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Ty Burrell
Ty Burrell
Ty Burrell
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Tyler Gerald Burrell (born August 22, 1967) is an American actor. Burrell is best known for playing Phil Dunphy on the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020), for which he won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and five Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Key Information

Burrell also had starring roles on the television series Out of Practice (2005–2006) and Back to You (2007–2008), and acted in films such as Evolution, Black Hawk Down (both 2001), Dawn of the Dead (2004), The Incredible Hulk (2008), and Muppets Most Wanted (2014). He voiced characters in the animated films Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014), Finding Dory (2016), and Storks (2016). On stage, Burrell made his Broadway debut playing Lennox in the revival of the William Shakespeare play Macbeth (2000).

Early life and education

[edit]

Tyler Gerald Burrell was born in Grants Pass, Oregon, on August 22, 1967,[1][2] the son of teacher Sheri Rose (née Hauck) and family therapist Gary Gerald Burrell (1940–1989).[3][4][5][6] He has a younger brother, Duncan.[7] He is mostly of English and German descent, though he discovered via Finding Your Roots that he is also of 1/16th African-American ancestry through his great-great-grandmother, a formerly enslaved girl from Tennessee who became a homesteader in Oregon.[8] He grew up in Applegate, Oregon, near the California border.[9][10] He attended Hidden Valley High School[1] in Grants Pass, where he played football and was a lineman for the Hidden Valley Mustangs.

While attending college at the University of Oregon, Burrell became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity[11] and worked as a bartender at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.[9] He later attended Southern Oregon University in Ashland,[10] graduating with a bachelor's degree in theatre arts in 1993.[9] Fifteen years later, in 2008, he was the school's commencement speaker.[12]

Continuing his education at Penn State University, he earned an MFA and was a member of the Theatre 100 Company along with Keegan-Michael Key.[9][13][14] In 1997 and 1999, Burrell worked as a festival actor at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.[15] He has also stated that for a period of time in graduate school, he lived out of his van to save money.[16]

Career

[edit]

Burrell's first credited film roles were 2001's Evolution and Black Hawk Down. He subsequently appeared in the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, and in several stage roles (such as 2000's Broadway production of Macbeth, and the off-Broadway plays Corners, The Blue Demon, Burn This, and Show People).

He was a co writer and actor in the original production of the offbeat comedy The Red Herring O' Happiness directed by Russell Dyball. Burrell's stage work also includes writing and working in the off Broadway play Babble with his brother, Duncan. He has also made an appearance as a New Jersey prosecutor in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

After that, Burrell was cast as Oliver Barnes, a shallow but well meaning plastic surgeon, on the CBS sitcom Out of Practice (2005–06), also created by screenwriter Christopher Lloyd. The show was canceled in May 2006, with eight episodes remaining unaired in the United States. After the show's cancellation, he played Allan Arbus in the film Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus. In the same year, he also appeared in Friends with Money and The Darwin Awards, before playing one of the two leads in the world premiere of Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? by Caryl Churchill on stage at the Royal Court Theatre in London.[17]

In 2007, he had a small role in the film National Treasure: Book of Secrets as the curator of the White House followed by a starring role in the sitcom Back to You on Fox later that same year. On the show, created by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd, Burrell played a field reporter (alongside Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton). The show was canceled in 2008.

In the 2008 Marvel film adaptation of the comic The Incredible Hulk Burrell played Leonard Samson (without superpowers) who had a short relationship with Betty Ross.

He had a lead role as Realtor Phil Dunphy in the acclaimed ABC situation comedy Modern Family which was also created by Christopher Lloyd and Steve Levitan. For his performance, he received eight consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2010–2017), winning the award twice in 2011 and 2014.[18]

He also received nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for his role, sharing the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series with his co stars. He was the recipient of the individual SAG award in 2014, defeating Alec Baldwin, who had previously won the award seven years in a row.[19]

Burrell also appears as Phil in commercials for National Association of Realtors.[20]

In November 2014, Burrell signed an overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television to develop his own comedy projects.[21] In July 2020, his overall deal with 20th Century Fox continued with the establishment of his own production company, Desert Whale Productions.[22]

