Rob McElhenney shortens name to Rob Mac: 'Purely practical'
Share and Follow


“The amount of time that I have wasted trying to get people to either spell or say my name correctly is literally days of my life,” he explained.

LOS ANGELES — “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” actor Rob McElhenney wants to make one thing clear: don’t overthink his decision to legally shorten his name. 

In fact, he wants fans to spend as little time thinking about it — and trying to pronounce it — as possible.

In a short video posted Tuesday on social media, McElhenney — who, going forward, will be legally known as Rob Mac — offered a rapid-fire defense of his recent legal name change request, acknowledging the move might seem “kinda douchey” but insisting it’s purely practical.

“The amount of time that I have wasted trying to get people to either spell or say my name correctly is literally days of my life,” he said as a 60-second countdown timer ticked away on screen. “Trust me, I added it up.”

The 48-year-old actor, who co-created the long-running comedy series set in Philadelphia, framed the decision as an act of kindness toward his fans.

“More importantly, it means thousands of you have had minutes of your life stolen by me because of my last name,” he explained, as the video ran through examples of various mispronunciations he’s endured over the years.

Mac first revealed the name change in an interview with Variety, telling the magazine that people already called him “Rob Mac” anyway, referencing his iconic character from the FX sitcom.

McElhenney is “not even really our name,” he added. “Not only have many generations changed its spelling, the current one was just given to my ancestor by a government official who decided that this was now the spelling.”

His wife and co-star, actress Kaitlin Olson, said in the May “Variety” interview that she and the couple’s two kids still have the McElhenney surname. 

“Honestly, call me whatever you want — Marion, Jerome, Archibald, Eric, Maurice, Stephanie, Frances, Marvin, Gordon or Sam,” he continued in the video. “But maybe we just keep it simple and try Rob Mac.”

Legal documents filed in Los Angeles confirmed the name change became official this week. 

After nearly two decades of playing Mac on screen, the actor said his family “knows me and loves me regardless of how many syllables I have,” and that, he concluded as his timer hit zero, “is the only thing that I really care about.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Texas 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos vanishes outside her home on Christmas Eve

Urgent Search Underway for Missing Texas Teen Camila Mendoza Olmos, Last Seen on Christmas Eve

A search effort is actively underway in Texas this Saturday as authorities…
The Southern city defying America's housing market collapse

Southern City’s Resilient Housing Market Defies National Downturn

Once overshadowed by more prominent Southern cities such as Charleston, Atlanta, and…
Sam Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend set to be released from prison EARLY

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Former Partner to Receive Early Prison Release

Caroline Ellison, once romantically linked to disgraced cryptocurrency figure Sam Bankman-Fried, is…
3 injured in fight turned shooting at Jacksonville Westside bar, officers said

Three People Hurt in Shooting After Fight Erupts at Jacksonville Westside Bar, Police Report

A confrontation that began inside a restaurant escalated when the alleged shooter…
Gordon Ramsay's daughter Holly ties the knot with Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty

Celebrity Wedding Bells: Holly Ramsay Marries Olympic Champion Adam Peaty in Star-Studded Ceremony

Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty began their romantic journey in June 2023…
FBI agents detail Kash Patel's 'diva' behavior over screen time

FBI Agents Reveal Kash Patel’s Demands for Screen Time: Inside the Diva Drama

FBI agents have recently unveiled concerns regarding Director Kash Patel, alleging that…
Former University of Illinois Chicago hospital contractor Glenn Rhymes pleads guilty after showing patient gun in facility lobby

Ex-UIC Hospital Contractor Admits Guilt in Shocking Gun Incident: What Happened in the Lobby?

In a startling incident that unfolded at the University of Illinois Chicago…
Texas teenager's final words before she left home and vanished

Texas Teen’s Mysterious Disappearance: Last Words Before Leaving Home Spark Concern

A Texas teenager, missing since Christmas Eve, expressed her love to her…