Kaitlin Olson

Kaitlin Willow Olson McElhenney (born August 18, 1975) is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her roles as Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds in the FXX comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (since 2005) and Morgan Gillory in the ABC crime drama series High Potential (since 2024).

Also on television, she has portrayed recurring characters such as Becky in the HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2020) and Deborah "DJ" Vance Jr. in the HBO Max comedy-drama series Hacks (since 2021). She played Mackenzie "Mickey" Molng, the lead role in the Fox comedy series The Mick (2017–2018). She has appeared in several comedy films, including Leap Year (2010), The Heat (2013), Finding Dory (2016), and Champions (2023).

Olson received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role as Cricket Melfi in the Quibi comedy series Flipped (2020), in the category of Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. She went on to receive two more Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022 and 2024 for her role in Hacks.

Olson was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 18, 1975, to Donald Lee Olson, a publisher, and Melinda Leora, a nurse and the CEO of Earth Mama Angel Baby organics. Shortly after she was born, Olson moved with her family to Spokane, Washington, then to Vashon Island, Washington, in Puget Sound. Olson lived there until she was eight. Kaitlin's family went back to the Portland area, settling in Tualatin, where she grew up on a farm. Her father worked as the publisher of the Portland Tribune from 2000 to 2001.

At age twelve, Olson was in a serious bicycle accident involving a vehicle, resulting in a fractured skull requiring reconstructive surgery. She graduated from Tigard High School in Tigard, Oregon, in 1993. She studied theater at the University of Oregon, graduating with a bachelor's degree in theater arts in 1997. After college, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally.

Olson was a member of The Groundlings Sunday Company, along with Dax Shepard. She toured with the USO to Bosnia, Kosovo and Norway.

In 2000, Olson made her debut television appearance in the HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm as the recurring role of Becky, Cheryl Hines's sister. She also had a minor role in the film Coyote Ugly (2000). Olson went on to make guest appearances in several television series, including The Drew Carey Show (2002–2004), Punk'd (2003), Miss Match (2003), George Lopez (2004), and Out of Practice (2006).

Olson received wider recognition when she was cast as Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds in the FX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (since 2005), one of the then-four (later five) main characters on the series. She garnered critical acclaim for her performance, with particular praise for her physical comedy.