} Day had withdrawn himself from the film's promotion and condemned the misconduct in light of the allegations before the film's public release was canceled.{{Cite web |title=Today in Entertainment: America Ferrera is pregnant with first child; New Justin Timberlake album coming Feb. 2 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-november-2017-htmlstory.html |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |date=January 4, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621015729/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-veteran-newsman-steve-edwards-leaves-1513025679-htmlstory.html |url-status=live }}

In addition to Pacific Rim Uprising, in 2018, Day was in Drew Pearce's film Hotel Artemis, with Jodie Foster, Sterling K Brown, Sofia Boutella, Jeff Goldblum, Brian Tyree Henry, Jenny Slate, Zachary Quinto and Dave Bautista, where he played Acapulco the arms dealer.{{cite news |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=May 12, 2017 |title=Sterling K. Brown, Charlie Day, Jenny Slate Join Jodie Foster's 'Hotel Artemis' |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/sterling-k-brown-charlie-day-jenny-slate-hotel-artemis-1202424378/ |work=Variety |access-date=August 27, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828014651/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/sterling-k-brown-charlie-day-jenny-slate-hotel-artemis-1202424378/ |archive-date=August 28, 2017}} Most recently, Day played his first leading role in a romantic comedy as Peter on I Want You Back with Jenny Slate for Amazon Studios released on February 11, 2022.

Day got his first film voice acting role in 2013 as the character Art in the Pixar animated film Monsters University. Following this, he voiced Benny in The Lego Movie (2014) and its sequel The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019). In September 2021, Nintendo announced that Day would voice Luigi, in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released on April 5, 2023,{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |title=Nintendo Direct: Chris Pratt Will Voice Mario in the Super Mario Bros. Movie |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |work=IGN |date=September 23, 2021 |accessdate=September 24, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923223916/https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |archivedate=September 23, 2021 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=September 23, 2021|title=Super Mario Bros. Animated Pic Sets Cast: Chris Pratt As Mario, Charlie Day As Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy As Princess Peach & More|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/super-mario-bros-animated-movie-cast-chris-pratt-charlie-day-anya-taylor-joy-jack-black-seth-rogen-1234843447 |website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=September 23, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923225946/https://deadline.com/2021/09/super-mario-bros-animated-movie-cast-chris-pratt-charlie-day-anya-taylor-joy-jack-black-seth-rogen-1234843447/ |archive-date=September 23, 2021}} with the potential to reprise the role in a Luigi's Mansion film.{{cite web |last=Valentine |first=Evan |title=Charlie Day Confirms Interest in Starring in a Luigi's Mansion Movie (Exclusive) |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/luigi-mansion-movie-nintendo-mario-charlie-day-exclusive-interview/ |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=February 21, 2022 |language=en |date=February 18, 2022 |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218171344/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/luigi-mansion-movie-nintendo-mario-charlie-day-exclusive-interview/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Outlaw |first=Kofi |title=Super Mario Bros. Movie Star Charlie Day On Luigi's Mansion Movie: "Let's Make This Happen" (Exclusive) |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/super-mario-bros-movie-charlie-day-luigi-mansion-spinoff-lets-make-it-happen/ |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=March 29, 2023 |date=March 28, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328224118/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/super-mario-bros-movie-charlie-day-luigi-mansion-spinoff-lets-make-it-happen/ |url-status=live }}

