With a show as iconic as Modern Family, it might be hard to believe that other actors were considered for the show. After all, no one could play Gloria Pritchett quite like Sofía Vergara or Phil Dunphy like Ty Burrell, right? But, as it turns out, actress Judy Greer was invited to audition for the show in the role of Claire Dunphy, which eventually went to Julie Bowen.
As Greer revealed in the Dinner’s on Me podcast with Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, she was invited to audition for Claire but ended up turning it down. According to the actress, who is known for her roles in 13 Going on 30, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Jurassic World, her decision came down to not wanting to play a mom on TV.
“In a movie, people kind of see it and then they forget,” she said about movie characters who were moms, per Variety. “In a TV show, it’s just like, you’re a mom. That’s it.”
At the time, Greer, who was in her early 30s, “didn’t even want kids” in real life. “[Kids weren’t] even on the table for me,” she said.
“I was like, ‘I think I’m not going to audition for it,'” she remembered. “I was really torn about it, but I ended up obviously not. Who knows if I would have even gotten it anyway? I was just like, ‘I don’t know if I want to be America’s mom yet.’”
Despite politely declining, Greer did end up gracing the Modern Family screen eventually as she played Phil’s crazy ex-girlfriend in season 1.
“[Claire] felt so limiting compared to what I was doing already,” Greer continued. “And in addition to just the perception of who you are as an actor, it’s lifestyle too. I was like, ‘Well, I like traveling a lot, and I like doing all these movies, and I like going to all these places, and I like meeting all these people.’”
Overall, it seems Greer has no regrets about turning down the project. Whether she would’ve gotten the part or not, fans of the longtime sitcom also know that Bowen was born to play the mom of three. After all, she was nominated for six Emmy Awards and won two during the show’s 11-season run.
On X, fans are expressing their thoughts on Greer’s decision. “Julie Bowen killed that role,” wrote one user. “It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing that role.” “Expensive choice,” wrote another, referring to how famous Modern Family became. “You have choices to make, don’t settle for everything offered!” wrote another. We couldn’t agree more!
Before you go, click here to see actresses who were way too young to play these mom roles.
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