Not Ed O’Neill, this Young Sheldon star was the first choice to play Jay Pritchett in Modern Family

Modern Family fans almost can’t imagine anyone but Ed O’Neill in the role of Jay Pritchett. The fan-favorite grandpa showcases immense character development over the 11-season journey of the sitcom, with O’Neill acing the performance.

However, the veteran actor was not the first choice to play Jay Pritchett. Instead, Modern Family creators first offered the role to Craig T. Nelson, who is known for playing Dale Ballard in Young Sheldon and Hayden Fox in Coach.

When the deal fell through, the makers went to their other choice: Ed O’Neill, who gladly accepted the opportunity. He enjoyed working on the sitcom so much that he later revealed that he would have played Jay Pritchett for free.

Craig T. Nelson almost played Jay Pritchett in Modern Family

When Modern Family creators started the casting process, both Craig T. Nelson and Ed O’Neill were the frontrunners for the role of the patriarch Jay Pritchett. The producers were so confused between the two that they decided to toss a coin, which made them offer the show to Nelson first.

However, the actor did not agree on the financial aspect of the deal and hence, rejected the offer. Casting director Jeff Greenberg revealed in an interview with E! Online in 2013:

“They couldn't really decide between Craig and Ed. They're both wonderful comic actors. [We] chose Craig T. Nelson. And so the first offer went out to Craig, and we couldn't make a deal. He wanted to do it, but financially we were just too apart.”

O'Neill also talked about his perspective on the scenario in the same interview and said he was willing to be a part of Modern Family the moment he read the script, but his agent informed him that the makers wanted to cast Nelson.

“When I read it I thought, ‘Oh boy, this is pretty good. And I called my manager and he said, ‘Well, they're out to Craig T. Nelson.’ About a week later, they called and said, ‘We're back to you.’ So I said, ‘Make the deal.’”

Seven years later, author Marc Freeman released his book, Modern Family: The Untold Oral History of One of Television’s Groundbreaking Sitcoms, which talked in detail about the Nelson and O’Neill casting situation.

As per the book, series co-creator Steven Levitan revealed that finance was not the only issue with Nelson; in fact, they got to know that the actor was ‘a bit difficult on set.’ On the other hand, they heard good things about O’Neill and decided to cast him in the role.

“There was a lack of self-awareness there and compassion that worried us. Meanwhile, all we kept hearing is that Ed O’Neill is the nicest person on the planet. We decided to pull the offer and go to Ed.”

In the book, O’Neill revealed that his agent was a bit apprehensive about him joining Modern Family, as it was an ensemble show, but the actor said that it is what made the project even more interesting. Co-creator Christopher Lloyd quoted O’Neill as saying:

“Chris, this is the best job I’ve ever had. I would have done it for free. Don’t tell my agent, but I would have taken this job for free.”

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O’Neill then went on to star in the acclaimed sitcom in 2009 and remained a part of it till its conclusion in 2020. The role earned him three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Modern Family is available to stream on Hulu and Peacock.

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