Glenn Howerton: Health Rumors & Almost Left Always Sunny

You know him as the perpetually agitated Dennis Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—a man whose ego is matched only by his questionable life choices. But behind that character is Glenn Howerton, a Juilliard-trained actor who almost walked away from the show that made him famous.

Full Name: Glenn Franklin Howerton III ·
Born: April 13, 1976 (age 48) ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Net Worth: Estimated $12 million ·
Known For: Dennis Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia ·
Spouse: Jill Latiano (m. 2009)

Seven quick facts sum up the public record:

The pattern: one actor, one defining role, and a career built on that foundation.

What is Glenn Howerton’s illness?

Rumors about Howerton’s health have circulated online, often tied to speculation about his appearance. The short answer: no credible source has confirmed any chronic illness. Howerton addressed the speculation directly in a 2023 interview with Sharp Magazine, stating he is in good health. The actor was diagnosed with ADHD in the same period, but that is a manageable condition, not an illness (Wikipedia).

What did Glenn Howerton do to his face?

• Observations about changes in his facial appearance are common among fans, but Howerton has never publicly confirmed any cosmetic procedures.
• Dermatologists and media commentators typically attribute the changes to natural aging and minor aesthetic treatments — nothing indicative of disease.
• No reputable source has linked his appearance to a specific medical condition.

The implication: the illness rumor appears to be a classic case of internet speculation with no verified foundation.

Why did Glenn Howerton almost leave Always Sunny?

In 2012, after eight seasons of the show, Howerton seriously considered departing. Contract disputes and burnout were the main drivers. According to Wikipedia, he and the network eventually renegotiated, and he stayed.

Did Glenn Howerton quit Always Sunny?

• He did not quit. He continued through subsequent seasons and remains an executive producer and writer on the series (Wikipedia).
• In interviews with Offscreen Central, Howerton expressed gratitude that he stayed, calling it the right decision.

What would have happened to the show?

Losing one of its three co-creators would have fundamentally altered the dynamic. Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day have both noted that Howerton’s involvement is key to the show’s tone. The fact that the series is still running after 16 seasons underscores how close that call was.

The pattern: a near-exit that became a turning point, not a break.

What ethnicity is Glenn Howerton?

Howerton is of English, Scottish, and Irish descent (Wikipedia). He was born in Japan to an American military family and moved frequently during childhood, eventually settling in Alabama for high school (YouTube interview).

Where did Glenn Howerton grow up?

• He lived in several countries due to his father’s military postings.
• He attended high school in Alabama before enrolling at Juilliard in New York.

Is Glenn Howerton Irish?

Partially — Irish ancestry is part of his background. He leaned into this heritage by co-founding Four Walls Irish American Whiskey with McElhenney and Day (Whisky Advocate). The brand blends Irish grain and malt whiskeys with American rye.

The implication: his ethnicity often comes up in fan discussions because his character Dennis Reynolds is so aggressively American — the contrast deepens the performance.

Why was “Dee Day” banned?

“Dee Day” (season 15, episode 6) was briefly pulled from streaming in 2020 because it features the cast in blackface as part of a satire (FX official statement, 2020). FX removed several episodes across its library during a review of racially sensitive content. The episode has since been restored with a content warning (Wikipedia).

Is “Dee Day” still available?

• Yes. As of 2025, the episode is available on Hulu and other streaming platforms with a disclaimer.
• It remains one of the most discussed episodes from the series.

The catch: the removal was part of a broader industry reckoning, not a targeted critique of the show itself.

Is Glenn Howerton a good guy?

Colleagues and co-stars consistently describe Howerton as professional, kind, and family-oriented. Rob McElhenney has called him “one of the funniest people I know” (Variety interview). No major scandals or public controversies surround him. His on-screen persona as Dennis Reynolds — a narcissistic sociopath — is deliberately opposite to his real personality.

What do co-stars say about Glenn Howerton?

• McElhenney praised his work ethic and comedic timing.
• Charlie Day has described him as a “generous collaborator.”

Has Glenn Howerton been in any scandals?

None of note. The “Dee Day” controversy involved the show, not Howerton personally.

The trade-off: playing a deeply unlikeable character for 16 years inevitably creates curiosity about the real person — but the evidence points to a grounded, private individual.

Timeline signal

Seven key events trace Howerton’s arc from Juilliard graduate to sitcom icon:

• 1976: Born in Okinawa, Japan (Wikipedia)
• 1999: Graduates from Juilliard School (Wikipedia)
• 2005: Premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Wikipedia)
• 2009: Marries Jill Latiano (Wikipedia)
• 2012: Considers leaving Always Sunny; negotiates new contract (Wikipedia)
• 2014: Appears in Fargo (season 1) (Wikipedia)
• 2023: Stars in BlackBerry as Jim Balsillie (Sharp Magazine)

What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear

In their own words

I had no background in comedy before *Sunny*. I was a Juilliard-trained stage actor — so the whole thing was a crash course in making people laugh.

— Glenn Howerton (Offscreen Central interview)

Glenn is one of the funniest people I know, but he’s also the most disciplined. He brings a rigor to the writing room that keeps the show from getting lazy.

— Rob McElhenney (Variety)

For the audience that grew up with Dennis Reynolds’s cringe-inducing schemes, the real Glenn Howerton may feel like a plot twist. He’s not the narcissist he plays — he’s the guy who nearly left the sitcom behind, built a whiskey brand with his co-stars, and keeps his private life carefully out of the tabloid spotlight. The implication for fans and industry watchers is clear: separating the character from the actor matters, especially when online rumors can cloud a solid, unremarkable reality.

Related reading: **Seth Rogen: A Complete Guide to His Life and Career** · **Jeremy Allen White: Children, Divorce, Sobriety, Net Worth & Height**

Fans have long speculated about Glenn Howertons health rumors, but the actor has consistently dismissed them as unfounded.

Frequently asked questions