Olivia Munn

Olivia Munn Welcomes Second Child with Husband John Mulaney

Olivia Munn, the acclaimed actor, has announced the birth of her second child with husband, comedian John Mulaney. In an Instagram post shared on September 22, Munn revealed that their daughter, Méi June Mulaney, was born via surrogate on September 14.

Munn, 44, had been diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023 and underwent a double mastectomy and partial hysterectomy as part of her treatment. Before her surgeries, she chose to freeze her eggs, allowing her and Mulaney to expand their family. The couple, who married in July 2024, are also parents to a two-year-old son, Malcolm Hiệp Mulaney.

In her emotional post, Munn expressed her deep gratitude to the surrogate, whom she referred to as “a real-life angel,” saying, “Words cannot express my gratitude that she kept our baby safe for 9 months and made our dreams come true.” Munn also shared that their daughter’s name, Méi, pronounced ‘May,’ means plum in Chinese. She continued, “I am so proud of my little plum, my little dragon, for making the journey to be with us. My heart has exploded.”

Munn’s message reflects both her joy and the challenges she has faced, as she embraces this new chapter in her life.

Who Is Olivia Munn?

Olivia Munn is a versatile American actress and former television host, best known for her roles in both television and film, including The Newsroom, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Magic Mike. Born in Oklahoma, Munn spent her early years in Tokyo before returning to the United States during her teenage years. Although she initially pursued a career in broadcast journalism, her passion for acting led her to transition into the entertainment industry. She gained early recognition as a host on Attack of the Show! and later as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Munn’s breakout role came as Sloane Sabbith in the acclaimed HBO series The Newsroom, followed by notable film performances, including her portrayal of the mutant Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse. In addition to her acting career, Munn is an outspoken activist, advocating for various causes. She is married to comedian John Mulaney, with whom she has two children.

Early Life

Lisa Olivia Munn was born on July 3, 1980, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to an American father and a Vietnamese-born mother of Chinese descent. At the age of two, her mother, Kim, remarried an American Air Force officer, which led the family to relocate to Tokyo, Japan. Munn’s early years were challenging; she struggled with her stepfather and often felt out of place in her new environment. However, she found solace in watching American television shows and movies, while also experiencing moderate success in Tokyo’s modeling industry.

At 16, Munn returned to Oklahoma, where she again felt disconnected from her peers. She eventually found her niche among a group of video gamers and tech enthusiasts, a demographic that would later become part of her audience during her time on Attack of the Show. Munn went on to attend the University of Oklahoma, where she majored in journalism and minored in Japanese and dramatic arts.

Her initial aspirations of pursuing acting directly after college were discouraged by her mother, leading her to spend a year working at the assignments desk of KJRH-TV in Tulsa. She later transitioned to sports reporting, serving as a sideline reporter for Fox Sports Net, covering college football and women’s basketball. Despite her efforts, Munn struggled to feel at ease in the role.

Movies

Munn began her Hollywood career in a series of lesser-known films, including Scarecrow Gone Wild (2004) and The Road to Canyon Lake (2005). Her first significant opportunity came in Rob Schneider’s Big Stan (2007), where she worked alongside established industry figures. She followed this with a role in the Broken Lizard comedy The Slammin’ Salmon (2009). Munn continued to secure minor roles in larger films, appearing in Date Night (2010) and Iron Man 2 (2010), before landing a supporting role in I Don’t Know How She Does It (2011) alongside Sarah Jessica Parker.

Career Highlights from Magic Mike to The Predator

Magic Mike (2012) marked a turning point for Olivia Munn, as she portrayed the girlfriend of Channing Tatum’s titular character. Her role allowed her to stand out by showcasing both her intelligence and allure. That same year, she reunited with the Broken Lizard comedy troupe for The Babymakers and Freeloaders. Munn then ventured into horror with Deliver Us From Evil (2014), starring alongside Eric Bana.

In 2015, after the underwhelming heist comedy Mortdecai, Munn opted for a safer choice in the action-comedy Ride Along 2 (2016), where she played Detective Maya Cruz. The film, co-starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, was a box office success.

