If you’ve ever watched It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and wondered about the guy behind Dennis Reynolds’ golden god energy, you’re not alone—Glenn Howerton has spent two decades as one of TV’s most unforgettable narcissists, and his career decisions off-screen have generated just as many headlines, including questions about his salary, his health, and why he largely vanished from season 13. Here’s what’s actually known about his net worth, his career arc, and the rumors that won’t quite die.
Net worth: $25 million (est.) · Born: April 13, 1976 · Notable role: Dennis Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia · Years active: 2005–present
Quick snapshot
- Howerton has played Dennis Reynolds since the show’s debut in 2005 (Celebrity Net Worth)
- He starred as Jack Griffin in NBC’s A.P. Bio (The Ringer)
- Born April 13, 1976 (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Exact per-episode salary (estimates range from $500k to $750k) — not officially disclosed (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Whether he has any health condition — no public confirmation exists (Australian News Desk)
- Exact per-episode salary for A.P. Bio — not disclosed (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Ongoing role as Dennis Reynolds with no announced exit (Variety)
A quick reference for Howerton’s key details.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 13, 1976 |
| Net Worth | $25 million (est.) |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, writer, director |
| Notable Role | Dennis Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia |
Who played Dennis Reynolds?
Glenn Howerton has been Dennis Reynolds since the very first episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia aired in 2005. The character—a self-proclaimed “golden god” with a five-star rating system for sexual encounters—is the show’s most consistently unhinged presence. Howerton’s performance is so specific that fans rarely separate the actor from the role (Celebrity Net Worth).
Howerton doesn’t just play Dennis—he’s one of the creative forces behind the show, writing, producing, and directing episodes. That means his salary reflects not just acting but ownership in the product.
The implication: Howerton’s creative control translates directly into higher earnings.
What happened to Dennis Reynolds?
- Dennis remains a series regular across 16 seasons, though his screen time dipped in season 13.
- He has no permanent ending—the character continues to appear in new seasons (Variety).
The implication: Dennis Reynolds is as close to a TV immortal as cable comedy produces. The character’s longevity isn’t an accident—it’s the anchor of a show that has outlasted nearly every sitcom from its era.
Why isn’t Glenn Howerton in season 13?
The short answer: he had another show to run. In 2018, Howerton was starring in NBC’s A.P. Bio while It’s Always Sunny was shooting its 13th season, creating a calendar collision that forced him into a reduced role (Variety). Season 13 premiered September 5, 2018, with 10 episodes total, and Howerton appeared in 6 of them (Wikipedia).
Rob McElhenney—Howerton’s co-star and co-creator—told Variety that Howerton was “in nearly every episode,” a framing that softened the reality that Dennis was largely absent from the middle of the season. TVLine echoed that, reporting he was in “pretty much every” episode (TVLine). The actual viewing experience told a different story: Dennis zipped in and out, often via phone calls or quick scenes.
Did Glenn Howerton want to leave Sunny?
- No. Howerton publicly rejected the idea that he’d left Sunny to pursue A.P. Bio exclusively (The Ringer).
- Entertainment Weekly reported he’d considered whether to continue as Dennis after season 12, while balancing A.P. Bio (Entertainment Weekly).
Did Denis quit Always Sunny?
- No—he returned as a full-time regular in later seasons, including season 16 in 2023.
The trade-off: Howerton bet on building a second franchise with A.P. Bio, which lasted four seasons before NBC cancelled it in 2021. The show’s cancellation pushed him back to Sunny as his primary vehicle—a decision that worked out for fans, but it’s a reminder that every media career is a portfolio game.
What is Glenn Howerton’s illness?
There is no credible public information that Glenn Howerton has any illness. The question appears to be a piece of fan speculation that gained traction online, likely fueled by his reduced screen time in season 13 and the general in-universe weirdness of Dennis Reynolds’ character. A 2024 article from Australian News Desk explicitly addresses the “illness” framing and concludes there’s no verified basis for it.
When a fan-favorite actor dials back screen time, health rumors are the default explanation—even when the real reason is a scheduling conflict. Here it was a TV show, not a medical condition.
The pattern holds across celebrity coverage: absence reads as illness until a verifiable alternative surfaces. In Howerton’s case, the alternative—a network comedy deal—was documented in trade press at the time.
How much does Glenn Howerton make per episode?
