During an interview with Modern Family alum Jesse Tyler Ferguson, actress Judy Greer had an unexpected, very personal reason for passing on an audition that would have catapulted her into one of the most iconic television families. At one point, Greer got to audition for the role of Claire Dunphy, the loving, if often exasperated, mom on the hit sitcom Modern Family, probably best known for her role in 13 Going on 30 and her work in Arrested Development. However, Greer, now 49, reflected on her decision to decline the audition at a time when she was in her early 30s and already beginning to take on more diverse roles in films and television.
The “America’s Mom” Dilemma
Greer’s decision to pass on the role of Claire, which eventually went to Julie Bowen and earned her two Emmys, was not born out of disdain for the show or the character. Rather, it was a matter of concern over being pigeonholed into a certain kind of role that she felt might limit her career choices. Greer had already noticed a trend in her career where she was being cast increasingly in roles dealing with motherhood, but at the time, she felt the prospect of “America’s mom” did not come across as very promising.
In the podcast, Greer talked candidly about the deliberation process she’d undergone with this decision: “This was a time in my career when I was starting to [play characters with children].” She wanted to be seen as being different, whereas playing the part of a mother in this show would mean she’d been shown in those stereotypical mom roles so that it can become cemented into their minds. She went on to elaborate, saying, “In a movie, people kind of see it and then they forget. In a TV show, it’s just like, you’re a mom.”
This insight reveals much about the nuances of an actor’s career choices, particularly for someone like Greer, who was keen on exploring different roles and genres. To her, taking on the role of a mother in a television series was a commitment that would belittle her versatility as an actress. She loved the travel and variety that came with film roles, and the predictability of a long-running TV role—especially one centered around family—did not appeal to her at the time.
The Constraints of Fame
Greer’s hesitation also stemmed from concerns about the lifestyle implications of playing a mother on television. She explained that the role of Claire would have required her to be seen as a “mom” consistently, and it would have come with lifestyle changes she was not yet ready to embrace. At the stage that Greer was at in her career, she was enjoying the freedom that her film work allowed: travel, character variety, and not being nailed down into the mold of one specific type of role.
“I like traveling a lot, and I like doing all these movies, and I like going to all these places, and I like meeting all these people,” she said. At that stage, she did not want the constraints of a television show to impinge on the adventurous, dynamic career she was building. Not ready to play a settled, stay-at-home mom on screen when she had already received other offers that promise much more freedom.
The What-Ifs: Would She Have Gotten the Role?
Though convinced, Greer candidly admitted that it was anybody’s guess if she would even have been cast for the character of Claire had she decided to audition. She admitted that the whole scenario could have ended differently, noting, “Who knows if I would have even gotten it anyway?” This statement is a reminder that career decisions are often made with uncertainty, and the path not taken is always filled with ‘what-ifs.’ Nonetheless, Greer seems content with the decision she made, even though Modern Family went on to become a cultural phenomenon.
Ironically, though, Greer did not get the role of Claire, but she managed to leave her mark on the show anyway. She guest-starred in the first season of Modern Family as Denise, an ex-girlfriend of Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell), Julie Bowen’s onscreen husband. The guest appearance gave Greer an opportunity to be a part of the Modern Family world without the heavy commitment that comes with being a series regular.
Reflection and Career Growth
Looking in hindsight, Greer now sees this decision from another perspective. To her, taking on motherly duties would have meant that it would be burdening and limiting, whereas her evolving career lay just up ahead. Now in her late 40s, Greer has gotten a chance to look into the Modern Family experience from a place of professional maturity. It kept her off the dependency of sitcom television, enabling her to go further with more significant roles in films such as Ant-Man and Halloween Kills, as well as on television in shows like Reboot.
The wisdom behind that decision is reflected in Greer’s career trajectory since then. While Modern Family was undoubtedly a major success for Bowen and the entire cast, Greer’s journey has been marked by a wide variety of roles that have showcased her range as an actress. She has continued to balance both comedy and drama, carving out a niche for herself as a versatile character actress who can handle everything from quirky sidekicks to more intense roles.
The Bigger Picture: Navigating Hollywood’s Expectations
Greer’s decision was a powerful commentary on the pressures women face in Hollywood. At the time she was offered the Modern Family audition, the industry’s tendency to typecast actresses into specific roles, especially as mothers, was even more pronounced than it is today. Greer especially did not want to be pegged for the belief that women could only succeed in TV roles playing a mother on a family show when there was such great opportunity for reinvention in film.
Furthermore, Greer’s aversion to assuming such a set role speaks to the larger discussion of the lack of multidimensional roles available for women in Hollywood, especially those actresses over 30. She made the conscious and challenging choice to pursue other roles that allowed her to delve into other facets of her craft, and that decision allowed her to bypass being relegated to the predictable limitations associated with being labeled “America’s mom.
Conclusion: A Career of Choices
Judy Greer’s decision to forgo the audition for Modern Family was professional but also personal. She chose flexibility, difference, and freedom over the continuity and predictability of a long-running sitcom. By choosing this path, she let herself in for a career that saw her shine in a whole host of different roles through film and television. Though Modern Family went on to become one of the most iconic TV shows of the 21st century, Greer’s journey has continued to inspire other actors to make decisions that best serve their unique paths in the industry.
Greer’s story serves to remind us that success in Hollywood is not just about taking the most popular role but is about making thoughtful choices that align with one’s values and vision for the future.
