Ty Burrell may have his own bar in Salt Lake City (true story), but when he’s in L.A., the former bouncer prefers the old-timey feel of Oldfields Liquor Room in Culver City. It’s the perfect place to tuck into some ice-cold gin over a round of ridiculously good-natured jokes. The only person better than Phil Dunphy? The guy who plays him on TV.
By September 11, 2014
Ty Burrell from “Modern Family” Photo: Abby Ross
Of all the gin joints in Culver City, Ty Burrell walks into Oldfields Liquor Room with the disarming air of the everyman. The date is August 3, 2014; the time is a crisp 5:00 p.m.—the world’s most ideal cocktailing time; and, in precisely 22 days, the 47-year-old will take home his second primetime Emmy award for his portrayal of Phil Dunphy on the embarrassingly popular ABC sitcom Modern Family. And, yes, for the record, he is everything you want him to be—and then some. Ty Burrell is kind, but not phony; funny, but not insecure; and manly, but not patriarchal. It’s a far cry from the role he plays in The Skeleton Twins, out tomorrow, an incisively dark comedy about an estranged brother (Bill Hader) and sister (Kristen Wiig) who reunite after both attempt suicide on the same day. It sounds gritty, but the characters—including Burrell’s lecherous and closeted teacher Rich—are imbued with such humanity and humor that you can’t help but care about them. Here, over a round of chartreuse cocktails, Burrell opens up about his teenaged taste in music, three months spent as the “softest” bartender in Boston, and the culinary perks of being a child star on ABC’s most popular series.
I, along with the rest of the world, adore Modern Family. But Phil’s relationship with his son, Luke [Nolan Gould], is my favorite part…
It’s one of my favorite things too. Have you ever met Nolan?
No, but I saw a picture of him recently and he’s, like, a man now. He’s all grown up.
Yeah, he’s growing like crazy. He’s just a really special kid. They’re all amazing, but I’m closer to him because I have so many scenes with him, you know?