Quick Facts
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Biography
Mary Elizabeth Ellis (born May 11, 1979) is an American actress and writer. She is best known for her role as The Waitress on the FX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Ellis also starred in the NBC sitcom Perfect Couples and the Fox sitcom The Grinder. She also appeared as Nick's ex-girlfriend Caroline in the sitcom New Girl. From 2017 to 2019, she starred as Lisa Palmer on the Netflix horror-comedy Santa Clarita Diet.
Early life
Ellis was born in Laurel, Mississippi. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2002.
Career
Ellis has appeared in a number of television series, including The Grinder, Cold Case, Without a Trace, House, Happy Endings, New Girl, Reno 911!, and the Netflix original series Santa Clarita Diet. She is best known for her role as The Waitress on the FX/FXX comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
In 2008, she co-wrote and starred in the independent film A Quiet Little Marriage. Ellis and Artemis Pebdani wrote and starred together in the stage show Mother May I Dance with Mary Jane's Fist?: A Lifetime Original Play at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles, California. In addition, Ellis and Pebdani are members of the Los Angeles-based performance group Discount Cruise to Hell.
Ellis was a series regular on the NBC romantic comedy series Perfect Couples, which ran for one season in 2011. Ellis also stars in The Lonely Island's music video for the song "Diaper Money".
In 2015 Ellis got her first main role as Debbie Sanderson, co-starring with Fred Savage and Rob Lowe in The Grinder. In 2020, Ellis appeared in Disney's Godmothered.
Personal life
Ellis married her It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-star Charlie Day on March 4, 2006. Their first child, a boy named Russell Wallace Day, was born on December 15, 2011.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | A Quiet Little Marriage | Olive | |
| 2009 | Pulling | Karen | |
| 2014 | The Last Time You Had Fun | Alison | |
| 2016 | Free State of Jones | Margaret | |
| 2016 | Masterminds | Michelle Chambers | |
| 2018 | The Truth About Lies | Sharon | |
| 2020 | Godmothered | Paula Walsh | |
| 2021 | How It Ends | Krista | |
| 2021 | Licorice Pizza | Momma Anita | |
| TBA | El Tonto | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Cracking Up | Jennifer | Episode: "Panic House" |
| 2004 | Reno 911! | Inbred Twin | Episode: "Not Without My Mustache" |
| 2005–present | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | The Waitress | 35 episodes |
| 2006 | House | Sophie | Episode: "Que Será Será" |
| 2007 | Without a Trace | Sally Price | Episode: "Skin Deep" |
| 2009 | Old Friends | Portia Bridges | Episode: "Introductions" |
| 2009 | Cold Case | Shelly Reid | Episode: "Lotto Fever" |
| 2010–2011 | Perfect Couples | Amy | 11 episodes |
| 2011–2014 | New Girl | Caroline | 6 episodes |
| 2012 | Georgia | Georgia | 3 episodes |
| 2012 | Up All Night | Connie Chafin | 2 episodes |
| 2012–2013 | Happy Endings | Daphne Wilson | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | The Millers | Debbie | Unaired pilot |
| 2013 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Dr. Rossi | Episode: "M.E. Time" |
| 2014–2016 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Various | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Drunk History | Dorothy Fuldheim | Episode: "Cleveland" |
| 2015–2016 | The Grinder | Debbie Sanderson | 22 episodes |
| 2017 | Animals. | Wendy (voice) | Episode: "Roaches" |
| 2017–2019 | Santa Clarita Diet | Lisa Palmer | 15 episodes |
| 2019 | The Cool Kids | M.J. | Episode: "Margaret Jr." |
| 2019 | Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ | Wivian Turnter | Episode: "Love Is the Most Dangerous Game" |
| 2019 | Lodge 49 | Daphne Larson | 5 episodes |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Tempest | Ariel | PCPA Theaterfest |
| 2002 | Killer Joe | Dotty | Artists Repertory Theatre Portland |
| 2015 | Trevor | Ashley | Circle X Theatre Co. |