Howerton’s per-episode salary for It’s Always Sunny is not publicly disclosed. Estimates from Celebrity Net Worth place it in the $500,000–$750,000 range. That’s a far cry from the $1 million per-episode benchmark that some actors on major network shows command, but it’s substantial for a cable comedy that runs on FXX.
What pushes Howerton’s earnings higher is the show’s longevity and his multi-hyphenate status. He’s credited as an actor, producer, director, and screenwriter, which means he collects on several revenue streams for each season (Celebrity Net Worth).
What actors make $1 million per episode?
- Actors on the highest-tier network shows—think the casts of Friends in its final seasons or current network drama leads—reach that benchmark.
- Cable sitcom actors rarely approach it, even on long-running hits.
Why this matters: Howerton’s per-episode figure reflects a negotiation that happened years ago. The cast famously locked in a major deal in 2015 that included profit participation, which is worth more over time than a flat per-episode bump.
How rich is Glenn Howerton?
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Howerton’s net worth at $25 million (Celebrity Net Worth). A separate 2024 estimate from Australian News Desk put the figure closer to $12 million. Neither figure is an audited financial disclosure—net worth estimates for actors are exactly that: estimates based on reported salaries, production credits, and assumed asset accumulation.
The gap between $12 million and $25 million illustrates how sensitive these figures are to assumptions about backend deals, residual income, and real estate. What both estimates agree on is that Howerton’s wealth is built on a single dominant property: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which has now run for 16 seasons and shows no sign of stopping.
The implication: Howerton’s financial future remains closely linked to Sunny’s continued success.
Career timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 13, 1976 | Born in Japan to American parents |
| 2005 | It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia premieres; Howerton begins role as Dennis Reynolds |
| 2018 | A.P. Bio premieres on NBC; Howerton stars and produces |
| 2018 | Season 13 of Sunny airs with Howerton in 6 of 10 episodes |
| 2021 | A.P. Bio cancelled after four seasons |
| 2023 | Returns to full-time role in Sunny season 16 |
Two commitments, one collision: no career timeline makes sense without A.P. Bio. The show took Howerton away from Sunny at its peak moment of fan curiosity about Dennis.
Confirmed facts
- Howerton plays Dennis Reynolds since 2005 (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Born April 13, 1976 (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Had a reduced role in season 13 due to A.P. Bio (Variety)
What’s unclear
- Whether Howerton has any health condition—no public confirmation exists
- Exact per-episode salary—estimates range from $500k to $750k
- Whether he’ll stay on Sunny for future seasons
“I never left the show. The narrative that I chose A.P. Bio over Sunny was never accurate.”
Glenn Howerton, via The Ringer
“Glenn Howerton’s net worth is a product of two decades of consistent television work, not a single breakout hit.”
Celebrity Net Worth analysis, via Celebrity Net Worth
For the actor, the decision to balance two shows was always a portfolio play—and the market ultimately decided which show held more value. A.P. Bio was cancelled; Sunny rolled on. For Howerton, the choice is clear: keep doing what 16 seasons of viewers actually want to watch, or risk the A.P. Bio gamble again.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Glenn Howerton’s wife?
Howerton is married to actress Jill Latiano. The couple wed in 2009. This is public record from general media coverage of the actor’s personal life.
What is Glenn Howerton’s height?
Howerton stands at approximately 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), based on standard actor biography data.
What movies and TV shows has Glenn Howerton appeared in?
Beyond It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Howerton starred in A.P. Bio (2018–2021), appeared in Fargo (TV series), and had film roles including The Strangers.
What is Glenn Howerton’s age?
Howerton was born April 13, 1976, making him 48 years old as of 2025.
Why did they replace Dee on Always Sunny?
They didn’t. Kaitlin Olson, who plays Dee, has been a regular cast member for the whole series. The “replacement” rumor is unfounded.
Why is Always Sunny not cancelled?
The show has remained profitable for FX/FXX and continues to draw a devoted audience. In 2025, it was renewed for a 17th season, reflecting the network’s confidence in the series.
Does Dee wear a wig in Always Sunny?
Kaitlin Olson has occasionally worn extensions or styling pieces for the character, but Dee’s signature look is not a full wig; Olson’s natural hair is styled for the role.
Related reading
For more on Howerton’s career, see Glenn Howerton: Why He Left Season 13, Net Worth & Health and Glenn Howerton: Career, Net Worth, and Always Sunny Facts.
Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.