‘Modern Family’s Ed O’Neill Says He Chose Acting Over a Life of Crime

The big picture

• Ed O'Neill almost got involved in organized crime after falling on hard times in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio.
• A tempting offer from an old friend almost led O'Neill down a different path, but his father's good advice saved him.
• O'Neill's decision to pursue acting eventually led to his successful career, including iconic roles in
  Married… with children
  i
  Modern Family
  .

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Modern Family crossed with The Sopranos? Probably not. But for the beloved sitcom star, Ed O'Neill, that was almost the reality. For 10 seasons, he played family patriarch Jay Pritchett on the hit ABC sitcom. Before that, he starred as Al Bundy in the raunchy classic Married… with children. In addition, the actor has had a mix of other successful roles in film and television. Despite this, times before screen success were very different for O'Neill. The star recently revealed this Hard times in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio almost led to a life of organized crime! A tempting offer from an old friend seemed reasonable, but good words of advice from O'Neill's own “Jay” turned things around and eventually led him to his long-sought success.

An old friend made Ed O'Neill an offer he almost couldn't refuse

Although he is best known for comedy, Ed O'Neill has shown a penchant for taking on dramatic roles. The most serious role he almost took was that of the mobster gofer. During a recent appearance at Modern Family cost Jesse Tyler Fergusonthe podcast of Dinner is for meO'Neill recalled a meeting with his old friend, whom he referred to as “Jim,” in 1969. Times had been tough for O'Neill, then 23 when he and Jim went for a walk. During the interview with Ferguson, O'Neill recalled “We're driving and he [Jim] he said, 'how are you? You know, you've been cut, you've got no money.” O'Neill says he confirmed he was “broken,” adding, “You know, I don't know what I'm going to do.”

Jim took O'Neill to a local bar and, according to the actor, Jim started talking about a mysterious business with the bartender. After the exchange, Jim said to O'Neill, “You can do that kind of thing for me, you know, I'll protect you. I'll give you the easy stuff. Just pick up here. Do it. Run, you. Leave something here and there. You may have to lean on a guy. The story sounds like the plot of a gangster movie.

During the podcast, O'Neill admitted it was not an easy offer to turn down. He says he told Jim he'd think about it, but was still thinking about “leaving town to pursue this act.” Still, good money almost immediately when I needed it most was a tempting offer. He told Ferguson he had gone home and thought to himself “What else am I going to do?” O'Neill might have decided to take Jim up on his offer, had he not received some tough love from his own “Jay Pritchett”.

Ed O'Neill's father stopped him from a life in organized crime

Jay Pritchett is one of O'Neill's most beloved characters, not to mention among the Modern Family distributed as a whole. Known for his blunt approach to love but his deep sense of caring, the character is the ideal TV dad. Was O'Neill's own father who gave him a 'dose of Jay' and prevented him from falling into organized crime. During his interview with Ferguson, O'Neill recalled that his father came up to him and said: “I saw you taking a walk with Jimmy … I just want to ask you a question: can you do the weather ?” O'Neill replied “No”, before his father continued “You can't do the time. You'd have a good time in jail, wouldn't you?” O'Neill told his father “No, I don't think I could do the time”, to which his father simply replied “Okay”.

O'Neill called Jim and declined his offer. O'Neill, of course, ended up pursuing acting, though it would be 11 years before he got his first role in the controversial film, Cruise ship. Since then, O'Neill has had a very successful career, appearing in two of the biggest sitcoms of all time, Married… with children i Modern Familyas well as a lot of movies and other TV shows.

Ed O'Neill's life almost turned out very differently. It's a reminder that when you're down on your luck, it's important to consider your options:iIt also doesn't hurt to have a dad to give you some tough love when you need it. Without his father's strong advice, audiences may never have known what a great talent Ed O'Neill is or the wonderful characters he continues to bring to life.