His web series Boondoggle, loosely based on Burrell's own life, debuted in June 2016 on ABC.com and ABCd.[23] He was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series in July 2017.[24]

Ventures and charity work

[edit]

Burrell owns The Eating Establishment, a restaurant in Park City, Utah, as well as two bars in Salt Lake City called Bar X and Beer Bar, located next to each other with interconnecting doors.[25]

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Salt Lake City's bars and restaurants in March 2020, Burrell and his wife used $100,000 of their own money to create Tip Your Server, a crowd-sourced online fund to help out-of-work wait staff in Utah, where they had previously kept their main residence.[26]

Personal life

[edit]
Burrell attending Los Angeles Rams' training camp in 2019

Burrell married his wife, Holly, on August 18, 2000. They resided in New York City until moving to Salt Lake City in 2008.[9][27] They still own a two-bedroom apartment in New York's Astoria neighborhood, which they rent out.[28] At one point, they relocated to Southern California for Burrell's work on Modern Family. In March 2010, Burrell said that they had adopted a baby girl[29] and another girl two years later.[30] Burrell and his family moved to Salt Lake City from Los Angeles after Modern Family ended in 2020. In an interview with People, he said that he has "no regrets" about moving his family there, as it is "a great place to raise the kids".[31]

Burrell is a self-described lifelong fan of the Oregon Ducks, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Mets, and the Los Angeles Rams.[32]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Evolution Colonel Flemming
Black Hawk Down Timothy A. Wilkinson
2004 Dawn of the Dead Steve Marcus
In Good Company Enrique Colon
2005 Down in the Valley Sheriff / Cowboy
2006 Friends with Money Other Aaron
The Darwin Awards Emile
Fur Allan Arbus
2007 National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets Connor
2008 The Incredible Hulk Dr. Leonard Samson [33][34]
2009 Leaves of Grass Professor Sorenson
2010 Fair Game Fred
Morning Glory Paul McVee
2011 Butter Bob Pickler
2012 Goats Frank Whitman
2014 The Skeleton Twins Rich Levitt
Mr. Peabody & Sherman Mr. Hector Peabody (voice) [35][36]
Muppets Most Wanted Jean Pierre Napoleon [37]
2016 Finding Dory Bailey (voice) [38][36]
Storks Henry Gardner (voice) [39][36]
2017 Rough Night Pietro

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2000, 2003 Law & Order Paul Donatelli Episode: "Turnstile Justice"
Herman Capshaw Episode: "Sheltered"
2001 The West Wing Tom Starks Episode: "The Women of Qumar"
2002 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Alan Messinger Episode: "Execution"
2003 Nip/Tuck "Big Mike" Episode: "Joel Gideon"
2005–2006 Out of Practice Dr. Oliver Barnes 21 episodes
2007 Lipshitz Saves the World Man in Red Episode: "Pilot"
2007–2008 Back to You Gary Crezyzewski 17 episodes
2008 Fourplay Christopher Episode: "Pilot"
2009 Damages Douglas Schiff 2 episodes
2009–2020 Modern Family Phil Dunphy Main role
2010–2011 The Super Hero Squad Show Captain Marvel (voice) 3 episodes[36]
Glenn Martin, DDS Mart-E (voice) 2 episodes
2012 Doc McStuffins Big Jack (voice) Episode: "Out of the Box"
2012–2014 Key & Peele Nazi Commander / Colonel Hans Müller 2 episodes
2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! Himself Episode: "Ty Burrell Wears a Chambray Shirt and Clear Frame Glasses"
The Penguins of Madagascar Parker (voice) Episode: "The Penguin Who Loved Me"
2016 Boondoggle Ty Main role; also writer
2017 Family Guy Himself Episode: "Emmy-Winning Episode"[40]
2020 A Modern Farewell Modern Family documentary
2020–2022 Duncanville Jack Harris (voice) Main role[41]

