Ken Olin, the beloved former Thirtysomething star, doesn’t look all that much like he did on the hit ’80s show. However, it’s safe to say he’s having the time of his life in grandparenthood.
Olin, 71, rose to fame in the role of Michael Steadman alongside actors Mel Harris, Polly Draper, Peter Horton, Patricia Wettig, Melanie Mayron, and Timothy Busfield in the ensemble series Thirtysomething, which ran from 1987 to 1991 on ABC. His character was a staple of the series, serving as a steadying force throughout its run. Michael was married to Hope, played by Harris, and the duo navigated parenthood and careers in classic ’80s style.
Flash forward to 2026, and Olin is still a staple of the entertainment industry, but he’s also embracing grandparenthood with ease. Sporting long gray hair and a white beard, the actor, director, and producer shared a sweet photo of himself cuddling a bulldog puppy alongside his grandson.
“Elvis got a puppy,” Olin captioned the sweet photo. Eagle-eyed fans who check out the comments will notice that Olin’s Thirtysomething co-star and onscreen wife, Mel Harris, chimed in with “Does Elvis’s puppy have a name, Grandpa?” It’s great to see they’re still friends after all these years!
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Olin is Married to His Thirtysomething Co-star, Patricia Wettig
While she didn’t play his wife onscreen, Olin has been happily married to his Thirtysomething co-star, Patricia Wettig, since 1982. On Valentine’s Day this year, Olin shared a sweet story about the day the couple met.
“The day we met I played this song for her; ‘We Belong Together’ by @rickieleejones_ . We’ve been together ever since. Yep. I had game then. Happy Valentine’s Day sweetie. And Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone who has love in their heart. @pwettig2,” he captioned a black-and-white throwback photo of the duo, who have two children together.
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What is Ken Olin Up to These Days?
After Thirtysomething concluded in 1991, Olin expanded his career tremendously behind the camera, working on shows including Alias, Brothers & Sisters, and This is Us. While he certainly kept acting, his work is largely done in the realm of producing and directing these days. Most recently, he’s worked as a director on Tracker, the popular action drama series.
Related: ‘Thirtysomething’ Star Mel Harris, 69, Looks Better Than Ever With Gray Hair While Cooking on Her Farm