Fred Willard Joins The "Family" As Phil's Dad - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 11-18-2009, 11:50 AM

Exclusive: Fred Willard Is Modern Family Patriarch
by Matt Webb Mitovich
Nov 17th, 2009

Funnyman Fred Willard, one of the pioneers of the mockumentary format, is the latest “name” to land a plum gig on ABC’s Modern Family, I have learned exclusively.

Ty Burrell let slip the casting coup when I invited the Family man to dream-cast Phil’s dad.

“I’ll tell you who I would cast – Fred Willard, and so we did,” Burrell shared.

Halfway through its freshman season, Modern Family has tapped the likes of Shelley Long, Edward Norton, Benjamin Bratt, Chazz Palmenteri and Minnie Driver for guest-starring gigs.

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/modern-...ily-patriarch/

catlover79 · 11-18-2009, 12:26 PM

Yay!!

Scoobiedoo30 · 11-18-2009, 01:20 PM

yay this is Great news

JulieSomoski · 11-18-2009, 06:31 PM

Amazing casting. Fred Willard is one of the funniest actors alive. He'll be perfect in the role!!!!!

catlover79 · 11-19-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Amazing casting. Fred Willard is one of the funniest actors alive. He'll be perfect in the role!!!!!

I also loved his bits on Jay Leno's Tonight Show as "Willard J. Fredericks".

Plus, he was in a very funny Season 3 episode of the Bob Newhart Show called "Tobin's Back in Town" (he and Mr. Newhart also did a commentary track for the DVD). I'm also thrilled that I have his autograph!!

11-18-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,121	Fred Willard Joins The "Family" As Phil's Dad *Exclusive: Fred Willard Is Modern Family* Patriarch** by Matt Webb Mitovich Nov 17th, 2009 Funnyman Fred Willard, one of the pioneers of the mockumentary format, is the latest “name” to land a plum gig on ABC’s Modern Family, I have learned exclusively. Ty Burrell let slip the casting coup when I invited the Family man to dream-cast Phil’s dad. “I’ll tell you who I would cast – Fred Willard, and so we did,” Burrell shared. Halfway through its freshman season, Modern Family has tapped the likes of Shelley Long, Edward Norton, Benjamin Bratt, Chazz Palmenteri and Minnie Driver for guest-starring gigs. http://www.fancast.com/blogs/modern-...ily-patriarch/ Attached Images

11-18-2009, 12:26 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Yay!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

11-18-2009, 01:20 PM	#3
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	yay this is Great news
	__________________ Who Dat

11-18-2009, 06:31 PM	#4
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Amazing casting. Fred Willard is one of the funniest actors alive. He'll be perfect in the role!!!!!
	__________________ Click here to view some great articles written by my husband and I! All views are appreciated! Watch: Medium, Fridays at 9pm, on CBS! Big Bang Theory, Mondays at 9:30pm, on CBS! The Mentalist, Thursdays at 10pm, on CBS! Old Christine, Wednesdays at 8pm, on CBS! ABC's Comedy Lineup, Starting Wednesdays at 8:30pm, on ABC!