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1997 Henry V Gower Adams Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival [42]
1999 A Midsummer Night's Dream Oberon Adams Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival [43]
2000 Macbeth Lennox Music Box Theatre, Broadway [44]
2002 Burn This Burton Union Square Theatre, Off-Broadway [45]
2004 Richard III Henry Stafford The Public Theatre, Off-Broadway [46]
2006 Show People Tom Second Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway [47]
2006 Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? Sam Royal Court Theatre, London [17]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Organizations Year Category Work Result Ref.
Primetime Emmy Award 2010 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Modern Family (episode: "Up All Night") Nominated [48]
2011 Modern Family (episode: "Good Cop Bad Dog") Won [49]
2012 Modern Family (episode: "Lifetime Supply") Nominated [50]
2013 Modern Family (episode: "Mistery Date") Nominated [51]
2014 Modern Family (episode: "Spring-a-Ding-Fling") Won [52]
2015 Modern Family (episode: "Crying Out Loud") Nominated [53]
2016 Modern Family (episode: "The Party") Nominated [54]
2017 Modern Family (episode: "Grab It") Nominated [55]
Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Series Boondoggle Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2009 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 1) Nominated [56]
2010 Modern Family (season 2) Won [57]
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2011 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 3) Won [58]
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2012 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 4) Won [59]
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2013 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 5) Won [60]
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series Won
2014 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 6) Nominated [61]
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2015 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 7) Nominated [62]
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2016 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 8) Nominated [63]
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ty Burrell

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ty Burrell (born Tyler Gerald Burrell; August 22, 1967) is an American actor best known for his role as Phil Dunphy, the lovable and father figure, on the ABC (2009–2020), a performance that earned him two for Outstanding in a Comedy Series in 2011 and 2014. Born in , Burrell grew up in in a supportive family; his mother, Sheri Burrell, was a teacher, and his father, Gary Burrell, worked as a family counselor until his death in 1989 at age 48. He attended Hidden Valley High School, where he played football as a lineman for the Mustangs, and later pursued theater studies, earning a in theater arts from in 1993 after attending the , followed by a from Penn State University. Burrell began his career in regional theater, working as a bartender at the during college and performing at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in 1999, even living out of his van to support himself. His screen debut came in with supporting roles in films such as Black Hawk Down and , followed by appearances in movies like The Incredible Hulk (2008), (2014), and voice work as Bailey in (2016) and Mr. Peabody in (2014). Beyond Modern Family, he has guest-starred on series including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and , and starred in theater productions like at the Signature Theatre and Drunk Enough to Say I Love You at London's . In addition to his two Emmy wins, Burrell received six additional Emmy nominations (for a total of eight), a Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Series in , a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting in a Series in 2012, and the Monte Carlo TV Festival's Best Comedic award in 2013. He signed a deal with 20th Century Fox Television in to develop and produce projects. Burrell has been married to actress Holly Burrell since August 2000, whom he met in the late 1990s at the Shakespeare Theatre in ; the couple adopted two daughters, Frances in March 2010 and Greta in March 2012. Following the end of , the family relocated from to , , in 2020, where Burrell's younger brother Duncan co-owns local bars.

Early life and education

Early life

Tyler Gerald Burrell was born on August 22, 1967, in . He is the son of Sheri Rose Hauck, a teacher, and Gary Gerald Burrell, who worked as a family therapist; the family owned a local business in the area. Burrell grew up in the rural Applegate community near the border, where his family operated the Applegate Store from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s; the establishment served multiple roles as a gas station, , , and general supply point for the remote territory. He attended Hidden Valley High School in Grants Pass, participating in football as a lineman for the school's Mustangs team, and graduated in 1985. Burrell's rural upbringing in Applegate provided a foundation of small-town experiences that later informed his perspectives on community and family.

Education

Burrell began his postsecondary education at the , where he initially pursued theatre studies before transferring to complete his undergraduate degree. He transferred to in , earning a in Theatre Arts in 1993. During his time there, Burrell gained early exposure to professional theatre by working as a at the nearby , where he observed rehearsals and performances that deepened his interest in acting. Burrell continued his training at , obtaining a in 1997 through its esteemed theatre program, which emphasized techniques. As part of his early professional development during and immediately following graduate studies, he performed roles at the Shakespeare Festival in 1997 and 1999. In 1999, he played Richard in and the Duke of /Oberon in .

