Judy Greer turned down the chance to audition for Claire Dunphy on Modern Family, and her reason has surprised a lot of fans. Long before Julie Bowen made Claire one of TV’s most famous moms, the role was offered to Greer, who decided not to go for it.
Why Judy Greer Said No to Claire Dunphy
Greer opened up about the decision on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast, Dinner’s on Me. She explained that she was asked to audition for Claire and felt torn about it, but ultimately decided against it. As she put it: “I don’t know if I want to be America’s mom yet.”
At the time, Greer was just starting to be cast as characters with children. She has said that playing a mother in a movie felt different from playing one on a TV show, where the role could end up defining her for years. Taking on a long-running sitcom mom felt limiting at that point in her career.
Julie Bowen Made the Role Her Own
The part went to Julie Bowen, who famously auditioned while seven and a half months pregnant with twins. She played the high-strung, competitive and fiercely loving Claire for all 11 seasons and won back-to-back Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2011 and 2012.
Judy Greer Still Appeared on Modern Family
Judy Greer didn’t miss out on the show completely. She guest-starred in season 1 as Denise, Phil’s old flame, giving fans a small glimpse of her in the Modern Family world. She has since built a hugely varied career, from 13 Going on 30 and Arrested Development to Ant-Man and Halloween. Still, it’s fun to imagine how different the Dunphy household might have looked if she had said yes.
Learn more about Judy Greer’s comments at TheWrap.
Judy Greer: Related Reading
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- Matt LeBlanc Was Offered the Role of Phil Dunphy and Turned It Down: “I’m Not the Guy for This”
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