Timothy Olyphant has been stealing every scene inStickas Clark Ross, the smug yet magnetic adversary to Owen Wilson’s Pryce Cahill. Clark’s blend of faux humility and sharp-tongued arrogance has made him one of the standout characters in Apple TV+’s most buzzed-about 2025 hit. Whether he’s undercutting Pryce’s big ideas or delivering a perfect one-liner with that signature smirk, Olyphant brings a chaotic edge to the series’ polished world. It’s a performance that feels both completely fresh and entirely in line with his long-running habit of turning every supporting role into a highlight.
However,Stickhas done something else too - it’s reminded viewers justhow good Timothy Olyphant can bein a full-on comedy. His deadpan timing and surprising vulnerability have long been part of his dramatic arsenal, but when he leans into humor, it’s something special. That’s why anyone enjoying him as Clark inStickshould absolutely track down the Netflix original he starred in from 2017 to 2019. Not only is it one of the funniest genre mashups of the streaming era, but it also features one of Olyphant’s most underrated performances - his turn as Joel Hammond inSanta Clarita Diet.
Santa Clarita Diet Mixes Zombies And Suburbia With Timothy Olyphant’s Funniest Performance
BeforeStick, Timothy Olyphant spent threegloriously unhinged seasons playing Joel Hammond, a mild-mannered real estate agent trying to keep things “normal” after his wife becomes undead and starts craving human flesh.Santa Clarita Dietpremiered on Netflix in 2017 and quickly carved out a cult following thanks to its bizarre premise, gory visuals, and razor-sharp humor. Olyphant stars opposite Drew Barrymore, who plays Sheila Hammond, a cheery suburban mom who suddenly finds herself transformed into a literal zombie with an insatiable hunger.
What makes Olyphant so memorable here is how hilariously normal Joel is.
The brilliance ofSanta Clarita Dietlies in how it grounds all the horror in the banal day-to-day reality of suburban life. Joel and Sheila still have to deal with nosy neighbors, PTA meetings, and their teenage daughter’s homework - except now they’re also hiding corpses in the freezer and trying to figure out how to kill Nazis without alerting the HOA. Timothy Olyphant’sJoel is the emotional anchor of the show, often fraying at the edges as he tries to stay supportive while losing his grip on reality.
What makes Olyphant so memorable here is how hilariously normal Joel is. He’s not a hero or like characters in other zombie shows likeThe Last Of UsorThe Walking Dead.He’s just a guy who wants to support his wife, hold his marriage together, and maybe sell a few houses along the way. Olyphant plays every freak-out and every moment of forced calm with pitch-perfect timing, making Joel both relatable and absurd. His chemistry with Barrymore is electric, but it’s his slow-burn unraveling that keeps the laughs coming. If you’ve only seen him play cowboys or government agents,Santa Clarita Dietshows a whole new - and hilarious - side of Timothy Olyphant.
Santa Clarita Diet Proves That Timothy Olyphant Needs To Do More Comedy
Olyphant’s Performance In Santa Clarita Diet Is Comedic Gold And Deserves More Recognition
There’s a good reasonSanta Clarita Dietkeeps getting rediscovered by new fans - it’s funny, weird, and above all, packed with standout performances. While Drew Barrymore is phenomenal as theupbeat, flesh-eating Sheila, it’s Timothy Olyphant who ends up stealing the show more often than not. As Joel spirals into existential panic while trying to remain upbeat for his wife and daughter, Olyphant finds a sweet spot between dry sarcasm and full-blown slapstick that few actors can pull off this well.
The same sharp wit and controlled chaos that he brings to Clark inStickis fully unleashed inSanta Clarita Diet.
Olyphant’s comedic chops areespecially surprising given his more famous roles in dramatic shows likeJustifiedandDeadwood. However, inSanta Clarita Diet, he proves he’s got range far beyond grim lawmen and steely-eyed antiheroes. His physical comedy is on point - whether he’s awkwardly disposing of a body or screaming at a blender full of human remains - and his reactions to the chaos around him are always gold. It’s the kind of performance that’s so tightly controlled and subtly deranged that you end up laughing out loud just from his facial expressions.
The same sharp wit and controlled chaos thathe brings to Clark inStickis fully unleashed inSanta Clarita Diet. In both shows, Timothy Olyphant leans into absurdity without ever breaking character, making every moment feel grounded, even when the world around him is completely insane. If anything, these two roles prove that he needs to take on comedy more often. His ability to balance pathos, timing, and total meltdown makes him one of the funniest dramatic actors working today, and it’s about time he got more recognition for it.
Why Santa Clarita Diet Was Cancelled After Three Seasons
Netflix Pulled The Plug Despite Strong Reviews And A Passionate Fanbase
Despite its cult status and critical acclaim,Santa Clarita Dietwas unceremoniously canceled by Netflix in 2019 after three seasons. The decision shocked fans and critics alike, especially since the season 3 finale ended on a major cliffhanger involving Sheila preparing to turn Joel into a zombie so they could be together forever. The series was one of the most inventive - and funniest - entries in the zombie genre, and many expected it to continue, especially with a cast as beloved asTimothy Olyphant and Drew Barrymore.
According to aDeadlinereport from April 2019,Netflix’s cancellation came down to financial decisions. The streamer had begun shifting its strategy around that time, leaning away from long-running series in favor of shorter, more cost-effective originals. Since Netflix ownsSanta Clarita Diet, there were no licensing fees, but costs typically rise for shows with each new season. This was part of a larger trend at the time, with several mid-tier shows being axed despite decent performance and loyal audiences.
The backlash was immediate. Fans launched campaigns and petitions demanding season 4, and cast members - Olyphant included - expressed disappointment at not being able to continue the story. The fact that the series had developed a steady fanbase, and that Timothy Olyphant was delivering some of the best comedic work of his career, made the cancellation even more frustrating. Still, while it’s a shame the story didn’t get a proper ending,Santa Clarita Dietremains a must-watch. What’s more, thanks toStick, even more viewers are discovering (or rediscovering) just how good Timothy Olyphant is when he’s allowed to cut loose and be funny.
Stick
Cast
A disgraced golf pro seeks redemption by mentoring a troubled teen prodigy, igniting a journey of healing and second chances.
Santa Clarita Diet
Joel and Sheila Hammond live a typical life as real estate agents in Santa Clarita, California, but all that changes when Sheila becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh. This horror comedy stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant and lasted for a total of three seasons before being canceled in April 2019.