Acting career

Theatre work

Burrell began his professional stage career in regional theatre, drawing on his classical training from Penn State's MFA program, which emphasized Shakespearean techniques applied to roles like those at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. In 1997 and 1999, he served as a festival actor there, performing in productions such as A Midsummer Night's Dream as Theseus/Oberon and The Lion in Winter as Richard. His work in these venues pre-2000 showcased a versatility in classical and modern dramatic pieces, earning local acclaim for his commanding presence in ensemble casts. Transitioning to New York, Burrell appeared in several Off-Broadway productions that highlighted his dramatic range. In 2002, he played Burton in the Signature Theatre Company's revival of Lanford Wilson's Burn This, directed by James Houghton, opposite Catherine Keener and Edward Norton; critics praised his portrayal of the grounded screenwriter amid the play's emotional intensity. He followed this in 2004 with the role of the Duke of Buckingham in a Public Theater staging of Shakespeare's Richard III, directed by Peter DuBois and starring Peter Dinklage as the title character, where his performance contributed to the production's innovative take on physicality and power dynamics. In 2006, Burrell starred as Tom in Paul Weitz's Show People at Second Stage Theatre, a comedy that allowed him to blend dramatic depth with satirical edge on Hollywood insiders. Later in 2006, he starred as Sam in Caryl Churchill's Drunk Enough to Say I Love You at the Royal Court Theatre in London. These roles established him as a compelling stage presence capable of intense, character-driven drama. Burrell made his Broadway debut in 2000 as (and for Macduff) in a revival of Shakespeare's at the Music Box Theatre, directed by Terry Hands and starring ; the production ran briefly from June 15 to 25 but marked his entry into major commercial theatre. His dramatic theatre background, evident in these Shakespearean and contemporary works, contrasted sharply with his later comedic television persona, earning recognition for his ability to convey psychological complexity and moral ambiguity on stage. In 1998, he co-wrote and appeared in the play Babble with his brother Duncan at the Broad Horizons Theatre. Following the start of in 2009, Burrell's stage appearances became limited, with no major productions noted through 2025; he occasionally participated in developmental workshops, such as the 2009 JAW festival at Portland Center Stage, focusing on new play readings rather than full performances.

Film roles

Burrell began his film career with supporting roles in two 2001 productions, marking his transition from stage acting to screen work. In Ivan Reitman's science fiction comedy , he portrayed the character Flemming, a minor role in the ensemble cast dealing with an alien invasion. Later that year, he appeared as U.S. Army Pararescueman Timothy A. Wilkinson in Ridley Scott's war epic Black Hawk Down, contributing to the depiction of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu through his portrayal of a at a crash site. These early appearances established Burrell in action-oriented films, showcasing his ability to handle intense, ensemble-driven narratives. Building on these debuts, Burrell took on more prominent supporting parts in the mid-2000s. In Zack Snyder's 2004 horror remake Dawn of the Dead, he played Steve, a survivor navigating a in a mall, adding depth to the group's dynamics amid escalating threats. His role expanded in scope with the 2008 Marvel superhero film The Incredible Hulk, directed by , where he embodied Dr. Leonard Samson, a whose pursuit of the leads to his own transformation into a powerful antagonist known as . This performance highlighted Burrell's versatility in blending intellectual restraint with emerging menace, contributing to the film's exploration of identity and rage. Burrell's filmography increasingly incorporated voice acting in animated features, allowing him to infuse family-oriented stories with his distinctive comedic timing. In Rob Minkoff's 2014 DreamWorks animation Mr. Peabody & Sherman, he voiced the titular genius beagle Mr. Peabody, an inventor and single father who time-travels with his adopted son to correct historical mishaps, emphasizing themes of ingenuity and parental bonds. That same year, in James Bobin's Muppets Most Wanted, Burrell portrayed the bumbling French Interpol inspector Jean Pierre Napoleon, partnering with Sam Eagle to thwart a heist during the Muppets' world tour; this role bridged his live-action work into whimsical, ensemble comedies, aligning with his concurrent television persona and paving the way for more lighthearted projects. He continued with voice roles in 2016, including Bailey, a nearsighted beluga whale offering comic relief in Pixar's Finding Dory, and Henry Gardner, Tulip's quirky boss at a stork delivery company in Warner Animation Group's Storks, both films underscoring his knack for endearing, humorous support in adventurous tales. Post-2020, Burrell's on-screen appearances have been limited, with a shift toward selective voice work and no major theatrical releases between 2023 and 2025, reflecting his relocation from Hollywood and focus on family and other ventures. These roles collectively demonstrate Burrell's from supporting characters to beloved in animated spectacles, enhancing his reputation for adaptable, character-driven performances across genres.