Superhero Debut and Franchise Work

2016 also marked Munn’s foray into the superhero genre with her role as Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse. As the telekinetic mutant, Munn showcased her physical prowess, undergoing intense martial arts and sword training. Following this, she appeared in the ensemble comedy Office Christmas Party (2016) and lent her voice to The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017), poking fun at the supervillain trope by playing Koko, the ex-wife of an evil warlord.

Ocean’s 8 and The Predator

In 2018, Munn made a cameo in Ocean’s 8, the all-female spinoff of the popular heist series. Later that year, she co-starred in The Predator as a scientist who teams up with the military to eliminate alien hunters. Munn found herself at the center of controversy before the film’s release when she informed Twentieth Century Fox that a fellow actor in The Predator, Steven Wilder Striegel, was a registered sex offender. Fox responded by cutting his scene from the film.

Recent Roles and Return to Comedy

Munn returned to comedy with Buddy Games (2019), a film written, directed by, and starring Josh Duhamel. She followed this with Netflix’s Love Wedding Repeat (2020), in which she played the love interest of Sam Claflin. In 2021, she took on the lead role in Violet, portraying a woman struggling to find herself. Munn’s versatility shone again in the action drama The Gateway (2021), marking a return to the genre that showcased her range as an actor.

Olivia Munn’s Rise to Television Fame: From Attack of the Show to The Daily Show

Olivia Munn’s television career began gaining momentum in 2006 with her role in the surfer drama Beyond the Break. However, it was her time as co-host on G4’s Attack of the Show that truly launched her into the spotlight. The program, which celebrated geek culture, allowed Munn to connect with a dedicated audience of video game enthusiasts and comic book fans. Her willingness to participate in playful, cosplay segments as characters like Princess Leia and Wonder Woman helped solidify her appeal among the show’s largely young, male fanbase.

During this period, Munn also earned a recurring role on the college drama Greek and made appearances in other popular series such as Chuck. In 2010, as her tenure on Attack of the Show neared its end, she took on a new role as the “Senior Asian Correspondent” on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show. Though brief, this stint allowed Munn to showcase her wit and comedic timing to a broader and more influential audience.

In early 2011, Munn ventured into sitcom territory with Perfect Couples, though the show was short-lived and ended after one season. Despite this, her growing versatility as an actress continued to open doors, setting the stage for future roles.

The Newsroom: A Shift in Focus

In 2012, Olivia Munn made a notable career pivot, leaving behind her TV host persona and modeling to take on a more serious role in HBO’s The Newsroom. Starring alongside Jeff Daniels, who earned an Emmy for his portrayal of news anchor Will McAvoy, Munn played financial analyst Sloan Sabbith. Her character stood out for her sharp economic expertise, social awkwardness, and blunt demeanor. By the show’s third and final season, Munn’s role expanded significantly, demonstrating her skill in delivering high-stakes dialogue. Drawing from her own early experiences in journalism, Munn infused her performance with authenticity, stating, “It wasn’t just imitating Diane Sawyer or Anderson Cooper—I knew how the sausage got made, so I could bring that knowledge to the table.”

New Girl and Voice Acting in Miles from Tomorrowland

Amid her work on The Newsroom, Munn took on other notable projects, including a three-episode arc as Nick’s girlfriend on New Girl. Her growing star power led to guest judging roles on Project Runway and America’s Got Talent, as well as hosting the Critics’ Choice Awards in 2018.

Around the same time, Munn was also involved in voice acting, portraying Phoebe Callisto on Disney Junior’s Miles from Tomorrowland. Starting in 2015, she was a key character in the first two seasons and made a final appearance in the series finale. In 2018, Munn transitioned to action drama, joining the cast of Six on History Channel, where she played Gina Cline, a high-ranking CIA operative, in all 10 episodes of Season 2.

Recent TV Roles

Munn’s more recent television work includes starring in the limited series The Rook (2019) and lending her voice to Marvel’s animated series Hit-Monkey, which has a second season in development. In 2022, she made appearances in Tales of the Walking Dead and Inside Amy Schumer, continuing to diversify her portfolio across genres.

