Olivia Munn and John Mulaney have their routine down.
The couple—who share son Malcolm, 2, and Méi June, 2 months—recently got candid about John’s history of addiction, shedding light on how it affected the beginning of their relationship, as well as the steps they take to keep him on track.
For Olivia—who said she and John “barely knew each other” when she became pregnant with Malcolm in 2021, shortly after he ended his second stay in rehab—she had to navigate the sobriety journey of someone she was only just starting to get to know, but with whom her life would forever be intertwined.
“I was watching someone newly sober, at the edge of a cliff,” she said in an interview the couple did with GQ, published Nov. 12, noting John admitted to her he was worried he would relapse. “And I didn’t know him well enough to help him.”
Yet, his worries were never about the baby they were expecting together. “That’s the one thing that made him seem light and happy,” she added. “I remember he was really excited to tell his parents.”
The 44-year-old also reflected on watching John perform at this time. “In my head, I’m thinking, I don’t know really what’s happening with this guy. It feels pretty shaky,” she admitted. “But then I would see him at the Troubadour and be like, ‘Man, he’s on fire. He’s just that phenomenal.’”
So to help him on his journey, Olivia staged a mini-intervention when she was six months pregnant and their personal relationship was still a massive TBD (it wasn’t until a month later they’d decide to raise Malcolm as a couple). At this time, it was decided Olivia would give John random drug tests—a practice the now-married couple has maintained.
For John, it’s a welcome reminder. “It’s like a relief,” he explained. “I like to be able to not even have that be a question in her or anyone else’s mind. Something about peeing in that cup is like, I’m walking this walk. It gives me confidence.”
But navigating life together as a couple wasn’t always a given. In fact, when Olivia became pregnant with what would become Malcolm and the pair decided they would have the baby together, something romantic was never a given.
As Olivia explained of that time, “It wasn’t necessarily, ‘We’re going to be married and live together,’ or any of that, but it was, ‘I will be involved in some way.’”
Even though the pair spent much of Olivia’s pregnancy on separate coasts—the Newsroom actress in Los Angeles and the comedian in New York—by the time they welcomed Malcolm, it was as a couple.
And now, with two children between them and a wedding making them husband and wife, the family of four is enjoying the quiet life together in California—and is enjoying seeing Malcolm adapt to life as a West Coast kid as much as John is adapting as an adult.
“His hair curls in the California air,” he said. “When we’re in Chicago, he has straight little John Mulaney hair. Until my late 20s, Malibu was a funny word to me. It was like saying Zanzibar.”
For more of John and Olivia’s best family moments, keep reading.
Welcome Méi
On Sept. 22, 2024, Olivia Munn and John Mulaney announced they had welcomed their second child, daughter Méi June Mulaney, via surrogate one week prior.
Baby Girl
Olivia and John shares several pics in their birth announcement for their baby girl, including this sweet photo of the three in the hospital.
Mother of Two
As part of her birth announcement for baby Méi, Olivia shared this pic of the two enjoying a sweet moment.
Family of Four
Méi joins big brother Malcolm, who was born in 2021. After her birth, Olivia and John shared pics of one of their first outings as a foursome.
Baby Bliss
Olivia also shared this pic of newborn Méi catching some zzz's.
Time to Celebrate
John and Olivia celebrated Malcolm's second birthday in November 2023.
Way to Go, Idaho
The parents took Malcolm to the Gem State in June 2023.
Little Moments
Olivia shared this photo of her family of three on Father's Day 2023.
Life's a Beach
John and Olivia hit the beach with Malcolm in March 2023.
Let Them Eat Cake
The couple rang in theirMalcolm's first birthday in November 2022, with Olivia joking that her mom Kim was getting "impatient" with the cake-cutting.
Making Memories
John celebrated his 40th birthday with Olivia and Malcolm in August 2022.
Doting Dad
Olivia snapped a sweet moment between John and their son on stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado in April 2022.
New Parent Pals
The family of three posed alongside fellow parents Dan Levy and Rachel Specter with their daughter Penny.
4 Months
Olivia and John celebrated Malcolm turning 4 months old on March 24, 2022.
Birthday Boy
"Daddy" John cuddled with Malcolm on his 4-month birthdate before heading out to Texas.
Mommy & Me
The actress shared, "It's been 4 months since the happiest, chillest baby came into my world."
Love at First Sight
John peered over at his baby boy in this throwback photo from his birth. The comedian wrote in March 2022, "Four months ago I met a 6 lb boy who changed my life forever."
Boys Reunited
Olivia captioned this adorable embrace with a teddy bear emoji.
In the Family
Olivia shared a pic of Malcolm with his grandma a.k.a. the "retired tiger mom."
"Buttered Biscuit"
Olivia gushed over her baby boy.
Baby Playdate
Olivia and John introduced Malcolm to friends Henry Golding and Liv Lo Golding, as well as the couple's daughter Lyla, in January 2022.
Dads on Duty
John and Henry were seen laughing as they held up their tiny tots.
New Moms
The friends snapped a selfie while introducing their babies.
First Friends
As Olivia wrote, "Malcolm met Lyla today."
Sweater Weather
Olivia and John were pictured arm-in-arm during a sweet moment, seemingly gazing at their little one in January 2022.
A Visit From Uncle Pete
"Uncle" Pete Davidson visited Malcolm in January 2022.
Baby Kisses
John gave his son a kiss on the cheek.
Shhh!
Malcolm fell asleep in dad's carrier during an outing at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, Calif.
New Year Together
The Newsroom actress celebrated New Year's Day 2022 with a new pic of Malcolm.
A Walk With Dad
John shared a selfie with his Malcolm, kept cozy in a blue beanie, while they took a walk.