Why Modern Family Star Ty Burrell Quietly Left Hollywood
For over a decade, Ty Burrell brought laughter and heart to millions as Phil Dunphy, the affable and endlessly awkward dad on ABC’s hit sitcom Modern Family. His performance earned him two Emmy Awards and a permanent place in the pantheon of beloved TV dads. But since the show ended in 2020, Burrell has all but vanished from the spotlight.
Now, the actor is breaking his silence—and revealing the real reason behind his quiet departure from Hollywood.
“I was never in it for the fame,” Burrell said in a rare interview. “I loved acting, I loved storytelling, but the spotlight was never something I craved.”
After Modern Family wrapped its 11-season run, many expected Burrell to jump straight into new projects. Instead, he chose something entirely different: a slower, more grounded life far from Hollywood. He and his wife Holly, along with their two adopted daughters, settled full-time in Salt Lake City, Utah—a place they had been quietly calling home for years.
For Burrell, the decision wasn’t about career fatigue or a desire to quit acting. It was about being present.
“After years of working nonstop, I realized I wanted to be around more—for my kids, for my wife, for my community,” he said. “There’s a kind of fulfillment you don’t get from applause or awards.”
In Utah, Burrell has become more than a retired actor—he’s an active member of the local community. He owns several bars and restaurants in Salt Lake City and has taken a leading role in charitable efforts. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Burrell and his wife launched a fund to support laid-off service industry workers, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help struggling families.
“It just felt like the right thing to do,” he said. “These are people who’ve served our food, cleaned our tables, poured our drinks. When the world shut down, they were the first to suffer.”
Though he’s stepped back from on-screen roles, Burrell hasn’t turned his back on storytelling entirely. He’s lent his voice to animated series such as Duncanville and continues to express interest in returning to stage acting one day. But for now, he’s happy to live outside the camera’s frame.
In a culture that often equates success with constant visibility and hustle, Burrell’s decision to walk away from Hollywood speaks volumes. He’s chosen purpose over prestige, family over fame—and he seems more fulfilled than ever.
“I’m not saying I’ll never act again,” Burrell added. “But for now, I’m exactly where I want to be.”
While fans may miss his on-screen charm, Ty Burrell’s off-screen story is proving just as meaningful. In trading scripts and sets for school pickups and community fundraisers, the man who once made the world laugh as Phil Dunphy is now leading a quieter, but no less impactful, life.