Television roles

Burrell began his television career with guest appearances, including a role as an attorney in the 2002 episode "Execution" of : Special Victims Unit. He also guest-starred as Dr. Solomon in the 2006 episode "Slap Bet" of . These early spots showcased his comedic timing in supporting roles on established series. His first leading television role came in the CBS sitcom (2005–2006), where he portrayed Dr. Oliver Barnes, a plastic surgeon navigating family dynamics in a medical household alongside co-stars and . The series, which ran for one season, highlighted Burrell's ability to blend humor with familial tension. Following its cancellation, he starred as Gary Crezyzewski, a quirky weatherman, in the Fox sitcom Back to You (2007–2008), opposite and ; the show also lasted one season but further established Burrell in ensemble comedies. Burrell achieved his breakthrough with the role of Phil Dunphy in the ABC sitcom (2009–2020), a mockumentary-style series that followed three interconnected families. As the optimistic real estate agent and father of three, Burrell's portrayal earned him two for Outstanding in a Comedy Series (2011 and 2014), along with six as part of the ensemble. The character initially appeared as a bumbling, overly enthusiastic dad seeking approval from his family, but evolved into a more nuanced figure who provided emotional depth and support, becoming the "center of joy and fun" in his household while grappling with personal insecurities and growth. By the series' end, Burrell was earning $500,000 per episode, reflecting the show's massive success and his central role in its 250-episode run. After Modern Family concluded, Burrell transitioned to voice acting, providing the voice of Jack Harris, a rock-obsessed plumber and devoted father, in the Fox animated series Duncanville (2020–2022), created by and starring as his on-screen wife. This role allowed him to explore family comedy in an animated format over two seasons. In 2024, he starred as the lead in the ABC multi-camera comedy pilot Forgive and Forget, which he also executive produced; the project centered on family reconciliation themes but was not picked up to series. Later that year, Roku announced , a slapstick comedy reimagining of the 1950s detective series, with Burrell in the lead role of a wisecracking private eye traveling cities while pining for a lost love; executive produced by , the show was set for release in 2025. Post-Modern Family, Burrell has focused on voice-over work, including contributions to audiobooks and animated projects, which has enabled a flexible lifestyle centered on and outdoor activities in . This selective approach to television has kept him active in without demanding on-set commitments.

Other pursuits

Business ventures

In 2020, Ty Burrell founded the Desert Whale Productions and secured a two-year with 20th Century Fox Television, enabling the development of scripted content including a project for ABC titled Yours, Mine & Paul's. Burrell created and starred in the web series Boondoggle, a comedy loosely based on his own life that debuted in June 2016 on ABC.com and ABCd; the series earned him a 2017 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. Burrell co-owns The Eating Establishment, a historic restaurant on Park City's Main Street that he acquired in 2016 with a group of investors, preserving its status as one of Utah's oldest eateries since 1972. He also co-owns the adjacent bars Bar X and Beer Bar in downtown Salt Lake City, with Bar X operating as a prohibition-era-style cocktail lounge opened in 2013 and Beer Bar launching in 2014 as a casual spot focused on craft beers and pub fare. In recent years, Burrell executive produced the Roku comedy series Tightrope!, a reimagining of the 1950s drama, announced in 2024 with Bryan Cranston as a fellow executive producer. He launched The Good Life in July 2025 as an Audible Original audio series—a feel-good comedy inspired by his childhood in rural Oregon—featuring voice talents including Jennifer Garner and Colton Dunn. These ventures, including his Utah-based hospitality investments, have supported Burrell's transition from Hollywood to a more family-oriented life in Salt Lake City since 2020, providing creative outlets and local economic involvement while leveraging his Modern Family success.

