Matt LeBlanc, well known for his role as Joey Tribbiani on ‘Friends,’ declined the offer to play Phil Dunphy on ‘Modern Family.’ This startling revelation shocked fans, especially given how iconic the character played by Ty Burrell became.
Turning down a role as significant as Phil Dunphy might seem like a risky move, but Matt LeBlanc’s decision had reasons. By stepping aside, he inadvertently allowed Ty Burrell to shine, ultimately benefiting the show and its millions of fans. Here’s why LeBlanc declined to play the role.
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Why Did Matt LeBlanc Say No To Playing Phil Dunphy?
When Matt LeBlanc was offered the part of Phil Dunphy, he knew it wasn’t right for him. The script was excellent, but he felt someone else could do it better. Reflecting on this, he told USA Today, “I remember reading it thinking, this is a really good script, (but) I’m not the guy for this, I’d be doing the project an injustice to take this.“
Despite producers considering him for the role, he recognized that Ty Burrell was the perfect choice, and he was right. Ty’s portrayal of Phil Dunphy became iconic, and his comedic brilliance turned Phil into one of TV’s most beloved characters.
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Matt LeBlanc Has Close Ties With The ‘Modern Family’ Cast
Though Matt LeBlanc didn’t join the ‘Modern Family‘ cast, his bond with its members remained close. During a tense contract negotiation phase for the actors, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who plays Mitchell Pritchett, came to Matt for guidance. Matt, drawing from his own experiences, suggested, “You have to walk out, or they won’t take you seriously. If you stick together, you have power.”
He couldn’t resist having a bit of fun with the situation. As a seasoned prankster, he texted Jesse, saying, “Hey, I killed it as Mitch today at the table read, thanks for the opportunity!”
Even though Matt LeBlanc wasn’t part of ‘Modern Family‘, his influence on the show’s cast, coupled with his legendary role as Joey, keeps him a beloved figure in television history.
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