Emmy Award-winning actor Craig T. Nelson, currently starring as the patriarch on NBC’s "Parenthood," was very nearly the patriarch of ABC's "Modern Family," reports AccessHollywood.com.

Nelson told the TV show that he was offered the Ed O'Neill role of Jay Pritchard, but turned it down because the money for "Parenthood" was better.

Nelson said, “I really wanted to do ‘Modern Family’ and I really liked the script and I liked the people. I just said, You know what? I’ve been doing this too long. We’re in the middle of a cutback here, ladies and gentlemen, in Hollywood and salaries have gone way, way down. I just felt disrespected, to tell you the truth."

http://www.accesshollywood.com/_article_42817

Interesting.

Nelson would have been good in the role if Ed O'Neill wasn't asked.

That being said, you should have taken the part Craig T.

;)