Philanthropy

Ty Burrell has engaged in philanthropy primarily focused on supporting vulnerable workers in the hospitality industry and empowering foster youth through creative arts programs. His charitable efforts are particularly tied to his adopted home of Salt Lake City, Utah, where he has contributed to community relief initiatives aimed at aiding those impacted by economic hardships. In March 2020, at the onset of the , Burrell and his wife, Holly, donated $100,000 to establish the "Tip Your Server" program, administered through the Downtown Alliance of . This initiative provided $2,000 grants to laid-off and bar employees, including wait staff, to help cover immediate needs such as rent and groceries, with the fund ultimately distributing aid to hundreds of workers across the region. Burrell continued his support for Utah's community in August 2025, following a fire that damaged several businesses on City's Main Street. He participated in a video for the Downtown Alliance's employee assistance fund, which aimed to raise $500,000 for affected workers; the effort had already collected $75,000 within 36 hours of launch. This involvement underscores his ongoing commitment to local economic recovery, enabled in part by his ties to the area's business community. As a longtime for Kids In The Spotlight (), a founded in 2009, Burrell has advocated for foster youth by supporting programs that teach filmmaking skills to marginalized children, enabling them to create and showcase their own short films. He has hosted annual events like the "Movies by Kids" screening and awards show, and the organization's Gary Burrell Humanitarian Award is named in honor of his late father, reflecting a personal emphasis on children's causes. Burrell's involvement with KITS dates back to at least 2016, with continued promotion highlighted in 2025 interviews emphasizing the program's role in giving voice to foster children through arts education.

Personal life

Family

Ty Burrell married Holly Burrell (née Weekley) in August 2000 after meeting her in the late 1990s while both were working as understudies at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C., during a production of Twelfth Night. Burrell has credited the encounter as immediate and profound, stating that he knew on their first date he wanted to marry her, a sentiment that underscored their enduring partnership built on mutual encouragement during his early career struggles in theater. The couple expanded their family through , welcoming daughter in March 2010 and daughter Greta in March 2012. Burrell and Holly have maintained a private family life, rarely sharing details about their daughters publicly, though Burrell has described the adoptions as transformative experiences that deepened his appreciation for , a value he attributes largely to his wife's influence.

