Actor Biography

Ed O'Neill's starring role as the patriarch on Modern Family has garnered him three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, O'Neill attended Ohio University in Athens, OH, and Youngstown State University. Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was cut in training camp and worked as a social studies teacher before becoming an actor. He has appeared in a number of movies, including The Bone Collector, Little Giants, Dutch, Wayne's World, Finding Dory, Sun Dogs, and several films for Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter David Mamet including The Spanish Prisoner, Spartan and the indie film Redbelt. His television credits include the long-running sitcom Married with Children, Dragnet, The West Wing, Big Apple and John from Cincinnati. O'Neill also had stints on Broadway, starring in the productions Lakeboat and Keep Your Pantheon.