Rob McElhenney, the star and creator of the comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, shocked his fans with a photo of his swollen face on Instagram. He revealed that he had an allergic reaction to a mango, which caused his face to puff up. He also joked that he did not have any plastic surgery, and that he was fine after taking some medication.
Who is Rob McElhenney?
Rob McElhenney is an American actor, writer, producer, and director, best known for his role as Mac on the FX/FXX sitcom “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”. He is also the creator and executive producer of the show, which has been running since 2005 and is one of the longest-running live-action comedy series in American television history. McElhenney has also appeared in other films and shows, such as “Lost”, “Fargo”, “The Mindy Project”, and “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet”.
What Happened to Rob McElhenney’s Face?
Unrecognizable photo causing a buzz
On March 31, 2024, McElhenney posted a selfie on his Instagram account, showing his face swollen and distorted. He captioned the photo with “I guess I’m allergic to mangoes?”, followed by a shrug emoji. The photo quickly went viral, as fans and followers expressed their shock and concern over his appearance. Some of them commented that they did not recognize him at first, and that they hoped he was okay.
Rumors of plastic surgery
The photo also sparked some rumors that McElhenney had undergone plastic surgery, and that the swelling was a result of a botched procedure. Some people speculated that he had done something to his nose, lips, or cheeks, and that he was trying to cover it up with a joke. Some media outlets also picked up on the story, and questioned whether McElhenney had altered his face.
His reaction and explanation
McElhenney responded to the rumors and the curiosity of his fans by posting another photo on his Instagram story, showing his face back to normal. He wrote “All better. Thanks for your concern. I appreciate it. Also, I did not have any plastic surgery. Unless you count mangoes as plastic. Which I do.” He also explained that he had eaten a mango for the first time in his life, and that he had a severe allergic reaction to it. He said that he took some antihistamines and steroids, and that he was fine after a few hours.
Other Similar Cases in Hollywood
McElhenney is not the only celebrity who has faced rumors of plastic surgery after showing a different look. There have been many cases in Hollywood where stars have been accused of going under the knife, either to enhance their features or to reverse the signs of aging. Some of these cases are:
- Renee Zellweger: The actress, who rose to fame with her roles in “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “Jerry Maguire”, shocked the public with her appearance at the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards in 2014. She looked almost unrecognizable, with a smoother forehead, smaller eyes, and a thinner face. Many people speculated that she had done some major work on her face, such as a facelift, eyelid surgery, or botox injections. Zellweger denied the rumors, and said that she was happy with her appearance, and that she had made some healthy changes in her lifestyle.
- Mickey Rourke: The actor, who was once considered a heartthrob for his roles in “9 1/2 Weeks” and “Angel Heart”, underwent a drastic transformation in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He suffered from several injuries during his boxing career, which damaged his face and required multiple surgeries to repair. He also admitted to having some cosmetic procedures, such as a nose job and cheek implants, to improve his looks. However, the results were not very flattering, and he ended up looking very different from his former self.
- Meg Ryan: The actress, who was known for her roles in romantic comedies such as “When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle”, also faced criticism for her changing appearance in the 2000s. She appeared to have fuller lips, a tighter face, and a different nose, which many people attributed to plastic surgery. Ryan never confirmed or denied the rumors, but she said that she was not bothered by them, and that she was happy with her life.
Conclusion
Rob McElhenney’s swollen face was a result of an allergic reaction to a mango, and not a plastic surgery gone wrong. He recovered quickly, and made light of the situation with his humor. He is not the first, nor the last, celebrity to face speculation and scrutiny over his appearance, as Hollywood is a place where beauty and youth are highly valued. However, he has shown that he is comfortable and confident with his looks, and that he does not let the rumors affect him.
