Ed O’neill Wife: Explore All About Catherine Rusoff, Children & Family

Ed O’Neill is an actor whose name you might not immediately recognize, but his characters have left an indelible mark on television. Best known for playing Al Bundy on “Married… with Children” and Jay Pritchett on “Modern Family,” O’Neill has excelled at playing the role of the tough, lovable father for decades.

A career of memorable roles

Ed O’Neill achieved his breakthrough role playing the grumpy but lovable shoe salesman Al Bundy on “Married… with Children.” The show became a classic, and O’Neill’s portrayal of Al Bundy endeared himself to viewers for over a decade. After the show ended, O’Neill continued to captivate audiences by playing Jay Pritchett on “Modern Family.” The character was often seen as an evolved version of Al Bundy, mixing gruffness with a soft heart.

An emotional farewell to “Modern Family”

Saying goodbye to “Modern Family” in 2020 was an emotional experience for Ed O’Neill. According to the Business Journal Daily, O’Neill tried to focus on work, but the final episode brought out strong emotions. “They were making fun of me because I wasn’t the only one crying,” he shared. “I told them, ‘I’m going to burst into tears while getting a massage in a few months and no one will know why.'”

A loving family man

Ed O’Neill’s real-life role as a husband and father mirrors the beloved characters he plays. He has been married to Catherine Rusoff for three decades. The couple married in 1986, two years before Rusoff’s first small role in “Married… with Children.” Rusoff also had roles on shows like “O’Hara” and “Midnight Caller” in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Despite their long marriage, the couple has seen many ups and downs. In 2009, just before “Modern Family” aired, O’Neill was basically living as a single dad, as he told the New York Post. O’Neill and Rusoff are very private and do not use social media, allowing them to maintain a low profile in public.

Parentage and family life

The irony of Ed O’Neill’s role in “Modern Family” is that his on-screen daughter is named Claire, the same as his real-life daughter. O’Neill has two daughters, Claire and Sophia. In a 2009 interview with the New York Post, O’Neill revealed that he initially never planned on becoming a father. “The idea to have kids wasn’t mine. It was my wife’s,” he said. “Then when we had our first child, I was like ‘Oh my god, I’m in love.’ They’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

a memorable meeting

In 2020, Ed O’Neill shared a memorable Father’s Day experience with his daughters. While dining at an Italian restaurant, they met Leonardo DiCaprio. O’Neill told Ellen DeGeneres (via People) that his daughters were thrilled to meet the famous actor. His eldest daughter, Sophia, was particularly impressed by the meeting.

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