Ty Burrellhas forever cemented his status as America’s favorite dad. Through an iconic run as Phil Dunphy onModern Family, Burrell’s quirky humor, heartfelt moments, and perfect comedic timing have made him a household sitcom name. However, beyond television, Burrell has also built an impressive filmography. For instance, he’s surprisingly a member of the iconicBlack Hawk Downcast, in which he delivers an unsuspectedly grounded performance. Amid the film’s gripping intensity, Burrell proved himself to be a true, versatile actor.
Burrell’s performance inModern Familyremains by far his most iconic, with Mr. Dunphy’s hilarious, signature sense of childlike wonder redefining the otherwise cheesy sitcom dad. Additionally, as a member of theMr. Peabody & Shermanvoice cast, Burrell’s versatility extends beyond live-action media. This unexpectedly dynamic career is filled with diverse roles, making it hard to pick 10 of the best, especially with so manyprojects we forgot Ty Burrellwas in besidesModern Family. With the ability to effortlessly coexist in many different movie settings, Burrell’s career is certainly one worth analyzing.
Finding Dory
Cast
The sequel to Pixar’s Finding Nemo, Finding Dory focuses on the character of Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) as she sets off to locate her parents. Still living with amnesia after the events of Finding Nemo, Dory is unable to remember her parents, but an unexpected flashback prompts her to find them. Her journey takes her not only across the ocean but also out of it, enlisting all manner of marine life to help her in her quest.
Ty Burrell brought his signature humor to Pixar’sFinding Dorywithout even having to show his face. Bailey, the lovable beluga whale with a knack for self-deprecating charm, proved to be the perfect animated role for America’s favorite dad. Burrell inFinding Dorygenerated a heartwarming subplot in the film, making him a standout in the ensemble. With witty dialogue and wholesome chemistry with characters,Burrell brings a lot to the table when it comes toFinding Dory’s success as a film.
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His ability to infuse a playful awkwardness into the character solely with his voice chops adds a crucial relatability. He demonstrates similar skills inModern Family, another reason this show was so popular over the years. Burrell’s over-dramatic persona pairs with the roles he plays best. It’s no surprise fans still joke about Bailey being the marine version of Phil Dunphy. It’s honestly just as funny as it is interesting thatsuch a strong personality can permeate through different character roles.
Mr. Peabody and Sherman
Mr. Peabody and Sherman is an animated film directed by Rob Minkoff. The plot centers around Mr. Peabody, a highly intelligent dog, and his adopted human son, Sherman, as they use their time-traveling device, the WABAC, to embark on various historical adventures. Ty Burrell voices Mr. Peabody, and Max Charles voices Sherman. The pair must navigate the challenges of parenting and the consequences of tampering with history.
In 2014, Burrell stepped into the polished, once again animated shoes of Mr. Peabody. Taking on the role of a hyper-intelligent dog (practically still Phil Dunphy) and adoptive father, Burrell’s portrayal perfectly balances Peabody’s intellect with fatherly clumsiness. The results are quite brilliant;Mr. Peabody & Shermanis hilarious and Burrell steals the spotlight,especially during scenes where Mr. Peabody is navigating through historical monuments including King Tut and Leonardo da Vinci.
Ty Burrell was initially hesitant to take on the role of Mr. Peabody because he felt the character’s iconic voice, originally performed by Bill Scott, was so beloved and unique.
One of the most iconic recurring themes in this film is Peabody’s pun-filled personality. To defuse tense situations, the dog voiced by Burrell constantly fills the room with humorous quips. Overall, Burrell’s nuanced performance directly ensures that his character feels both relatable and extraordinary. He nailed this with Bailey, and certainly with Phil Dunphy. It’s simply Burrell’s genius portrayal of the everyday hero.
Muppets Most Wanted
A sequel to 2011’s The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted is a musical comedy film that sees the titular Jim Henson Muppets on the run from the law in Europe when a criminal genius named Constantine, who looks exactly like Kermit the Frog, replaces him after completing a major heist. The movie follows the Kermits as one tries to hide amongst his innocent friends, and the other tries to escape prison and clear his name.
