Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis: Why Their Relationship Still Works After 20 Years

If you’ve spent any time watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, you’ve probably felt a little bad for Charlie Kelly. He’s obsessed with "The Waitress." He stalks her, leaves her gifts of vitamins and hair, and she responds with a level of visceral disgust that is honestly impressive to watch. But here is the thing that still blows people's minds: Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis are actually happily married in real life.

It’s one of those Hollywood facts that feels like a glitch in the Matrix.

They didn't meet on the set of Paddy's Pub, though. Their story actually starts way back in 2001 in a New York City bar, years before anyone knew what a "milk steak" was. Charlie claims he had to arm-wrestle one of his friends to win the right to even go talk to her. He won, obviously. Mary Elizabeth, however, remembers it a bit differently. She told Conan O’Brien she didn't even notice the arm-wrestling; she just saw a very drunk guy who looked like he needed a little help.

Basically, they’ve been together since before they were famous, which is probably why they seem so normal.

The Reno 911 Audition That Sealed the Deal

Before Sunny became a cult phenomenon, the couple worked together on a little show called Reno 911!. This is where things get weirdly "on brand" for their sense of humor. They went into the audition together and told the casting directors they were brother and sister.

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Then they started making out.

It was an improv bit, totally planned, but it worked. The directors were so weirded out and impressed that they cast them as "Inbred Twins" in the 2004 episode "Not Without My Mustache." If you haven't seen it, it’s exactly as uncomfortable as it sounds. But that’s the secret sauce of Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis. They share a specific, dark, absurd sense of humor that allows them to play these absolutely deranged characters while keeping a healthy marriage at home.

Marriage, Career, and Navigating the "Waitress" Fame

They got married on March 4, 2006. At that point, Always Sunny was just a fledgling show on FX that almost got canceled after its first season. Fast forward to 2026, and it's the longest-running live-action sitcom in history.

Mary Elizabeth has spoken about how people used to yell "Waitress!" at her on the street constantly. It's gotta be a little strange when your most famous role is a character whose name nobody even knows. Yet, she’s built a massive career outside of that world. You've probably seen her in Santa Clarita Diet, Licorice Pizza, or most recently, her lead role in the Netflix series A Man on the Inside alongside Ted Danson.

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Charlie is her biggest fan. No, seriously. He’s a total "wife guy." In recent interviews, he’s been vocal about how he’s just waiting for a call to guest star on her show. He even joked he'd play a senior citizen with a limp just to get a scene with her.

Life at Home with Russell

In December 2011, they welcomed their son, Russell Wallace Day.

Fatherhood changed things for Charlie. He told Interview Magazine that it helped him stop putting his career on a pedestal. Life became less about the next big movie and more about who is cleaning up the mess and what’s for lunch tomorrow. They lead a relatively quiet life in Los Angeles, far removed from the tabloid drama that eats up other celebrity couples.

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Honestly, it’s rare to see a Hollywood couple last over two decades.

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What makes them different? They talk shop. A lot. Mary Elizabeth told GQ that they discuss their creative processes constantly. She mentioned that she couldn't imagine being with someone who didn't "get" the work. But they also know when to turn it off.

• They started as a "one-night stand." Mary Elizabeth joked on a red carpet that their relationship was essentially a one-night stand that just never ended.
• They aren't afraid to be mean to each other on camera. Charlie says it’s "healthy" that she gets to be so mean to him on Sunny. It’s a release valve.
• They respect the craft. They treat comedy like a job, which allows them to leave the "Charlie and The Waitress" toxicity at the studio.

It’s refreshing. In a world of curated Instagram "perfection," they feel like two people who just really like each other’s jokes.

What You Can Learn from the Day-Ellis Dynamic

If you're looking for the secret to a long-term partnership, look at these two. It’s not about being perfect; it's about finding someone who shares your weirdness.

Next Steps for Fans:

• Watch the Reno 911! Episode: Go find Season 2, Episode 7. It is the origin story of their on-screen chemistry, and it is hilarious.
• Check out 'A Man on the Inside': Watch Mary Elizabeth Ellis lead a cast without Charlie by her side. It shows exactly why she’s one of the best character actresses working today.
• Rewatch 'The Nightman Cometh': Now that you know they are married in real life, Charlie Kelly’s musical proposal to the Waitress hits completely differently.

They are proof that you can be "inbred twins" on TV and a power couple in real life. That’s the dream, right?