Rob McElhenney, the star of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “Welcome to Wrexham,” is making a big change – he has officially filed paperwork in Los Angeles to change his name to “Rob Mac.” This news was confirmed by Mac himself in an interview with Variety, following initial reports from TMZ.
This name change doesn’t come as a surprise to readers of Variety, as Mac had previously mentioned his intention to switch to a name that is easier to pronounce. In a recent cover story, he explained, “People already call me ‘Rob Mac’ or ‘Mac,’ obviously from the TV show. It just makes things so much easier.”
Fans may have already noticed that recent press releases from FX for both “Sunny” and “Wrexham” have started crediting him as “Rob Mac,” indicating that this change has been in the works for some time.
The decision to change his name came as Mac’s business ventures with More Better Industries expanded globally. With investments in soccer teams, apparel, tech, and alcohol companies in various countries, he found that his last name was causing confusion. “As our business and storytelling expand into other regions and languages where my name is even harder to pronounce, I’m just going by Rob Mac,” he explained.
Despite initial concerns about disrespecting his ancestry, Mac discovered through genealogical research that even some relatives had changed the family name over the years. This realization, along with support from family members who were also considering name changes, reassured him that this decision was the right one.
Not everyone in Mac’s life is on board with the name change, however. His wife, Kaitlin Olson, and their children are hesitant about the idea, with Olson joking that she is legally attached to the McElhenney name. Mac’s “Sunny” co-star Glenn Howerton expressed surprise at the news, comparing it to Mac’s bold move to purchase a soccer team in the UK.
As Mac takes this step to officially become Rob Mac, it marks a new chapter in his personal and professional life. The name change reflects his evolving identity and the global reach of his growing business ventures. Fans can expect to see more of Rob Mac in the future, both on and off the screen.
