India, March 31 -- Despite eventually becoming a fan-favorite as Phil Dunphy and winning two Emmys for the role, actor Ty Burrell had to work hard to convince ABC that he was the right fit. His initial audition did not go as planned. He revealed that his first audition for Modern Family didn't go well-executives even thought he wasn't funny.

"I really flopped the first test," he admitted to Jesse Tyler Ferguson on the Dinner's on Me podcast, explaining that he was too "stiff", and that the feedback from executives was harsh. "'He's not funny,'" Ty recalled them saying, before joking, "And some people still feel that way."

For many actors, such a reaction would have meant the end of the road, but Ty was fortunate to have strong advocates...