In 2018, Day began working on his feature directorial debut Fool's Paradise (previously titled El Tonto), starring Ken Jeong and himself, and featuring Ray Liotta, Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Common, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco and John Malkovich.{{cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=October 3, 2018 |title=Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis Part Of Big-Name Ensemble Cast Nearing Deals For Charlie Day's 'El Tonto' |url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/kate-beckinsale-jason-sudeikis-part-of-big-name-ensemble-cast-nearing-deals-for-charlie-days-el-tonto-1202475308/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=November 21, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022113205/https://deadline.com/2018/10/kate-beckinsale-jason-sudeikis-part-of-big-name-ensemble-cast-nearing-deals-for-charlie-days-el-tonto-1202475308/ |archive-date=October 22, 2018}} Besides writing and producing, Day co-stars as a silent man from a psychiatric hospital who accidentally finds his way into celebrity with the help of an enterprising publicist (Jeong) before they lose it all.{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=September 5, 2018 |title=Charlie Day to Make Directorial Debut With Hollywood Comedy 'El Tonto' |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/charlie-day-directorial-debut-el-tonto-1202928184/ |work=Variety |access-date=November 21, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073536/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/charlie-day-directorial-debut-el-tonto-1202928184/ |archive-date=October 22, 2018}}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=January 18, 2023 |title=Charlie Day's Directorial Debut 'Fool's Paradise' Acquired By Roadside Attractions, Grindstone & Lionsgate – Sundance |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/charlie-day-fools-paradise-el-tonto-roadside-attractions-lionsgate-grindstone-1235226314/ |access-date=February 18, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301222834/https://deadline.com/2023/01/charlie-day-fools-paradise-el-tonto-roadside-attractions-lionsgate-grindstone-1235226314/ |url-status=live }} The film underwent several reshoots and was released on May 12, 2023.{{Citation |title=64. Acting (Without Rob) {{!}} The Always Sunny Podcast | date=February 6, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUJL-q7xZcU |language=en |access-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214231224/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUJL-q7xZcU |url-status=live }}

Personal life

A skilled musician, Day can play the piano, trombone, guitar, and harmonica, and has written or improvised most of the songs featured on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In 2014, he received an honorary doctorate in performing arts from Merrimack College, where he also delivered that year's keynote address.{{cite web|url=http://www.merrimack.edu/academics/liberal_arts/visual-and-performing-arts/charlie-day.php|title=Featured Alum: Charlie Day '98|work=Merrimack College|access-date=March 14, 2016|archive-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072029/http://www.merrimack.edu/academics/liberal_arts/visual-and-performing-arts/charlie-day.php|url-status=live}}

In 2001, Day met actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis in a New York City bar. They were already dating in 2004 when they co-starred as incestuous siblings on Reno 911!.[http://monsterfresh.com/?p=617/ Interview with Charlie Day & Mary Elizabeth Ellis] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120527055404/http://monsterfresh.com/?p=617/ |date=May 27, 2012 }}, MonsterFresh.com Ellis has a recurring role on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia as The Waitress, the object of the unrequited love and obsession for Day's character. The couple married on March 4, 2006. They had their only child, a son, in December 2011. They live in Los Angeles, California.{{cite web|first=Sarah|last=Michaud|url=https://people.com/parents/always-sunny-charlie-day-mary-elizabeth-ellis-welcome-son-russell-wallace/|title=Charlie Day, Mary Elizabeth Ellis Welcome Son Russell Wallace|work=People|date=December 16, 2011|access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-date=March 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024608/https://people.com/parents/always-sunny-charlie-day-mary-elizabeth-ellis-welcome-son-russell-wallace/|url-status=live}}

Day has stated with uncertainty that he is agnostic.{{Citation|title=Charlie Day Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions {{!}} WIRED| date=March 19, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvNRdnN6Sq8|language=en|access-date=April 25, 2019|archive-date=April 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409091729/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvNRdnN6Sq8|url-status=live}}

