Rob McElhenney, the beloved star of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’, gave his fans quite the shock with a revisit to some of his most memorable moments of 2023, including an intense allergic reaction – or so it seemed.
As he looked back on his year on New Year’s Eve, one particular photo left fans and followers stunned. The image showed Rob with a dramatically swollen face, to the extent that he was nearly unrecognizable. The severity of the swelling made his face appear almost monstrous, with the right side of his face severely inflated, his lips grotesquely enlarged, and his eyes completely shut.
Posting on social media, the co-owner of Wrexham AFC casually mentioned the photo, writing: ‘Aside from that slight allergic reaction to the nuts, 2023 was one of the best years of my life.’ This startling selfie, accompanied by a heartfelt caption, had fans and fellow celebrities reeling in disbelief.
Actress Mindy Kaling humorously commented, ‘Rob this made me almost drop my phone. My son screamed.’ The reactions didn’t stop there, as numerous followers expressed their shock, wondering if the photo was a result of special effects makeup or reality.
However, it turns out the panic was all for naught. The alarming look was the result of prosthetics, used in the latest season of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’. The behind-the-scenes photo was taken during the filming of season 16, in an episode where Rob’s character, Mac, experiences a severe peanut allergy that drastically transforms his appearance.
The episode featured Mac with progressively worsening facial disfigurement due to the allergy, showcasing the incredible skills of the show’s makeup team. Their expertise in creating such a realistic allergic reaction is a testament to their talent, leading to calls for their recognition and appreciation.
In his year-end post, Rob also shared glimpses of other highlights from his year, including casual selfies with major celebrities, further emphasizing the varied and exciting experiences he had throughout 2023.