Residences and interests

Burrell and his wife Holly first relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2008 to be closer to family and escape the intensity of Hollywood life. During the production of Modern Family from 2009 to 2020, the couple split their time between Southern California, where the show was filmed in Los Angeles, and Utah, maintaining a residence in the Los Angeles area to accommodate his filming schedule. Following the series finale in 2020, they made Salt Lake City their primary residence, prioritizing a quieter, family-oriented environment. In an August 2025 interview with , Burrell expressed no regrets about the move, describing his Utah life as "spectacular" and ideal for an outdoorsy lifestyle with his family, including hiking and spending quality time with his teenage daughters. This shift has allowed him to focus on work-life balance, particularly through voice-over projects since 2022, which enable him to remain based in without the demands of on-location filming. Burrell's personal interests include avid support for several sports teams, reflecting his roots and time in . As an native and alumnus, he is a dedicated fan of the team. He also cheers for the of the NBA, often attending games with his family during visits to his home state. His passion for baseball centers on the , whom he has described as his favorite underdog team, and he follows the NFL's as a lifelong supporter despite his origins. These hobbies complement his enjoyment of outdoor family activities in Utah's natural surroundings.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole
2001EvolutionBiology professor Harry Block
2001Black Hawk DownU.S. Army Ranger Pvt. John Waddell (live-action)
2004Dawn of the DeadSurvivor Steve (live-action)
2004In Good CompanyAdvertising executive Enrique Colon (live-action)
2005Down in the ValleySupporting role Rocky (live-action)
2006Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane ArbusPhotographer Allan Arbus (live-action)
2006Friends with MoneyFriend Aaron's colleague (live-action)
2006The Darwin AwardsSupporting role Emile (live-action)
2007National Treasure: Book of SecretsAgent Connor (live-action)
2008The Incredible HulkPhysician Dr. Leonard Samson (live-action)
2009The Goods: Live Hard, Sell HardUsed car salesman Paxton Harding (live-action)
2009Leaves of GrassUniversity professor Sorenson (live-action)
2009Taking WoodstockMinister Reverend Don (live-action)
2010Fair GameCIA colleague Fred (live-action)
2010Morning GloryTelevision producer Paul McVee (live-action)
2010UnstoppableYardmaster Ned Oldham (live-action)
2011ButterContest organizer Bob Pickler (live-action)
2011The MuppetsHimself (cameo, live-action)
2012GoatsTherapist Frank (live-action)
2012The CampaignPolitical operative Mitch Wilson (live-action)
2013The Way Way BackStepmother's boyfriend Trent (live-action)
2014The Skeleton TwinsTherapist Rich (live-action)
2014Muppets Most WantedCriminal Jean Pierre Napoleon (live-action)
2014Planes: Fire & RescueFirefighter Chad (voice)
2014Mr. Peabody & ShermanBeagle Mr. Peabody (voice)
2016StorksHuman Henry Gardner (voice)
2016Finding DoryPorpoise Bailey (voice)
2016The Secret Life of PetsTerrier Mel (voice)
2016Rough NightHusband Pete (live-action)
2017The Pirates of SomaliaJournalist Frank (live-action)
2018Game NightHost Max (live-action)
2019StuberPolice captain Rick (live-action)
2020The High NoteManager Max (live-action)
2020Scoob!Superhero Green Lantern (voice)
2021Bill Scott: The Portrait of a MooseSelf

Television

Burrell made his television debut with guest roles in the late 1990s. He appeared as Ed in two episodes of the sitcom in 1996. In 2000, he guest-starred as Paul Donatelli in an episode of . Burrell portrayed Tom Starks in the season 2 finale episode "Six Meetings Before Lunch" of in 2001. He played Herman Capshaw in another episode of in 2001. In 2002, Burrell guest-starred as Alan Messinger in the season 4 premiere "" of : Special Victims Unit. He appeared as Dr. Russell Hamilton in the episode "Regan" of in 2003. From 2005 to 2006, Burrell starred as Dr. Oliver Barnes in the CBS sitcom , appearing in all 22 episodes. He led the cast as Gary Crezyzewski in the Fox sitcom Back to You from 2007 to 2008, featuring in 17 episodes. In 2008, Burrell starred as Christopher in the Lifetime TV movie . Burrell guest-starred as Douglas Schiff in the season 2 premiere "I Lied, Too" of in 2009. From 2009 to 2020, he portrayed Phil Dunphy as a series regular in the ABC sitcom , appearing in all 250 episodes. Burrell provided voice work as , Reed Richards, and in from 2010 to 2011, across multiple episodes. He appeared as himself in an episode of in 2015. In 2016, Burrell guest-starred as himself on . He played the lead role of Ty in the web series in 2016. Burrell guest-starred in the season 2 premiere "Back to School" of in 2017. From 2019 to 2021, he voiced Dr. Griffin in the , appearing in multiple episodes. Burrell voiced Jack Harris, the father of the protagonist, as a series regular in the Duncanville from 2020 to 2022, featuring in 39 episodes. In 2020, he reprised Phil Dunphy in the special Modern Family: A Modern Farewell. In 2024, Burrell starred and executive produced the unaired ABC pilot Forgive and Forget, which was not picked up to series. As of 2025, Burrell is set to lead the Roku Channel comedy series Tightrope!, a reimagining of the 1950s crime drama, playing a wisecracking private eye.