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"\|Notes
rowspan="2"\|2001 \| Late Summer \| Trevor \| Short film
Campfire Stories \| Joe Boner \|
2002 \| Bad Company \| Stoner \| Uncredited
2005 \| Love Thy Neighbor \| Video Clerk \|
2008 \| A Quiet Little Marriage \| Adam \|
2010 \| Going the Distance \| Dan \|
2011 \| Horrible Bosses \| Dale Arbus \|
rowspan="2"\|2013 \| Monsters University \| Art (voice) \|
Pacific Rim \| Dr. Newton Geiszler \|
rowspan="3"\|2014 \| Party Central \| Art (voice) \| Short film
The Lego Movie \| Benny (voice) \|
Horrible Bosses 2 \| Dale Arbus \|
2015 \| Vacation \| Chad \|
2016 \| The Hollars \| Jason \|
rowspan="2"\|2017 \| Fist Fight \| Andrew "Andy" Campbell \| Also executive producer
I Love You, Daddy \| Ralph \|
rowspan="3"\|2018 \| rowspan="2"\|Pacific Rim Uprising \| Dr. Newton Geiszler \|
Precursor Emissary \| Uncredited cameo
Hotel Artemis \| Acapulco \|
2019 \| The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part \| Benny (voice) \|
2021 \| How It Ends \| Lonny \|
2022 \| I Want You Back \| Peter \| Also executive producer
rowspan="3"\|2023 \| The Super Mario Bros. Movie \| Luigi (voice) \|
Fool's Paradise \| Latte Pronto / Sir Tom Bingsley \| Also director and writer
The Saint of Second Chances \| Mike Veeck (reenactments) \| Documentary
rowspan="2" \| 2025 \| Summer of 69 \| Rick Richards \|
style="background:#FFFFCC;"\| Honey Don't! {{dagger}} \| {{TableTBA}} \| Post-production
2026 \| style="background:#FFFFCC;"\| Wildwood {{dagger}} \| Seamus (voice) \| In production

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable"|Notes

rowspan="2"|2001

| Late Summer

| Trevor

| Short film

Campfire Stories

| Joe Boner

2002

| Bad Company

| Stoner

| Uncredited

2005

| Love Thy Neighbor

| Video Clerk

2008

| A Quiet Little Marriage

| Adam

2010

| Going the Distance

| Dan

2011

| Horrible Bosses

| Dale Arbus

rowspan="2"|2013

| Monsters University

| Art (voice)

Pacific Rim

| Dr. Newton Geiszler

rowspan="3"|2014

| Party Central

| Art (voice)

| Short film

The Lego Movie

| Benny (voice)

Horrible Bosses 2

| Dale Arbus

2015

| Vacation

| Chad

2016

| The Hollars

| Jason

rowspan="2"|2017

| Fist Fight

| Andrew "Andy" Campbell

| Also executive producer

I Love You, Daddy

| Ralph

rowspan="3"|2018

| rowspan="2"|Pacific Rim Uprising

| Dr. Newton Geiszler

Precursor Emissary

| Uncredited cameo

Hotel Artemis

| Acapulco

2019

| The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

| Benny (voice)

2021

| How It Ends

| Lonny

2022

| I Want You Back

| Peter

| Also executive producer

rowspan="3"|2023

| The Super Mario Bros. Movie

| Luigi (voice)

Fool's Paradise

| Latte Pronto / Sir Tom Bingsley

| Also director and writer

The Saint of Second Chances

| Mike Veeck (reenactments)

| Documentary

rowspan="2" | 2025

| Summer of 69

| Rick Richards

style="background:#FFFFCC;"| Honey Don't! {{dagger}}

| {{TableTBA}}

| Post-production

2026

| style="background:#FFFFCC;"| Wildwood {{dagger}}

| Seamus (voice)

| In production

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"\|Notes
rowspan="2"\|2000 \| Mary and Rhoda \| Mailroom Kid \| Television film
Madigan Men \| Clerk \| Episode: "Three Guys, a Girl and a Conversation Nook"
2001 \| Law & Order \| Jeremy \| Episode: "Swept Away – A Very Special Episode"
2001–2004 \| Third Watch \| Michael Boscorelli \| 5 episodes
2003 \| Luis \| Richie \| 10 episodes
2004 \| Reno 911! \| Inbred Twin \| Episode: "Not Without My Mustache"
2005–present \| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia \| Charles "Charlie" Kelly \| Main cast; Also executive producer and writer
2011–2012 \| How to Be a Gentleman \| {{n/a}} \| Consulting producer (8 episodes)
2011, 2012 \| Saturday Night Live \| Himself (host), Congressman Fenton Worthington Carrey \| Episodes: "Charlie Day/Maroon 5", "Jamie Foxx/Ne-Yo"
rowspan="2"\|2012 \| Unsupervised \| Jesse Judge (voice) \| Episode: "Jesse Judge Lawncare Incorporated"; Also executive producer (13 episodes)
American Dad! \| Meth Head (voice) \| Episode: "Adventures in Hayleysitting"
2014 \| Drunk History \| Allan Pinkerton \| Episode: "Baltimore"
2018–2019 \| The Cool Kids \| Chet the handyman \| Episode: "Pilot"; Also co-creator, executive producer and writer
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"

