Mikey Day and Paula Christensen: What Most People Get Wrong About Their 14-Year Romance

Mikey Day and Paula Christensen: What Most People Get Wrong About Their 14-Year Romance

You’ve probably seen Mikey Day a thousand times. He’s the guy who somehow makes a "Beavis and Butt-Head" sketch feel high-brow on Saturday Night Live, or the overly enthusiastic host of Is It Cake? who seems genuinely distressed by a hyper-realistic shoe made of fondant. But while his face is everywhere, his private life usually stays behind a very sturdy curtain.

Honestly, the internet is weirdly confused about his relationship status. For years, people just assumed he was a perpetual boyfriend. Others thought he was already married. The truth is a lot more interesting than a simple Wikipedia "spouse" tag.

The Secret Christmas Eve Wedding of Mikey Day and Paula Christensen

So, let's clear up the biggest mystery first: are they actually married?

Yes. As of late 2024, they finally made it official. After being together for roughly 14 years—which is about a century in Hollywood time—Mikey Day and Paula Christensen tied the knot in a quiet, low-key Christmas Eve City Hall ceremony. It wasn't some massive, televised gala with a five-tier cake. It was small. It was personal. It was very "them."

Most fans didn't even realize it happened until recent reports started surfacing in late 2025 and early 2026. They’ve always been the type of couple to post a blurry Instagram photo of a soccer game rather than a staged red carpet shot. That’s probably why they’ve lasted so long.

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How it all started at The Groundlings

The comedy world is small. If you're funny and live in Los Angeles, you eventually end up at The Groundlings. This is the legendary improv theater that birthed the careers of Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph. It’s also where Mikey and Paula’s paths crossed back in 2009.

Day was already making a name for himself as a writer and performer, while Christensen was part of the Groundlings Sunday Company. It’s a grueling environment—late nights, constant writing, and the high-stakes pressure of trying to make a room full of strangers laugh.

  • They didn't just meet; they "grew up" in the industry together.
  • Paula once shared a throwback photo of them in the "filthy corner" behind the theater, proving their roots are more about grit than glamour.
  • By 2012, they were a solidified unit, long before Mikey became an SNL household name.

Who is Paula Christensen? (She's More Than Just a "Wife")

It’s easy to get labeled as "the partner of [Famous Person]," but Paula Christensen has a pretty stacked resume herself. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she moved to the U.S. when she was just two years old. That Argentinian blood runs deep, though. If you follow her on social media, you know she is a die-hard soccer fan. When Argentina won the World Cup in 2022, the Day-Christensen household was basically a sea of blue and white jerseys.

Her Acting Credits

You’ve likely seen her on your TV screen without even realizing it. Paula is a prolific character actress who has appeared in some of the biggest sitcoms of the last decade.

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  1. Modern Family: She played Tammy in Season 8. Fun fact: she actually auditioned for that show over 50 times before finally booking a role. That is some serious persistence.
  2. FBI: Showing off her range in a more dramatic setting.
  3. 2 Broke Girls: A classic sitcom guest spot.
  4. Parenthood: Another high-profile credit that proves she knows her way around a set.

She also produces and writes. She isn't just sitting backstage at Studio 8H waiting for Mikey to finish a sketch; she’s a creator in her own right. She’s often described herself as being "fermented in New York," reflecting the bicoastal life they lead between the SNL production cycle and their Los Angeles roots.

Raising Abbott: The "Uncool" Parents

In August 2012, the couple welcomed their son, Abbott.

Raising a kid when your dad is a famous comedian is probably a trip. Abbott has even made a few cameos on Saturday Night Live, most notably in a 2019 "Children's Clothing Ad" sketch alongside his dad. Mikey has joked in interviews that Abbott is now a "tween" and starting to find his parents—wait for it—"annoying" and "uncool."

It doesn't matter if you're a famous TV star or a master of improv; once your kid hits a certain age, you are officially embarrassing. Mikey mentioned to She Knows that he refuses to accept that his son is getting older, a sentiment basically every parent on earth can relate to.

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The Dynamics of a Long-Distance-ish Life

Working on SNL is a lifestyle, not just a job. It means being in New York for most of the year, working 20-hour days during show weeks. Paula has been the glue holding the family together during those intense stretches.

During the 2020 quarantine, Mikey posted a rare "appreciation post" for Paula. He called her the "mama who added many roles to the crucial ones she already plays." He even poked fun at himself, thanking her for loving him, a "full idiot." That self-deprecating humor is a hallmark of their relationship. They clearly don't take themselves too seriously.

Why Their Relationship Actually Matters for Fans

In an era of messy celebrity divorces and three-month "situationships," Mikey Day and Paula Christensen are a bit of an anomaly. They stayed together for 14 years before getting married. They had a child, built separate successful careers, and stayed out of the tabloids.

What can we learn from them?

  • Longevity over Labels: They didn't need a marriage license to prove their commitment for over a decade.
  • Supportive Rivalry: Both being in the same industry (comedy/acting) could be competitive, but they seem to champion each other's wins.
  • Privacy is Power: By keeping their "home life" mostly offline, they’ve managed to maintain a sense of normalcy that most celebrities lose instantly.

If you’re looking for drama, you won't find it here. You’ll just find two people who met in an alleyway behind a comedy theater and decided to build a life together.

Practical Takeaways for Your Own Life

  • Persistence pays off: Paula auditioned 50 times for one show. If you're facing rejection in your career, remember that the 51st time might be the charm.
  • Balance the hustle: Even with a high-octane career like SNL, finding time for "boring" things like watching a soccer game or a quiet Christmas Eve wedding is what actually keeps people grounded.
  • Humor is a survival skill: If you can’t call yourself a "full idiot" in front of your partner, what's the point?

Next Steps for Fans: If you want to see their chemistry in action, keep an eye out for Abbott's potential future cameos on SNL—he's already a "pro" according to his dad. You can also follow Paula's work on her production projects, as she continues to develop content that goes beyond her guest-starring roles. Be sure to check out Mikey's hosting duties on Is It Cake? to see the goofy dad energy in full effect.