Husband John Mulaney and Children

Olivia Munn has been married to comedian John Mulaney since July 2024. The couple, who began their relationship in 2021, now share two children together.

In September 2021, Mulaney publicly confirmed that they were expecting their first child, and in November of that year, Munn gave birth to their son, Malcolm. In September 2024, their daughter, Méi, was born via surrogate. Munn had undergone a partial hysterectomy as part of her breast cancer treatment, which prevented her from carrying a second pregnancy.

When Munn announced her breast cancer diagnosis in March 2024, she expressed deep gratitude for Mulaney’s support during her health journey. In an emotional Instagram post, she shared, “I’m so thankful to John for the nights he spent researching every operation, medication, and what side effects and recovery I could expect.” She further described how Mulaney was present before and after every surgery, even placing framed photos of their son Malcolm beside her hospital bed, so that his face would be the first thing she saw when she woke up.

Before her relationship with Mulaney, Munn was in the public eye for her high-profile relationships, including a two-year relationship with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which ended in 2017. She also dated actor Joel Kinnaman and was linked to stars like Chris Pine and Matthew Morrison.

Breast Cancer Journey

In March 2024, Munn shared that she had been diagnosed with Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Her diagnosis in April 2023 came as a shock, as she had a normal mammogram just months earlier, and genetic testing conducted in February 2023 showed no cancer-related genes. The cancer was detected after her OB-GYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, calculated Munn’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score, a decision that Munn credits with saving her life.

Following the diagnosis, Munn underwent a double mastectomy, one of four surgeries within a span of 10 months. She has been receiving treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California. Munn explained that she delayed sharing the news publicly, stating, “I needed to catch my breath and get through some of the hardest parts before sharing.”

Encouraging women to advocate for their health, Munn advised others to ask their doctors about Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Scores and to seek additional screenings as needed. In September 2024, she updated her followers via Instagram, sharing that she was doing “okay” and had started a new medication in August.

Activism

Munn has long been vocal about important social issues, starting with her 2010 memoir Suck it, Wonder Woman!: The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek. Through her humor, the book candidly discussed her experiences in Hollywood, including the then-hidden issue of sexual misconduct. In November 2017, Munn, along with five other women, accused director Brett Ratner of sexual assault, revealing him as the unnamed figure in her memoir. Munn emphasized, “I shouldn’t have to be completely broken, battered, and devalued in order to prove that he crossed a line.” Her essay in Entertainment Weekly argued for systemic change in Hollywood to stop protecting abusive men like Ratner and Harvey Weinstein.

Munn’s activism extended to the Time’s Up movement, where she helped establish a legal fund to support harassment victims and pushed for legislative action to promote workplace equality. Her dedication was recognized in 2018 when she was honored at the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Hero Awards and became the first recipient of the Voice for Justice Award by the University of Oklahoma.

Her activism continued in 2021 when she became a strong advocate for the Stop Asian Hate movement. In an Instagram post, she condemned the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, expressing her solidarity with the Asian American community. Munn used her platform to raise awareness, joining The Asian American Fund at the White House when President Joe Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law. Since then, she has remained outspoken, using her influence to combat racism and promote justice for marginalized communities.

Production and Investment Ventures

In addition to her acting career, Olivia Munn has ventured into the production side of the entertainment industry. She entered into a production agreement with CBS TV Studios, showcasing her commitment to developing meaningful content. One of her notable early projects includes a series centered around a pioneering female sports broadcaster navigating her career amidst the challenges of sexism and the rigid social norms of the 1970s.

Beyond production, Munn has also demonstrated a keen interest in investing. She was an early investor in Uber, recognizing its potential in the rapidly evolving ridesharing market. Additionally, she invested in Chef’s Cut Real Jerky after discovering its quality, likening the product to “steak in a bag.” These ventures highlight her entrepreneurial spirit and ability to identify promising opportunities in both the entertainment and business sectors.