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable"|Notes

rowspan="2"|2000

| Mary and Rhoda

| Mailroom Kid

| Television film

Madigan Men

| Clerk

| Episode: "Three Guys, a Girl and a Conversation Nook"

2001

| Law & Order

| Jeremy

| Episode: "Swept Away – A Very Special Episode"

2001–2004

| Third Watch

| Michael Boscorelli

| 5 episodes

2003

| Luis

| Richie

| 10 episodes

2004

| Reno 911!

| Inbred Twin

| Episode: "Not Without My Mustache"

2005–present

| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

| Charles "Charlie" Kelly

| Main cast; Also executive producer and writer

2011–2012

| How to Be a Gentleman

| {{n/a}}

| Consulting producer (8 episodes)

2011, 2012

| Saturday Night Live

| Himself (host), Congressman Fenton Worthington Carrey

| Episodes: "Charlie Day/Maroon 5", "Jamie Foxx/Ne-Yo"

rowspan="2"|2012

| Unsupervised

| Jesse Judge (voice)

| Episode: "Jesse Judge Lawncare Incorporated"; Also executive producer (13 episodes)

American Dad!

| Meth Head (voice)

| Episode: "Adventures in Hayleysitting"

2014

| Drunk History

| Allan Pinkerton

| Episode: "Baltimore"

2018–2019

| The Cool Kids

| Chet the handyman

| Episode: "Pilot"; Also co-creator, executive producer and writer

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"

=Video games=

class="wikitable"
Year ! Title ! Voice role
2013 \| Disney Infinity \| Art
2015 \| Lego Dimensions \| Benny

class="wikitable"

Year

! Title

! Voice role

2013

| Disney Infinity

| Art

2015

| Lego Dimensions

| Benny

=Web=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"\|Notes
2021–present \| The Always Sunny Podcast \| Himself/host \| 74 episodes

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable"|Notes

2021–present

| The Always Sunny Podcast

| Himself/host

| 74 episodes

=Music videos=

class="wikitable"
Year ! Title ! Artist ! Notes
2022 \| "If I Didn't Love You" \| Ben Abraham \| Co-starred with Mary Elizabeth Ellis{{Citation \|title=Ben Abraham – If I Didn't Love You (Official Music Video) \| date=July 13, 2022 \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggGVxUO9y34 \|language=en \|access-date=November 23, 2022 \|archive-date=November 24, 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124000143/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggGVxUO9y34 \|url-status=live }}

class="wikitable"

Year

! Title

! Artist

! Notes

2022

| "If I Didn't Love You"

| Ben Abraham

| Co-starred with Mary Elizabeth Ellis{{Citation |title=Ben Abraham – If I Didn't Love You (Official Music Video) | date=July 13, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggGVxUO9y34 |language=en |access-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124000143/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggGVxUO9y34 |url-status=live }}

=Theme park attractions=

class="wikitable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes
2016 \| The Lego Movie: 4D – A New Adventure \| Benny (voice) \|{{Cite web \|last=Sciretta \|first=Peter \|date=October 12, 2015 \|title=The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure Will Debut At Legoland In January 2016 \|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/536469/4d-legoland-lego-movie-ride-short-film/ \|access-date=April 12, 2023 \|website=/Film \|language=en-US \|archive-date=April 12, 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412180642/https://www.slashfilm.com/536469/4d-legoland-lego-movie-ride-short-film/ \|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

