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Modern Familyis an ensemble show but with the range of actors and characters included in the story, we can’t deny the fact that some pulled more weight than others. An argument can be made here that supports why some were paid more than others on the show.
From Sofia Vergara’s Colombian energy to Claire and Phil’s parenting escapades,Modern Familycontinues to be a blast for viewers. But who exactly makes it more interesting to watch and adds to the enduring quality of the sitcom that very few have been able to match? It’s not Vergara, we can tell you that. Read on to know who’s the real MVP ofModern Family.
Jay Pritchett and his range of emotions onModern Family
The supposedly tough and cold patriarch of the Pritchett family was truly a softy at heart. Nobody can deny the range of emotions and layered portrayals Jay Pritchett brought to the table. ActorEd O’Neillwas the highest-paid actor on the show in the beginning, and rightfully so. Not just because of his experience in television, but also because of his varied skills that made every scene he was in a delight.
Even thoughModern Familywas a quintessential sitcom, Jay never shied away from tapping into some raw and authentic feelings that tugged at viewers’ heartstrings. He was initially portrayed as a macho male who refuses to show his soft side to his family, but slowly,Jay opened upand began sharing more with his kids.
The one scene thatRedditorsagree made him a standout actor is where the adult couples are undergoing a therapy session to get in touch with their feelings. Jay loses his calm after a point and goes on a rant that ends on a subtle note wherehe wishes he told his fatherhow much he meant to him.
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Sure, the other actors including Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler-Ferguson, and Eric Stonestreet were great, but the way O’Neill carried the show was on another level. He did not just connect with the audience but became the poster boy for every Boomer dad who has had a tough time opening up to his family. The struggle is real especially when you have grown up to phrases like be a man and be tough.
How much was Ed O’Neill paid forModern Family?
TheMarried… With Childrenstar was the highest-paid actor onModern Family.Being the most experienced and a big name in the industry at the time, O’Neill commanded a higher salary at first which was later renegotiated as all adult actors reached a standard pay scale. He was cast ataround$95,000 per episode with a stake from the show’s profits as well.
By the last season, all the central adult actors were earning a standard sum of$500,000 per episode,which might have been more for O’Neill as well but the entire cast rallied for equal pay.
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His skill and talent are certainly unmatched in the industry and further prove why he truly is the one who madeModern Familyone of the greatest sitcoms ever.
Modern Familyis streaming on Hulu.
Vidhi Narula
Content Editor / Reviewer
Articles Published :36
With over 4 years of content writing experience, Vidhi is adept at creating articles in entertainment, lifestyle, finance, travel, and culinary spaces. She has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication that helped her understand the intricacies of news writing and reporting. Vidhi’s work has been published on numerous platforms from Collider and The Cinemaholics to The Statesman and Nomadic Road.
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Ed O’NeillModern Family
