Ed O'Neill's football career began with a scholarship to Ohio University, where he played as a defensive lineman while majoring in history1. However, his time at Ohio University was short-lived, as O'Neill admitted he was more interested in "girls, my pals and sports" than academics, doing only "the minimum for grades"2.

After leaving Ohio University, O'Neill transferred to Youngstown State University, where he continued to play football3. His athletic prowess caught the attention of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 19693. O'Neill attended the Steelers' training camp but was ultimately cut from the team4. This brief stint with the Steelers marked the end of O'Neill's football career, leading him to pursue acting and eventually become the renowned television star we know today3.

After his brief stint in professional football, Ed O'Neill turned to acting, initially supporting himself with odd jobs while pursuing roles in local theater productions.3 In 1977, at age 30, O'Neill moved to New York City to seriously pursue acting, taking classes at the prestigious Circle in the Square Theatre School.12 He worked as a busboy at O'Neal's Balloon near Lincoln Center to make ends meet while auditioning and taking on small off-off-Broadway parts.2 O'Neill's breakthrough came in 1979 when he landed the lead understudy role in the Broadway play "Knockout," eventually taking over the starring role and earning positive reviews for his portrayal of a psychotic boxer.12 This performance kickstarted his professional acting career, leading to more theater work and eventually television and film roles.1

Ed O'Neill's breakthrough role as Al Bundy in "Married... with Children" (1987-1997) catapulted him to stardom and established him as one of television's most iconic characters. O'Neill landed the part after a casting director remembered his performance in a stage production of "Of Mice and Men" a year earlier.1 His unique approach to the character, inspired by his resigned and cynical uncle, set him apart from other actors who portrayed Al Bundy as an angry, Jackie Gleason-type figure.2 O'Neill's portrayal of the downtrodden shoe salesman resonated with audiences, earning him two Golden Globe nominations and cementing Al Bundy as a cultural touchstone.13 The show's success ran for 11 seasons, concluding in 1997 and solidifying O'Neill's place in television history.1

Ed O'Neill's portrayal of Jay Pritchett on the hit ABC sitcom "Modern Family" (2009-2020) marked a resurgence in his career and introduced him to a new generation of fans. As the patriarch of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan, O'Neill's character navigated the challenges of a blended family, with his younger wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara) and her son Manny (Rico Rodriguez), while also maintaining relationships with his adult children and their families.12 Critics praised O'Neill's performance, with Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly noting that he "may have the trickiest job here," balancing humor and heart as a late-middle-aged father in a complex family dynamic.1 O'Neill's comedic timing and emotional depth earned him three consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2011-2013) and four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2010-2013).124