Skip to content
Surf Wiki
Save to docs
arts

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Glenn Howerton

American actor and producer (born 1976)


Summary

American actor and producer (born 1976)

FieldValue
nameGlenn Howerton
imageGlenn Howerton by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
captionHowerton in 2013
birth_nameGlenn Franklin Howerton III
birth_date
birth_placeOkinawa Prefecture, Japan
citizenshipUnited States
occupation
years_active1996–present
spouse
children2

Glenn Franklin Howerton III (born April 13, 1976) is an American actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for playing Dennis Reynolds on the FX/FXX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–present), which he co-developed and on which he serves as an executive producer and writer alongside the other main cast members.

Howerton's other notable performances include Cliff Gilbert on The Mindy Project (2012–2017), Don Chumph on the first season of Fargo (2014), Jack Griffin on A.P. Bio (2018–2021), and Jim Balsillie in the film BlackBerry (2023). He also co-hosted The Always Sunny Podcast (2021–2023) with his fellow Always Sunny co-stars and co-creators Rob Mac and Charlie Day.

Early life

Howerton was born in Okinawa Prefecture on April 13, 1976, the son of American parents Janice and Glenn Franklin Howerton Jr. He has an older sister named Courtney. His father's job as a fighter pilot was the reason he was born in Japan, and it required the family to constantly move. Almost immediately after his birth, the family returned to the U.S. to live in Arizona and then New Mexico. When he was three years old, they relocated to England, where they lived in Felixstowe. Four years later, they again returned to the U.S. to live in Virginia. They then had a stint in South Korea, where they were based in Seoul. When he was 10 years old, they returned to the U.S. for a third time and settled in Montgomery, Alabama.

After graduating from Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, Howerton moved to Miami, where he spent two years at the New World School of the Arts of Miami Dade College. In 1996, he entered Juilliard School's Drama Division in New York City, where he graduated with a BFA as part of Group 29 (1996–2000).

Career

In 2002, Howerton starred as Corey Howard in That '80s Show. He went on to guest star on ER as Dr. Nick Cooper in 2003. He had small roles in the films Must Love Dogs (2005), Serenity (2005), Two Weeks (2006), and The Strangers (2008). He also appeared as a doctor in Crank (2006), and reprised the role in its 2009 sequel, Crank: High Voltage.

Howerton is best known for playing the narcissistic and sociopathic Dennis Reynolds on the FX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–present). The series was co-created by Howerton alongside Rob Mac and Charlie Day, who all serve as producers, writers, and main cast members alongside Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito. As of season 14, he has also directed two episodes. In December 2021, Always Sunny became the longest-running live-action American comedy of all time with the release of its fifteenth season.

In 2008, Howerton co-created sci-fi comedy Boldly Going Nowhere with Day, Mac and writing assistant Adam Stein, but the pilot was permanently shelved. He has also had producing roles on various projects created by other Always Sunny colleagues like David Hornsby such as How to Be a Gentleman, Unsupervised and The Cool Kids. Howerton also did several voice roles including a recurring part on The Cleveland Show as Ernie Krinklesac.

He played the lead role in a film for the first time in 2013, when he landed the character of Will in the CollegeHumor comedy film Coffee Town with co-stars Steve Little and Ben Schwartz. Soon after, he landed recurring roles on the Fox comedy series The Mindy Project (2012–2017) as Cliff Gilbert, the divorce lawyer introduced in season 2 as one of Mindy's love interests, on the critically acclaimed first season of the FX dark comedy series Fargo (2014–present) as Don Chumph, and on the Showtime comedy-drama series House of Lies (2012–2016) starring Don Cheadle in its final season as the young mayoral candidate Seth Buckley. Howerton also played a small part as the gun-running Dominic in the Netflix Original film Officer Downe (2016) starring Kim Coates.

His next major television role came in 2018 on the NBC single-camera comedy created by Mike O'Brien, A.P. Bio (2018–2021), where he played Jack Griffin, an arrogant Harvard philosophy professor whose fall from grace had forced him to get a job teaching biology to high school students in his hometown of Toledo while plotting to exact revenge on his nemesis and restore his career. The show ran for two seasons on NBC before it was cancelled and then picked up by Peacock, NBC's streaming service, where it ran for another two seasons. In December 2021, it was cancelled for good. In October 2022, it was announced that he would be voicing Fred Jones on the upcoming HBO Max animated series Velma.

Starting in November 2021, Day, Mac and Howerton launched The Always Sunny Podcast, a weekly show loosely based on the rewatch format of podcasting, which had grown in popularity in recent years, to coincide with the release of the record-breaking season 15 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In June 2022, they released Four Walls Whiskey with all proceeds from the 15-year single-malt Irish whiskey going towards supporting the Pennsylvania hospitality industry which was badly hit by the pandemic.