Theatre

Burrell began his professional stage career in regional theatre, performing at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in the late 1990s. In 1997, he appeared in productions there as a festival actor. In 1999, he played Richard in The Lion in Winter and Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream, both at the Adams Shakespearean Theatre in Cedar City, Utah. Burrell made his Broadway debut in 2000 as Lennox, with understudy duties for Macduff, in a revival of Shakespeare's Macbeth directed by Richard Eyre, starring Kelsey Grammer and Diane Venora, at the Music Box Theatre in New York City; the limited run lasted from June 15 to June 25. In 2002, he portrayed the sculptor Burton in Lanford Wilson's Burn This at the Signature Theatre Company in New York City, alongside Edward Norton, Catherine Keener, and Dallas Roberts; the Off-Broadway revival ran from August 27, 2002, to January 5, 2003. Burrell returned to Shakespeare in 2004, playing the in a modern-dress production of Richard III at The Public Theater's Martinson Hall in , directed by Peter DuBois and starring as the title role; the Off-Broadway run opened on October 11 and continued through November 2004. In 2006, he starred as Tom in the world premiere of Paul Weitz's comedy Show People at Second Stage Theatre in , with a cast including , , and ; the Off-Broadway production ran from September 28 to November 5. Later that year, Burrell made his London stage debut as Sam in Caryl Churchill's Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? at the Royal Court Theatre, running from November 22, 2006, to January 6, 2007. Burrell's later theatre work has been limited, with no major stage credits reported after 2006 amid his rising television profile.

Awards and nominations

Ty Burrell received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Phil Dunphy on the ABC sitcom , earning eight consecutive nominations for the from 2010 to 2017. He secured his first win in this category at the in 2011, for the second season of . In his acceptance speech, Burrell delivered an emotional yet humorous tribute, reflecting on his late start in and the fact that his father had passed away before witnessing his success on the show; he quipped about needing "more crying" while thanking his family and co-stars. Burrell won the award again at the in 2014, for the fifth season. During his speech, he lightheartedly noted that his children had prepared an alternative script for him, blending gratitude toward the cast and crew with playful family references. The following table summarizes Burrell's Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding in a Comedy Series:
YearCeremonyResultShow (Role)
201062ndNominated (Phil Dunphy)
201163rdWinner (Phil Dunphy)
201264thNominated (Phil Dunphy)
201365thNominated (Phil Dunphy)
201466thWinner (Phil Dunphy)
201567thNominated (Phil Dunphy)
201668thNominated (Phil Dunphy)
201769thNominated (Phil Dunphy)
In addition to his Modern Family recognition, Burrell received a 2017 nomination at the for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for his role as Ty in the web series .

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Burrell's contributions to Modern Family garnered significant recognition from the Screen Actors Guild, particularly through the show's ensemble cast, which received eight nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series across the 16th to 23rd Annual SAG Awards (2010–2017). The ensemble secured consecutive wins for the 17th through 20th ceremonies (2011–2014), celebrating the collaborative chemistry among the cast, including Burrell as Phil Dunphy, in portraying the show's multigenerational family dynamics. Individually, Burrell earned seven nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Modern Family, spanning the 17th to 23rd Annual SAG Awards (2011–2017). He won the at the 20th ceremony in 2014, ending Baldwin's seven-year streak in the category and highlighting Burrell's nuanced portrayal of the affable yet bumbling . These honors overlapped with his Primetime Emmy successes for the same performance, underscoring peer recognition within the acting community. Following the 23rd Annual SAG Awards in 2017, Burrell has received no further nominations from the guild as of 2025.

Other accolades

Burrell received three nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Modern Family, in 2011, 2012, and 2016. He won the award in 2012. He earned nominations for Favorite Comedic TV Actor at the People's Choice Awards in 2013 and 2015, both for Modern Family. Burrell was nominated for Favorite Actor in the 2014 TV Guide Award for his performance in Modern Family. Additional honors include the 2013 Monte-Carlo TV Festival Award for Best Comedic Actor for Modern Family and the 2012 Family Television Awards for Actor. No major accolades have been awarded to Burrell for projects after 2020, including his starring role in the upcoming television series Tightrope! (2025) or his work, as of 2025.

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