Despite its chaotic energy and lack of traditional "good guys," It’s Always Sunny has broken records, earning the title of the longest-running live-action sitcom in American television history. But the madness isn't confined to what you see on screen. Behind the scenes, the show's journey is full of fascinating, hilarious, and even risky stories.
Here are 21 wild facts about how It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia came to be the phenomenon it is today:
1. The Pilot Was Made for Only $100
When Rob McElhenney dreamed up It’s Always Sunny, he didn’t have deep pockets. Instead, he scraped together a pilot for just $100, spending it mostly on pizza and cheap video tapes. There were no actor salaries, no fancy equipment—McElhenney even operated the camera himself. This shoestring approach eventually convinced FX to take a chance on the show.
2. Award Show Snubs
Despite its longevity and passionate fanbase, It’s Always Sunny has only snagged a handful of Emmy nominations—and all of them for stunt coordination. Frustration with this led to the hilariously bitter episode “The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award.”
3. The Show Was Inspired by a Nightmare
The pilot episode was based on a nightmare McElhenney had, imagining what it would be like to tell a friend about a cancer diagnosis and receive no sympathy. His dark vision struck a chord and became the show’s foundation
4. McElhenney Kept Waiting Tables During Season One
Rob McElhenney wasn’t making enough from the show early on, so he continued waiting tables throughout season one. Only after the show's renewal could he commit full-time.
5. Danny DeVito's Near-Drowning Incident
During a water scene where the Gang was submerged, DeVito was weighed down and struggled to resurface. Thankfully, safety divers quickly rescued him. Always the professional, DeVito casually left the set after being saved.
6. Danny DeVito Saved the Series
After season one, FX executives were nervous about the show’s future. They insisted that McElhenney add a big-name star. Enter Danny DeVito, who joined the cast in season two, instantly boosting the show's profile. Without him, the show likely would have been canceled.
7. Kaitlin Olson Almost Said No
Originally, Sweet Dee was written as the "voice of reason" among the group—a role Olson found unappealing. Thankfully, after some rewrites and negotiations, she agreed to join and turned Dee into the hilarious monster fans love.
8. Rob McElhenney’s Wild Physical Transformations
To make a point about Hollywood's obsession with looking good, McElhenney purposely gained weight to become "Fat Mac." Later, he underwent a rigorous fitness journey to sculpt an insanely muscular body, showing that neither extreme is necessary for a character-driven comedy.
9. Charlie Day Actually Ate Rum Ham
In real life, Charlie Day once sampled the infamous Rum Ham at a restaurant. His verdict? It was absolutely disgusting—but he earned major respect for giving it a try.
10. Fred Savage Directed Multiple Episodes
Yes, The Wonder Years star Fred Savage directed 18 episodes of It’s Always Sunny! A fan of Savage’s wholesome TV history, McElhenney gave him a shot behind the camera, and he nailed it.
11. Secret Audio Messages Hidden in End Credits
After each episode, a strange bit of audio plays behind the title card for RCG Productions. If fans play it backwards, it often reveals hilarious hidden messages or inside jokes from the cast.
12. Russia Has Its Own Sunny
A Russian adaptation called It’s Always Sunny in Moscow exists, replicating much of the original's tone (though slightly toned down). Their bar is also named Philadelphia as a tribute.
13. Alcohol-Free Zone
Despite the show being centered around Paddy’s Pub, the cast stays sober while filming. Kaitlin Olson once shared that there's a strict no-drinking policy on set, keeping things professional and safe.
14. Spouses in the Spotlight
Every main actor’s real-life spouse has made an appearance on the show. Kaitlin Olson, married to McElhenney, is a star. Charlie Day’s wife plays The Waitress, and both Glenn Howerton’s and Danny DeVito’s spouses have had cameos.
15. Mac and Dee Will Never Date
Despite being married in real life, Olson and McElhenney insist that Mac and Dee will never become a couple on the show. Their characters' mutual disdain is simply too funny to ruin
16. A Game of Thrones Collaboration
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, creators of Game of Thrones, co-wrote the Sunny episode “Flowers for Charlie.” Although there were talks about Sunny cast cameos in Westeros, scheduling conflicts sadly prevented it from happening.
17. DeVito Joined Because of His Kids
When McElhenney approached DeVito about joining the show, it was actually DeVito's kids—big fans of season one—who convinced him to say yes. Safe to say it worked out for everyone.
18. Pacific Rim Easter Eggs
In the episode “Flowers for Charlie,” several nods to Charlie Day’s film Pacific Rim are sprinkled throughout, including a cameo from Burn Gorman. Even Pacific Rim director Guillermo del Toro made an appearance on Sunny.
19. Charlie Day’s Improvised Musical Madness
Charlie Day often improvises songs during filming, including his musical number in "The Gang Tries Desperately To Win An Award." Many hilarious takes never even made it into the final episodes.
20. Kaitlin Olson Does Her Own Stunts
Unlike most actors, Olson insists on performing her own stunts. Whether it's crashing into parked cars or falling down stairs, Olson throws herself into the physical comedy without hesitation.
21. Filmed Where Seinfeld Was Made
When It’s Always Sunny moved production to Studio City, California, it landed on the historic Radford Lot—the same place where Seinfeld was filmed. Rob McElhenney joked on Instagram, “No pressure,” knowing the comedic legacy attached to the space.
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