In August 2022, it was announced that Howerton would be co-starring with Jay Baruchel in a Canadian biopic directed by Matt Johnson on the rise and fall of BlackBerry as one of its co-founders. The film BlackBerry (2023) premiered in competition at Berlinale 2023 on February 17 to positive reviews from critics, with Howerton's performance as Jim Balsillie being especially well received.

In 2025, he played Ethan Corbin III on the Netflix dark comedy limited series Sirens.

Personal life

Howerton dated actress Morena Baccarin when they were at Juilliard together.

Howerton married actress Jill Latiano on September 5, 2009, following an engagement that lasted for over a year. They have two sons together, the first born in 2011 and the second born in 2014.

Howerton was diagnosed with ADHD in 2023. He has said that he follows a vegan diet "about 95% of the time".

Filmography

Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005Must Love DogsMichael
2005SerenityLilac Young Tough
2006CrankDoctor
2006Two WeeksMatthew Bergman
2008The StrangersMike
2008Happy WednesdaySpencer ScottShort film
2009Crank: High VoltageDoctorUncredited
2010Everything Must GoGary
2013Coffee TownWill
2014All the WildernessExecutive producer
2016Officer DowneDominic
2020The HuntRichard
2020ArchenemyThe Manager
2021How It EndsJohn
2022The Send-OffProducer
2022The Thief CollectorJerry
2023BlackBerryJim Balsillie
2023Fool's ParadiseBusiness Manager

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Monday Night MayhemDick EbersolTelevision film
2002The JobYoung GuyEpisode: "Gay"
2002That '80s ShowCorey HowardMain role (13 episodes)
2003ERDr Nick Cooper6 episodes
2005–presentIt's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaDennis Reynolds Wendell AlbrightMain role
Also co-creator (uncredited), developer, executive producer, writer and director
2008Boldly Going NowhereLt Zander CentauriGuest role (unaired pilot)
Also co-creator, executive producer and writer
2009American Dad!Animal Control Guy #1Voice; Episode: "Weiner of Our Discontent"
2009–2010Glenn Martin, DDSVarious voices3 episodes
2009–2013The Cleveland ShowErnie Krinklesac, various rolesVoice; 30 episodes
2011Vietnam in HDDonald DeVoreMiniseries (5 episodes)
2011How to be a GentlemanConsulting producer (8 episodes)
2012UnsupervisedClint / DirtVoice; 4 episodes
Also executive producer and writer (13 episodes)
2013–2017The Mindy ProjectCliff GilbertRecurring role in seasons 2, 3 and 6 (13 episodes)
2014–2015Family GuyVarious rolesVoice; 4 episodes (uncredited in season 12, credited in season 13)
2014FargoDon Chumph5 episodes
2015On the Record with Mick RockExecutive producer
2015TripTankCongressman Rothbard
Congressman Hume
Congressman AdornoEpisode: "Mr. Winchester Goes to Washington"
2016House of LiesSeth Buckley4 episodes
2018The Cool KidsExecutive producer
2018–2021A.P. BioJack GriffinMain role (42 episodes)
Also co-executive producer, producer (season 1) and director
2020The FugitiveJerryMain role (14 episodes)
2023–2024VelmaFred JonesVoice; main role
2025Abbott ElementaryDennis ReynoldsEpisode: "Volunteers"
Crossover with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
2025SirensEthan Corbin IIINetflix limited series
2025The SimpsonsPeter LinzVoice; Episode: "Bart 'N' Frink"

Web

YearTitleRoleNotes
2021–2023The Always Sunny PodcastHimself/host68 episodes

Music videos

YearTitleArtistNotes
2017"Rich Friends"Portugal. The Man

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000Compleat Female Stage BeautyDuke of Buckinghamurl= https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/278561-glenn-howertontitle=Glenn Howerton theatre profile}}
2001The Credeaux CanvasJamie
2015The Comedy of ErrorsAntipholus of Ephesus, Antipholus of Syracuse

Awards and nominations

YearAward CeremonyCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2015International Online Cinema AwardsBest Writing for a Comedy Series (shared with Charlie Day and Rob Mac)It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
2019IGN Summer Movie AwardsBest TV Ensemble (shared with Charlie Day, Rob Mac, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito)
2023Chicago Film Critics Association AwardsBest Supporting ActorBlackBerry
Gotham AwardsOutstanding Supporting Performance
Hollywood Film Critics Association Midseason AwardsBest Supporting Actor
Indiana Film Journalists AssociationBest Lead Performance
Las Vegas Film Critics Society AwardsBest Supporting Actor
North Texas Film Critics Association
Toronto Film Critics Association AwardsOutstanding Supporting Performance
Outstanding Performance in a Canadian Film
UK Film Critics Association AwardsSupporting Actor of the Year
2024ASTRA AwardsGame Changer Award
Best Supporting Actor
Canadian Screen Awards, CAPerformance in a Supporting Role, Comedy
Chicago Indie Critics AwardsBest Supporting Actor
Columbus Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Performance
DiscussingFilm Critic AwardsBest Supporting Actor
Georgia Film Critics Association
Independent Spirit AwardsBest Supporting Performance
Music City Film Critics' Association AwardsBest Supporting Actor
Online Film & Television AssociationBest Breakthrough Performance: Male
Vancouver Film Critics CircleBest Supporting Male Actor in a Canadian Film
Canadian Screen AwardsBest Supporting Performance in a Comedy Film

