Ty Burrell
An actor who turned the hapless, eager-to-please dad Phil Dunphy into a beloved and enduring symbol of modern fatherhood.
Born 1967 (age 59)·American actor·Birthday: August 22·Generation X
Biography
Ty Burrell’s road to becoming America's favorite sitcom dad was paved with character roles that showcased his unique blend of warmth and physical comedy. Born in 1967 in Oregon, he pursued acting after a stint studying theater in Pennsylvania, landing parts in films like 'Dawn of the Dead' and 'The Incredible Hulk' that hinted at a versatility beyond the goofy persona he would later perfect. His breakthrough came in 2009 with 'Modern Family,' where his portrayal of real estate agent Phil Dunphy—a man of endless dad jokes, misguided magic tricks, and genuine heart—struck a cultural chord. The role earned him multiple Emmy and SAG awards, transforming him from a reliable supporting player into a household name. Burrell’s genius was in making Phil’s earnest clueleness not just funny, but deeply affectionate, creating a television father figure for a new generation.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ty was born in 1967, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ty Was Born
The biggest hits of 1967
#1 Movie
The Jungle Book
Best Picture
In the Heat of the Night
#1 TV Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Ty's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1967Born
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1972Started school
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1980Became a teenager
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1983Could drive
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1985Could vote
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1988Turned 21
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1997Turned 30
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2007Turned 40
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 50
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 59 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Phil Dunphy on 'Modern Family.'
- Received five Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series with the 'Modern Family' cast.
- Starred in the Broadway revival of 'Burn This' in 2019, showcasing his theatrical range.
Did You Know?
Before acting, he worked as a bartender and a landscaper.
He is a part-owner of a bar and restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah, called 'Bar X' and 'Beer Bar.'
Burrell is a trained stage actor and holds a Master of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania State University.
“I'm just trying to be present and not mess up the scene.”