The beloved actor’s role inMuppets Most Wantedturn as Jean Pierre Napoleon is purely a comedic goldmine. Portraying a flamboyant, theatrical Interpol agent, it’s no wonder why Burrell shines, from the way the role was written to the way it was cast. That lingering French accent paired with hilarious incompetence allows for Burrell’s performance to deliver a surplus of easy laughter. It’s over-the-top, yet rarely overshadows the Muppets' charm in their movie.
Napoleon’s comedic rapport with Sam is one of the genre-bending film’s highlights. This dynamic showcases Burrell’s ability to embrace absurdity while maintaining impeccable timing. This eccentric European character is a fresh look for Burrell. His performance is genuinely hilarious,andMuppets Most Wantedjust wouldn’t be the same without the inclusion of Burrell.
Black Hawk Down
Black Hawk Down recounts the harrowing true story of a U.S. military mission gone awry in Somalia. Tasked with capturing a warlord, elite soldiers find themselves in a fierce battle against Somali militia forces.
Burrell showcases a much more dramatic side as well as joins a sizable group ofactors you forgot were inBlack Hawk Down. The actor steps out of his (future) comfort zone as Timothy A. Wilkinson, a pararescue officer navigating the chaos of war. With limited screen time, Burrell uses scarce minutes to present himself in a grounded, mature way, trading lighthearted humor with the gritty consequences of death.
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Burrell’s subtle yet impactful performance perfectly captures the high-stakes energy ofBlack Hawk Down,marking this as perhaps his most unique role. Obviously, this offering is notable in its stark contrast to Burrell’s comedic repertoire. It’s incredible to see how expertly the actor’s versatile abilities are put to use, especially in such a bleak film.Most people who recognize Burrell as Phil Dunphy are often surprised by his serious turn in personas.
Storks
Written by Nicholas Stoller and directed by both Nicholas Stoller and Doug Sweetland, Storks is a 2016 animated film that follows the story of a group of storks that stop delivering babies and begin to deliver products after a mishap causes one of the children to become orphaned.
In the 2016 animated masterpieceStorks,Burrell brings a different kind of charm as Henry Gardner.Voicing a workaholic dad struggling to reconnect with his family, the comedic timing and relatable delivery present in this role add depth and capture the balancing act of modern parenting. Burrell’s dynamic with Jennifer Aniston also creates a heartwarming subplot that further complements the main stork adventure. Despite being a supporting character, Burrell’s portrayal deeply resonates with the audience, injecting moments of humor and sincerity into the high-energy film.
Henry continues to serve as a reminder of Burrell’s flexibility as an actor. Effortlessly transitioning from the quirky humor ofModern Familyto the heartfelt tones of an animated family film, Burrell’s ability to infuse emotional nuance into the role enhances the movie’s themes of connection and rediscovery. While the storks and wolves dominate the flashy laughs, Burrell ensures Henry remains a memorable part of the cast, proving that animated dads can get some memorable laughs in an otherwise hectic film.
Rough Night
Rough Night is a dark comedy film directed by Lucia Aniello. Released in 2017, it stars Scarlett Johansson, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer, Zoë Kravitz, and Kate McKinnon as a group of friends who reunite for a bachelorette party in Miami. Their celebration takes a drastic turn when a male stripper accidentally dies, leading them into a series of chaotic and comedic misadventures as they attempt to deal with the situation.
Burrell takes a refreshing crack at adult humor inRough Night,portraying a wealthy, eccentric neighbor. This adds a fun depth to the film’s bachelorette party premise with Burrell’s portrayal another delightful departure from his typical roles. This once again showcases the actor’s strengths in embodying a character that’s both peculiar and relatable at the same time. His interactions with the main cast, including Scarlett Johansson and Kate McKinnon, provide many unexpectedly memorable moments, blending his usual fare with risqué humor.
One particularly memorable scene involves Pietro’s overly enthusiastic participation in a party game, leading to a series of awkward and hilarious encounters. These highlight Burrell’s impeccable comedic timing, and fans ofModern Familymight find humor in seeing their beloved innocent Phil Dunphy “gone wild.” Embracing a more liberated and uninhibited persona,this role not only adds to the film’s crazy charm but also acts as another iconic moment in Burrel’s catalog.
