Charlie Day’s net worth is approximately $35 million as of 2026. A surprisingly large fortune for a comedian best known for playing a barely-literate janitor who eats cat food — but then, that’s the beauty of owning the show. Day co-created It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia at age 28 with essentially no budget, and his backend ownership of one of TV’s longest-running comedies has been compounding ever since.
| Full Name | Charles Caroll Day |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 9, 1976 |
| Age | 50 years old |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, Writer, Producer, Voice Actor |
| Net Worth | $35 Million (2026) |
| Spouse/Partner | Mary Elizabeth Ellis (m. 2006) |
| Known For | Charlie Kelly (It’s Always Sunny), Luigi (Super Mario movies), Lego Movie franchise |
Frequently Asked Questions About Charlie Day
What is Charlie Day’s net worth in 2026?
Charlie Day’s net worth is estimated at $35 million in 2026. The majority of his wealth derives from his co-ownership and backend profits from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which is now in its 18th season and has generated enormous syndication and streaming revenue. His voice acting work in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Luigi) and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) has added significantly to his income in recent years.
How did It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia start?
In 2004, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Rob McElhenney filmed a short pilot called It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia with a consumer camcorder for $200. They posted it online and it caught the attention of FX, which ordered a series. The show premiered in 2005 and has run continuously ever since, setting a record as the longest-running live-action comedy series in US television history. The trio’s decision to retain creative control and backend ownership proved financially transformative.
Does Charlie Day own It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia?
Yes — Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Rob McElhenney co-own the show through their production company RCG Productions. This backend ownership means they receive a share of profits from syndication deals, streaming licensing (the show is on FX/Hulu), merchandise, and DVD/digital sales. With 18 seasons of content, the syndication and streaming income streams are substantial and ongoing. It’s the primary reason Day’s net worth is significantly higher than his acting fees alone would suggest.
What did Charlie Day do in The Super Mario Bros. Movie?
Charlie Day voiced Luigi — Mario’s brother and perennial sidekick — in both The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and its sequel The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026). The 2023 film grossed $1.36 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films ever. Day’s performance as the anxious but loveable Luigi earned strong reviews, and the sequel continued that partnership to similar commercial success. His fee for these films is estimated in the $2–4 million range per instalment.
How much does Charlie Day earn per episode of It’s Always Sunny?
Charlie Day is reported to earn approximately $500,000 per episode as both an actor and executive producer on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. With seasons typically running 8–10 episodes, that represents $4–5 million per season in acting/producing fees alone — before backend profits. Over 18+ seasons, this represents a considerable cumulative income, though his backend ownership stake in the show is ultimately the more valuable asset.
Is Charlie Day married?
Charlie Day married actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis in 2006. Ellis also appears regularly in It’s Always Sunny, playing “The Waitress” — the object of Charlie Kelly’s unrequited obsession, one of the show’s running gags. They have one son together, born in 2011. The couple has maintained a relatively private life away from tabloid scrutiny, unusual for performers of their profile.
What other movies has Charlie Day been in?
Beyond the Super Mario films and It’s Always Sunny, Charlie Day has appeared in Horrible Bosses (2011) and its sequel, Pacific Rim (2013), The Lego Movie franchise (voicing Benny the spaceman), Fist Fight (2017), and I Want You Back (2022). He tends to choose roles that play to his gift for physical comedy and high-pitched panic — a style that has made him instantly recognisable to audiences beyond the Always Sunny fanbase.
How old is Charlie Day?
Charlie Day was born on February 9, 1976, making him 50 years old as of 2026. He celebrated the milestone alongside the 20th anniversary of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a show he co-created before he was old enough to be called a seasoned TV veteran. Now at 50, he stands as one of the most successful actor-writer-producers of his generation.
What is Charlie Day’s net worth compared to the Always Sunny cast?
Among the core It’s Always Sunny cast, Rob McElhenney has the highest estimated net worth at around $50 million (boosted by the Wrexham AFC ownership story), followed by Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day at approximately $35 million each, with Kaitlin Olson close behind. Danny DeVito — who joined from Season 2 — has a significantly higher net worth of around $30 million from his decades-long film and television career. The three co-creator-owners (McElhenney, Howerton, Day) naturally have the strongest financial position due to their backend ownership stakes.
How Does Charlie Day Make Money?
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| It’s Always Sunny — Acting/Producing | $500K/episode | Annual (personal) | ~$4–5M per season as actor + executive producer |
| Always Sunny Backend Profits | $3–5M/year | Annual (personal) | Share of streaming/syndication revenue from 18 seasons |
| Super Mario Movies (Voice) | $2–4M per film | One-time (personal) | Luigi in both Super Mario films |
| Other Film & TV Roles | $500K–2M/year | Annual (personal) | Lego Movie franchise, Horrible Bosses, indie films |
| Estimated Total Net Worth | $35 Million (2026) | ||