If you are a Modern Family fan, you might already know the classic Phil Dunphy line, “Wtf: Why the Face?” His awkward attempt at being the “cool dad” quickly became a TV classic. It’s awkward, goofy, and undeniably Phil. But did you know that the line wasn’t actually written by the show’s creators? And it wasn’t even Ty Burrell who first delivered it.

That’s right, the line came from a “very funny actor,” the actor from the hit show Firefly. This actor didn’t get the part of Phil Dunphy but gave us the line that made us all laugh and cringe simultaneously. Here’s how a little improv led to one of Modern Family’s most unforgettable lines.

Ty Burrell in Modern Family | Credit: ABC Ty Burrell’s most iconic line from Modern Family came from an actor who didn’t get the role

In television history,...