The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk (1977): In this film, scientist David Banner suffers a gamma radiation overdose, triggering a transformation into a giant, muscular green creature whenever he becomes angry. This condition compels him to undertake a journey to understand and control his monstrous alter ego.
It’s only right for the MCU to have a legendary Ty Burrell moment, too. Burrell portrays Dr. Leonard Samson, a psychiatrist and the love interest of Betty Ross.Burrell’s screen time is limited in this production, but his featured moments deliver psychological complexities to Bruce Banner,overall adding personal depth to the Hulk’s story. Amidst the CGI-heavy scenes, Burrell provides a grounding aesthetic of normality to the film. Interestingly enough, the character becomes a gamma-powered superhero known as Doc Samson in the comics.
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Characterized by green hair and superhuman strength, the Doc Samson era could have been very fun to indulge in, especially with Burrell’s portrayal. Since this possibility first surfaced, plenty of memes and concept art have arisen, portraying Burrell’s face as angry, Hulk-like, and sporting some serious green hair. Maybe one day the world will get a gamma-irradiated Phil, but for now, audiences should chalk it off as a win to witness Burrell’s career extend toward superhero movies.
The Skeleton Twins
The Skeleton Twins follows estranged twins Maggie and Milo, who reunite after narrowly escaping death on the same day. As they reconnect, they confront their troubled pasts and explore the potential for healing by mending their fractured relationship.
In the indie dramedyThe Skeleton Twins, Burrell portrays a high school teacher who has a complicated past with a former student, perhaps one of his most morally complex roles. His performance is spectacular, with tense interactions with one ofBill Hader’s most iconic characters, perfectly capturing the internal conflict of a man grappling with his past. This film explores morally complicated themes of personal demons, crucial decisions, and moral values, allowing Burrell’s performance to raise critical questions about humanity.
A standout moment is a quietly intense conversation between Rich and Milo in a bookstore, where unspoken emotions simmer beneath the surface. This is just one of many examples that perfectly showcase Burrell’s capacity for dramatic depth inThe Skeleton Twins. This role is also a significant departure from his comedic persona.Burrell’s ability to embody such a multifaceted character screams versatility,proving that this actor is adept at navigating both the shining and shadowed aspects of human nature.
Butter
Butter (2012) is a comedy film set in a small Iowa town, centered on an adopted girl who discovers her talent for butter carving. She competes in a local contest against a determined woman, highlighting themes of ambition and rivalry within the community.
Alternatively, taking on a much goofier role, Burrell portrays Bob Pickler. He’s a competitive butter-carving sensation whose retirement sets off a competitive frenzy in a small Iowa town.Butterhas an absolutely perfect setup to be hilarious, andBurrell absolutely kills it with his role as a man whose identity so deeply revolves around butter.The actor hilariously pokes fun at Middle America in this well-meaning satirical treat.
One particularly amusing scene features Bob attempting to mentor his ambitious wife in the art of butter carving. Overshadowed by ruthless determination, Burrell’s charmingly offbeat flavor is something to remember.Butteracts as the one inevitable cult classic most beloved actors tend to accumulate in their careers, and Burrell just does not disappoint. There are a lot of his most famous characters packed into this role,with a signature sense of easygoing that makes this film so much fun to watch.
Dawn of the Dead
A remake of George A. Romero’s classic of the same name, the movie follows a nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, who take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall.
In the 2004 remake ofDawn of the Dead, Burrell plays Steve Marcus. He’s a sarcastic and self-serving survivor of the zombie apocalypse, making for another standout role in Burrell’s repertoire. This again showcases his range through the impeccable embodiment of a decidedly unheroic persona. Steve’s cynical outlook and biting humor provide a counterbalance to the film’s intense horror elements. One memorable moment in particular is Steve’s nonchalant reaction to the chaos around him.
Burrell’s portrayal inspires memes juxtaposing Steve’s apathy with Phil Dunphy’s enthusiasm. Humorous captions often tie togetherModern FamilyandDawn of the Dead, leaving lots of opportunities for creative references from fans.Dawn of the DeadshowcasesTy Burrell’s range by letting him fully embrace a darkly comedic, selfish character. This once again unexpected performance makes it somethingthat fans still celebrate for its adrenaline-rushing edge.
