Edward Leonard O’Neill (born April 12, 1946) is an American actor, comedian, and former football player. He rose to fame as Al Bundy in “Married… with Children” (1987–1997), earning two Golden Globe nominations. His career resurged as Jay Pritchett in “Modern Family” (2009–2020), winning four Screen Actors Guild Awards and receiving three Primetime Emmy nominations.
O’Neill’s film debut was in “Cruising” (1980) and he appeared in films like “Wayne’s World”, “Little Giants”, and “The Bone Collector”. He also voiced characters in “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Finding Dory”.
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Table of Contents
Ed O’Neill Net Worth
Ed O’Neill has a net worth of $65 million. During the peak of Modern Family, O’Neill and his co-stars were among the highest-paid actors on television. From 2014 to 2018, his salary per episode was $190,000.
In 2018, he, along with the other principal stars, received a raise to $500,000 per episode, equating to approximately $12 million per season in the later years.
Early life
Ed O’Neill was born in Youngstown, Ohio, into an Irish-American Catholic family. His mother, Ruth Ann Quinlan (1924–2017), was a homemaker and social worker, and his father, Edward Phillip O’Neill (1921–2008), worked in a steel mill and as a truck driver. O’Neill played football at Ursuline High School and worked in construction and the steel mill at 14.
He attended Ohio University on a football scholarship but transferred to Youngstown State University, where he played as a defensive lineman from 1967 to 1968.
Career
In 1979, Ed O’Neill debuted on Broadway in Knockout, leading to his film debut in Cruising (1980). He gained fame as Al Bundy on Married… with Children (1987–1997) and later starred as Jay Pritchett on Modern Family (2009–2020), earning three Emmy nominations and four SAG Awards.
O’Neill appeared in films like Dutch (1991) and Finding Dory (2016) and voiced roles in Wreck-It Ralph (2012). Honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2011, he remains a celebrated actor across stage, screen, and voice work.
Personal life
Ed O’Neill is married to actress Catherine Rusoff, and as of 2016, they reside in Los Angeles with their two daughters. After being introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu by director John Milius, O’Neill trained for 22 years under Rorion Gracie and earned his black belt in 2007.
He called it his greatest achievement after his children. In 2013, O’Neill received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Youngstown State University, but in 2023, he announced he would return the degree due to the controversial hiring of Bill Johnson as university president.
Does Ed O’Neill have a Hollywood star?
Ed O’Neill received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 30, 2011, ironically placed in front of a shoe store.
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Conclusion
Ed O’Neill’s career in television and film has not only made him a beloved figure in the entertainment world but also a financially successful one. His journey from a would-be professional football player to a celebrated actor is a testament to his talent and versatility in the performing arts.
FAQs about Ed O’Neill’s Net Worth
- What is Ed O’Neill’s net worth?
- Ed O’Neill’s net worth is estimated to be around $65 million.
- What are Ed O’Neill’s most famous roles?
- O’Neill is most famous for his roles as Al Bundy in “Married… with Children” and Jay Pritchett in “Modern Family.”
- How did Ed O’Neill begin his acting career?
- O’Neill began his acting career after a brief stint in professional football and transitioned into acting with roles in commercials, theater, and eventually television and film.
- What awards has Ed O’Neill been nominated for?
- O’Neill has been nominated for Golden Globes for “Married… with Children” and Primetime Emmy Awards for “Modern Family.”
- Has Ed O’Neill done voice work in films?
- Yes, Ed O’Neill has done voice work, notably as Hank the Octopus in the Pixar film “Finding Dory.”
