Played by Fred Willard (RIP)
Like his wife, Phil isn’t the only one to have a celebrity father. The man who played the lovely Frank Dunphy was none other than the legendary actor, Fred Willard. Fred was known for a ton of TV shows and movies, including Best in Show, The Love Boat, Maybe It’s Me, and Everybody Loves Raymond, just to name a few.
Sadly, Fred Willard passed away on May 15, 2020, exactly four months after his character passed away of old age on Modern Family. It was a complete coincidence, according to the writers. While Fred appeared much frailer than in previous episodes, nobody on the production staff could have predicted his death. Rest in peace, Fred Willard.