Ed O’Neill has responded to Craig T. Nelson’s comments about passing on Ed’s “Modern Family” role due to the size of the paycheck.
“I think ABC wanted him at the beginning and I think they were negotiating because… they came to me after they couldn’t, [for] whatever reason, they couldn’t make his deal,” Ed told Access Hollywood on the Screen Actors Guild Awards red carpet on Sunday in Los Angeles.
“I just said, ‘Well, make it ‘cause I liked it,’ and I had a feeling about the show and I just had a feeling about it and so I was fortunate, you know, that Craig couldn’t come to terms,” the seasoned former “Married… With Children” actor continued.
Last week Craig spoke candidly about his early involvement with the critically acclaimed ABC series, which took home the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, during an appearance on Access Hollywood Live.
“I really wanted to do ‘Modern Family’ and I really liked the script and I liked the people. I just said, ‘You know what? I’ve been doing this too long.’ We’re in the middle of a cutback here, ladies and gentlemen, in Hollywood and salaries have gone way, way down… I just felt disrespected to tell you the truth,” Craig told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover.
Ed told Access he thinks the casting situation worked out just fine for everyone.
“He has a good thing going now on… ‘Parenthood’ and he’s got a movie coming out,” the SAG winner continued. “Craig’s doing fine. Craig’s doing fine.”
See more of the with “Modern Family” star at the 2011 SAG Awards, HERE!
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