X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Ed O'Neill Biography

Birth Name:Edward Leonard O'Neill

Birth Place:Youngstown, Ohio, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Was nominated for a 2011 Critics Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for "Modern Family․"
  • Attended Ohio University as a history major and Youngstown State University as one of the first students in the schools' new theater program
  • Before entering acting, he worked as a high school social studies teacher
  • Made his screen acting debut in the film "Cruising" in 1980
  • Quote: "That's the formula for comedy: it's one step forward and then two steps back․ Or it's two steps forward and one step back․ It can never be resolved․ Then you have no show․"
  • Quote: "(On "Modern Family"): "Once you've been in the business a while and you can see when it [a show] is good․ You know about certain sign posts․ You can see that the show isn't just good, but it has legs, potential․""
  • Best known for his role as Al Bundy in "Married․․․with Children" and as Jay Pritchett in "Modern Family․"
  • Often plays characters who are working-class family men with a sarcastic, weary sense of humor
  • Was signed as an outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969, but was cut before the start of the season
  • Earned his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu in 2007, which he considered one of the "greatest achievement[s] of my life․"
  • Was in contention for the role of Sam Malone in "Cheers" and of Steven Keaton in "Family Ties․"

Awards

  • 1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2009Innovator Award-: winner
  • 2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
  • 2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2011Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2011INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actor - Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2012Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2012OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2013BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2013OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2014OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016Voice Arts Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Animation, Best Voiceover: nominated
  • 2017Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2017Blimp Award-#SQUAD: winner
  • 2018Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated