Ty Burrell

Ty Burrell – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Dive into the life and career of Ty Burrell — the American actor best known for Modern Family. Explore his early journey, achievements, acting philosophy, and notable quotes.

Introduction

Tyler Gerald “Ty” Burrell (born August 22, 1967) is an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Phil Dunphy on the hit sitcom Modern Family. Through that role, he endeared himself to audiences worldwide, earning Emmys and SAG Awards. But his story goes beyond just one character — it includes theatre, film, entrepreneurship, resilience, and a playful, self-aware approach to comedy and acting.

In this article, we trace his trajectory: from rural Oregon roots, through training, early struggles, to major success — and the values and reflections that animate his public life.

Early Life and Family

Ty Burrell was born on August 22, 1967, in Grants Pass, Oregon. He grew up in the rural community of Applegate, Oregon, near the Oregon–California border.

His parents were Sheri Rose (née Hauck), a teacher, and Gary Gerald Burrell, a family therapist.

In high school at Hidden Valley High School in Grants Pass, he played football (as a lineman) and was active in the school community.

Burrell has spoken about a modest upbringing and how he values simplicity and connection to nature in his life.

Education & Early Career

After high school, Burrell studied theatre arts. He enrolled at Southern Oregon University, graduating with a BA in theatre arts in 1993.

He then pursued graduate work at Penn State University, obtaining an MFA (Master of Fine Arts).

During college, he worked as a bartender at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which exposed him to the performing world.

His theatrical roots enabled him to perform in classical plays, off-Broadway, and eventually on Broadway (e.g. he played Lennox in Macbeth on Broadway in 2000).

Acting Career and Achievements

Breakthrough Television & Film Roles

Burrell’s early screen roles came in the early 2000s:

• Evolution (2001)

• Black Hawk Down (2001)

• Dawn of the Dead (2004)

• The Incredible Hulk (2008), playing Leonard Samson

In television, he appeared in Out of Practice (2005-06) in a lead role, and Back to You (2007-08).

But his signature role came in 2009, when he was cast as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family. two Primetime Emmy Awards (2011 and 2014) for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and multiple nominations. Screen Actors Guild Awards with the Modern Family cast and an individual SAG Award.

Outside of Modern Family, Burrell has done voice acting in animated films — for example, Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014), Finding Dory (2016), Storks (2016), among others.

He also created and starred in a web series, Boondoggle (2016), loosely based on his life, which earned him a nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.

Ventures, Philanthropy & Personal Decisions

Burrell has also invested in business: he owns a restaurant in Park City, Utah, called The Eating Establishment, and two bars in Salt Lake City — Bar X and Beer Bar.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many servers and hospitality workers were affected, Burrell and his wife contributed $100,000 of their own funds to launch a Tip Your Server fund to assist laid-off restaurant staff in Utah.

In 2020, following the end of Modern Family, Burrell and his family relocated from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, Utah. He has expressed “no regrets” about that move and often speaks of enjoying a more grounded life.

He has also recently developed a podcast/series called The Good Life, loosely based on his childhood and family experiences.

Personality, Style & Acting Approach

Ty Burrell describes himself as more drawn to comedy than drama. He has said that while dramatic work is rewarding, he feels most “light and blissful” when doing comedy.

He often plays characters with blind spots, moments of obliviousness, or charming quirkiness. He once remarked:

“I’m not saying this just to be self-deprecating, but I have always taken delight in playing people who are oblivious, because I do think I have giant, giant blind spots.”

He values authenticity, humility, and the ability to laugh at flaws. He has also acknowledged that acting can feel like a public exposure, and he admires public figures (like athletes) for maintaining selfhood under scrutiny.

He has also spoken about the tension of success: after Modern Family, other projects felt harder to balance and match the momentum.

Memorable Quotes by Ty Burrell

Here are some of his quoted reflections that reveal his humor, self-awareness, and views on life:

“You know, I used to think I was a foodie, and then my wife went to culinary school and basically explained to me that I was just a guy that likes to eat.”

“I just like comedy in general. My film work, which has been at times more dramatic, has been satisfying. But I never feel quite as good and as light and blissful as when I’m doing comedy.”

“A lot of modern comedies are difficult to watch too, because they’re so ironic and so detached … they keep you at arm’s length. … They can be really funny, but they’re not really nourishing.”

“My younger brother and I have been writing together, mainly for fun, for years, but we’ve been improvising together since we were kids. Literally.”

“Everything I do from now on, I’ll have a mustache. … If you see me with a mustache in a movie or on stage … you’ll know that I pitched the idea.”

“I think once I fail enough as a dad, I’ll be looking for help wherever I can get it. I just need enough time to screw things up … then I’ll start looking to TV dads for advice.”

“I’ve played a lot of really smarmy people in film … But there are characters I’m not as excited to explore.”

These quotes show Ty’s mix of humility, wit, and honest grappling with his own imperfections.

Lessons from Ty Burrell’s Journey

1. Persistence in the face of uncertainty. He nearly abandoned acting before Modern Family became his breakthrough. But he kept going.

2. Lean into what brings you joy. For him, comedy is where he feels most alive; he didn’t abandon it even when taking on dramatic roles.

3. Maintain grounded priorities. His move to Utah, his work helping restaurant staff, and family focus show a life centered on values, not just career.

4. Embrace flaws and blind spots. Rather than hiding them, he often builds characters around human imperfection.

5. Create your own opportunities. Through Boondoggle, his production deals, and his podcast, he continues to expand his creative reach.

Conclusion

Ty Burrell’s journey illustrates the power of steadfastness, humility, and comedic courage. From rural Oregon to Hollywood acclaim, he has built a career rooted not just in laughs, but in authenticity and grounded life choices. His roles, insights, and quotes invite us to laugh at ourselves — and to take seriously what matters.