2016

| The Lego Movie: 4D – A New Adventure

| Benny (voice)

|{{Cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |date=October 12, 2015 |title=The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure Will Debut At Legoland In January 2016 |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/536469/4d-legoland-lego-movie-ride-short-film/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |website=/Film |language=en-US |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412180642/https://www.slashfilm.com/536469/4d-legoland-lego-movie-ride-short-film/ |url-status=live}}

Theatre

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"\|Notes
rowspan="3"\|1997 \| Dead End \| 2nd Ave Gang #1 \| {{Cite web\|url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/287857-charlie-day\|title=Charlie Day theatre profile\|access-date=April 23, 2022\|archive-date=June 29, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629174805/https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/287857-charlie-day\|url-status=live}}
Princess Turandot \| The Second Eunuch \|
Johnny On a Spot \| Fred \|
rowspan="2"\|1999 \| Camino Real \| Abdullah \| {{cite web \|title=Camino Real \|url=https://wtfestival.org/main-events/camino-real-4/ \|website=Williamstown Theatre Festival \|access-date=July 26, 2022 \|archive-date=July 26, 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726021317/https://wtfestival.org/main-events/camino-real-4/ \|url-status=live }}
Quark Victory \| Newt \| {{cite web \|title=Quark Victory \|url=https://wtfestival.org/main-events/quark-victory/ \|website=Williamstown Theatre Festival \|access-date=July 26, 2022 \|archive-date=August 12, 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812153402/https://wtfestival.org/main-events/quark-victory/ \|url-status=live }}
2000 \| A Servant of Two Masters \| Pantaloon \| {{cite web \|title=Servant of Two Masters, A \|url=https://wtfestival.org/main-events/servant-of-two-masters-a/ \|website=Williamstown Theatre Festival \|access-date=July 26, 2022 \|archive-date=July 26, 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726021310/https://wtfestival.org/main-events/servant-of-two-masters-a/ \|url-status=live }}

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable"|Notes

rowspan="3"|1997

| Dead End

| 2nd Ave Gang #1

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/287857-charlie-day|title=Charlie Day theatre profile|access-date=April 23, 2022|archive-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629174805/https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/287857-charlie-day|url-status=live}}

Princess Turandot

| The Second Eunuch

Johnny On a Spot

| Fred

rowspan="2"|1999

| Camino Real

| Abdullah

| {{cite web |title=Camino Real |url=https://wtfestival.org/main-events/camino-real-4/ |website=Williamstown Theatre Festival |access-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726021317/https://wtfestival.org/main-events/camino-real-4/ |url-status=live }}

Quark Victory

| Newt

| {{cite web |title=Quark Victory |url=https://wtfestival.org/main-events/quark-victory/ |website=Williamstown Theatre Festival |access-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812153402/https://wtfestival.org/main-events/quark-victory/ |url-status=live }}

2000

| A Servant of Two Masters

| Pantaloon

| {{cite web |title=Servant of Two Masters, A |url=https://wtfestival.org/main-events/servant-of-two-masters-a/ |website=Williamstown Theatre Festival |access-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726021310/https://wtfestival.org/main-events/servant-of-two-masters-a/ |url-status=live }}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable"
Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result
2011 \| Critics' Choice Television Award \| Best Actor in a Comedy Series \| rowspan="2" \| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia \| {{nom}}
2011 \| Satellite Awards \| Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy \| {{nom}}
2015 \| MTV Movie & TV Awards \| #WTF Moment \| rowspan="4" \| Horrible Bosses 2 \| {{nom}}
rowspan="3" \| 2015 \| rowspan="4" \| Teen Choice Awards \| Choice Movie Actor: Comedy \| {{nom}}
Choice Movie: Chemistry \| {{nom}}
Choice Movie: Hissy Fit \| {{nom}}
2017 \| Choice Movie: Fight \| Fist Fight \| {{nom}}

class="wikitable"

Year

! Award

! Category

! Work

! Result

2011

| Critics' Choice Television Award

| Best Actor in a Comedy Series

| rowspan="2" | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

| {{nom}}

2011