Modern Family Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Frederick Charles "Fred" Willard Jr. was an American actor, comedian, voice actor, and writer. Fred portrayed the recurring character of Frank Dunphy, Phil's father. He was best known for his improvisational comedy.


He was known for his roles in the Rob Reiner mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap, the Christopher Guest mockumentary films Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, and the Anchorman films. He is an alumnus of The Second City. He received three Emmy nominations for his recurring role on the TV series Everybody Loves Raymond as Robert Barone's father-in-law, Hank MacDougall.

Trivia[]

  • In the Season 4 episode, "Goodnight Gracie", his on-screen granddaughter Ariel Winter (Alex Dunphy) mentions Paul Newman, who was also from Shaker Heights, Cleveland, Ohio.
  • He was 6' 1½" (1,87 m)
  • He got his start performing in a comedy duo with Vic Greco and spent a year at Chicago's famed Second City. He was also a founding member of the improvisational comedy group Ace Trucking Company.
  • He was a lifelong Democrat.
  • He was the spokesman for La Quinta Inns and Suites.
  • He Hosted the 1st Annual Carney Awards in 2015.
  • He passed away on May 15, 2020 from Myelodysplastic syndrome (a rare form of blood cancer) and coronary artery disease.
  • He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills, California, U.S.
  • He died exactly 4 months after the episode of his character's death.
ved Modern Family  cast
Main cast
Ty BurrellJulie BowenSarah HylandAriel WinterNolan GouldEd O'NeillSofía VergaraRico Rodriguez IIJeremy MaguireJesse Tyler FergusonEric StonestreetAubrey Anderson-Emmons
Recurring cast
Fred WillardShelley LongNathan LaneElizabeth BanksAdam DeVineReid EwingSteve Zahn
Advertisement