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Ty Burrell’s Audition Struggles: How He Went From Rejected to TV’s Funniest Dad
Apr
A Rough First Impression
Before Ty Burrell became one of television’s most iconic comedy dads as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, he faced an unexpected and disheartening hurdle: he bombed his initial audition. Speaking candidly in a podcast interview with co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Burrell revealed that his first test in front of ABC executives didn’t go well. He described his performance as “stiff” and lacking the comedic spark the network was looking for.
The verdict was brutally direct—ABC told the show’s creators that Burrell “was not funny.” For an actor trying to land a lead role in a comedy series, that kind of feedback could have easily ended his chances. But Burrell took it in stride, even joking about it years later, saying some people probably still agree with that assessment.
Creative Confidence: The Writers Had His Back
Despite the poor reception from the network, the co-creators of Modern Family, Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, were convinced that Burrell was the right fit for the role of Phil. They had actually written the character with him in mind. His dry wit, awkward timing, and sweet sincerity were exactly what they envisioned for the bumbling-yet-endearing Dunphy patriarch.
Knowing that the first audition hadn’t shown his full potential, the creators pushed for a second chance. It was a significant risk—advocating for an actor the network had just dismissed—but it proved that their creative instincts were stronger than first impressions. Sometimes, what the studio sees in a boardroom isn’t the same as what the audience will fall in love with on screen.
A Second Shot, a Backyard Breakthrough
Rather than repeating the formal audition process, the team decided to take a more relaxed approach. They filmed a screen test in Steven Levitan’s own backyard, this time pairing Burrell with Sarah Hyland, who would go on to play his daughter, Haley. This low-pressure environment allowed Burrell to showcase his strengths: improvisation, warmth, and spontaneous humor.
Burrell recalled this second chance fondly, noting that the ability to improvise alongside Hyland gave him the freedom to connect with the character. This informal, almost experimental audition captured the chemistry between the two actors and provided the authenticity that was missing from his earlier, more rigid performance. It wasn’t just about jokes—it was about finding Phil Dunphy’s humanity.
Winning Over the Network
The footage from the backyard screen test did exactly what Burrell’s first audition couldn’t—it convinced ABC executives that he was not only funny but perfect for the role. The change in tone, the natural rapport with Hyland, and the sheer relatability of the character sealed the deal. The performance wasn’t rehearsed to death; it was real, and it was hilarious.
Network executives who had previously written him off quickly changed their minds. What had once seemed like a lost opportunity turned into a defining moment in Burrell’s career. The second test was described internally as “magical” and “one of the funniest things” they had seen in a pilot audition. Just like that, the door that had nearly closed swung wide open.
A Legendary Turn: From Flop to Fan Favorite
Ty Burrell didn’t just get the role—he became the heart of the show. Over Modern Family’s 11-season run, his portrayal of Phil Dunphy captured the love of audiences across generations. He brought the character to life with warmth, goofiness, and surprising emotional depth. Phil wasn’t just comic relief; he was the dad everyone secretly wanted, full of awkward hugs, well-meaning mishaps, and relentless optimism.
Burrell went on to win two Emmy Awards for the role and helped make Modern Family one of the most successful sitcoms of the 21st century. Reflecting on his early missteps, it’s clear that what seemed like a rejection was simply a detour on the way to something extraordinary. His story is a testament to the importance of second chances and trusting the vision—even when the room doesn’t laugh the first time.
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