Notes

References

References

  1. (Jan 10, 2022). "4. Charlie Has Cancer: The Always Sunny Podcast".
  2. "Glenn Howerton Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards". TVGuide.com.
  3. (15 March 2018). "Glenn Howerton Is Dead Serious About Being Funny". gq.com.
  4. (November 2007). "Alumni News". [[The Juilliard School]].
  5. Jason Buchanan. "Glenn Howerton". [[The New York Times]].
  6. Schmikowitz, Matt. (May 13, 2013). "Getting Trapped in Nostalgia in 'That 80s Show'".
  7. "Glenn Howerton: Biography". TVGuide.com.
  8. "Glenn Howerton as Dennis Reynolds {{!}} Always Sunny on FXX".
  9. Gonzalez, Sandra. (August 7, 2013). "'It's Always Sunny' star to woo [spoiler] on 'Mindy Project'".
  10. Damon, Lauren. (May 20, 2014). "Glenn Howerton talks about his role in FX's hit show "Fargo"".
  11. (2015-10-22). "'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' Star Glenn Howerton to Recur on 'House of Lies' (Exclusive)".
  12. (2018-01-31). "Missing It's Always Sunny? Glenn Howerton Has a New Jerk for You".
  13. Petski, Denise. (2021-12-06). "'A.P. Bio' Canceled After Four Seasons By Peacock".
  14. Porter, Rick. (2021-12-06). "'A.P. Bio' Canceled at Peacock After 4 Seasons".
  15. Porter, Rick. (2022-10-06). "Mindy Kaling's 'Velma' HBO Max Series Assembles Its Scooby Gang".
  16. "The Always Sunny Podcast".
  17. Cohen, Jonathan. (2022-06-13). "'The Always Sunny Podcast' to Join Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, More at Bourbon and Beyond Festival (EXCLUSIVE)".
  18. Japhe, Brad. (2022-06-23). "'It's Always Sunny' Stars Break the Fourth Wall With New Irish Whiskey Release".
  19. Ravindran, Manori. (2022-08-23). "'BlackBerry': Story of Doomed Smartphone Company Casts Jay Baruchel & Glenn Howerton, XYZ Films Boards Sales for TIFF (EXCLUSIVE)".
  20. "Behind the scenes of ''That '80s Show''". EW.com.
  21. (May 13, 2023). "'BlackBerry': A Superhero Origin Story for the Great O.G. Smartphone".
  22. Hammond, Pete. (2023-02-17). "Berlin Review: 'BlackBerry', A Biopic Of A Smartphone, Turns Out To Be As Triumphant And Tragic As 'Elvis'".
  23. Debruge, Peter. (2023-02-17). "'BlackBerry' Review: A Ferocious and Nearly Unrecognizable Glenn Howerton Steals This Rowdy Tech-World Satire".
  24. Rooney, David. (2023-02-17). "'BlackBerry' Review: Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton in a Scrappy Account of the Once-Ubiquitous Smartphone".
  25. Otterson, Joe. (2024-07-02). "Kevin Bacon, Glenn Howerton Join Netflix Limited Dark Comedy Series 'Sirens'".
  26. "Hey, Hey — Dark Comedy Sirens Has Come Calling". Netflix Tudum.
  27. "Who Is Glenn Howerton's Wife? All About Jill Latiano".
  28. (December 6, 2023). "Glenn Howerton : You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes".
  29. Howerton, Glenn. (June 30, 2019). "Twitter".
  30. Andreeva, Nellie. (2018-06-12). "'The Cool Kids': Patrick Walsh Tapped As Showrunner Of New Fox Comedy Series".
  31. (June 16, 2017). "Portugal. The Man - Rich Friends [Official Music Video]".
  32. "Glenn Howerton theatre profile".
  33. Connie Thiessen, [https://broadcastdialogue.com/canadian-screen-awards-winners-cinematic-arts-2/ "Canadian Screen Awards winners: Cinematic Arts"] {{Webarchive. link. (May 31, 2024 . ''Broadcast Dialogue'', May 30, 2024.)
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Glenn Howerton — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report