10 Best Jay Pritchett moments from Modern Family

Jay Pritchett is a cynical and sarcastic person who sometimes dons a mean character in Modern Family, which will have you laughing at almost every dialogue (read: dad joke) he delivers. But underneath that grumpy, tough-guy look, he's got a heart of gold and will do anything for his equally hilarious and one-of-a-kind family. Played by Ed O’Neill, Jay’s character is truly made to stand out in the series. His experience as a loving husband, a dutiful father, a strict father-in-law, and a caring grandfather captures the ups and downs of modern relationships. This old-school, patriarchal business tycoon has given us some of the most humorous as well as heartwarming moments throughout the 11 seasons of Modern Family. Here are 10 such times Jay Pritchett will either make you laugh or make your heart grow fonder of him.

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1. A Christmas misadventure (Season 5, Episode 10)

In Season 5 Episode 10, Jay and Manny set out to cut their own Christmas tree instead of getting a store-bought one. The day soon turns into a hilarious adventure as Jay’s failed attempts to bring down the tree, along with his sarcastic comments, have everyone rolling with laughter. Like the time he says, “Trees are like women; the best ones make you work just a little bit harder,” and then goes on to get his axe stuck in the trunk and ultimately broken. To this, Manny mockingly replies, “She’s just not that into you.” After a bunch of failed experiments, when a pure coincidence finally knocks down the tree, Jay’s desire to hold onto meaningful family traditions comes true.

2. Jay the Disney Prince (Season 3, Episode 22)

Jay might act rough and tough on the outside, but inside, he is a warm, mushy soul. The best example of this softer side of his character is when he sees Gloria struggling in her high heels at Disneyland and gets her a pair of comfortable shoes. He had already warned her about the amount of walking they'd have to do in the park, but Gloria, being Gloria, could never give up fashion for comfort. And even though her stubbornness wouldn't let her admit that the heels were a terrible idea, Jay, in the most heartfelt manner, tells her, “I’m in pain just thinking you’re in pain,” as he gently slides the shoes onto her feet. This scene makes us fall in love with him again and again, and we can't help but admit that he truly stood up as Gloria’s Disney Prince.

3. Jay showing up as a father (Season 1, Episode 2)

Jay wasn't very good at making top-tier declarations of love. His way of expressing affection was often through actions rather than words. Even though he was hard on Mitch, Claire, Joe, and his stepson Manny, he never deterred from the responsibilities of a father. In Season 1, Episode 2, as Manny is looking forward to spending a day with his real dad, Jay has planned a wine trip to the country in a limousine for him and Gloria. However, Manny's father cancels at the last minute with some lame excuse. Jay, not wanting to upset Manny, who's eagerly waiting outside the house, tells him that his father’s flight got delayed and that he sent a limo for the three of them to spend a fun day together. It is a scene where Jay truly steals the show, especially with the line: “90% of being a dad is just showing up.”

4. Dancing with Lily (Season 3, Episode 24)

This is one of those rare moments when Jay steps out of his cranky character. Mitch and Cam get busy with the adoption agency, leaving Lily in the care of Jay and Manny on her dance recital day. When she gets cold feet at the last moment, Jay’s sincere attempts to convince her win our hearts. He assures her that her parents will love her just as much when the new baby arrives. In an iconic moment, when Jay asks Lily what it would take for him to get her on stage, she most adorably replies, “Come dance with me, Grandpa.” Even though Jay insists that it's never going to happen and hilariously tries to bribe her, we eventually see them both dancing together, and it remains one of the most heartwarming scenes in the entire show.

5. Jay walks Mitch down the aisle (Season 5, Episode 24)

Jay was not entirely accepting of Mitchell’s sexuality and his relationship with Cam from the very start. He believed in old-school, conservative ideologies and thus, had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that his son was gay. However, in a turn of events and a change of heart, Jay’s character truly outdid himself when he walked Mitchell down the aisle on his wedding day. After the event had already been a disaster twice, Jay took matters into his own hands to give his son the perfect wedding he deserved. It is one of the most unexpectedly touching moments, particularly when Jay tells Mitch, “Actually, I thought you and I would take a little walk,” and then gently takes his arm and leads him down the aisle.

6. Jay’s love for Stella

Jay’s over-the-top affection for his four-legged buddy, Stella, is one of the most hilarious dynamics in Modern Family. For example, in Season 3, Episode 3, Gloria, feeling uneasy with Jay letting Stella sleep in their bed, asks him, “How come when Manny has nightmares, you don’t let him sneak into the bed?” Jay simply avoids the question. And to make it even funnier, Manny, from under their bed, solemnly demands, “Answer the question, Jay!” Another instance of Jay’s overprotectiveness towards Stella is when she jumps into the pool in Season 3, Episode 13. Gloria, although all decked out and ready to go out, jumps in after the dog to save her. But Jay grabs a towel and, to his shivering wife's surprise, starts wiping the dog. It’s almost like Stella is the other woman in their marriage.

7. Closets (Season 6, Episode 17)

Jay had been in the closet business for the longest time, so it was only natural for him to become obsessed with them. In Season 6, Episode 17, when a competing brand launches a flashy advertisement about closets, Jay sees it as a challenge to keep Pritchett Closets & Blinds in the spotlight. As he is hellbent on re-shooting an 80s commercial with the cheesy tagline, “Closet? You'll Love It,” Claire wants to shoot something fresh. The entire episode is hilariously ironic, as it showcases not just his usual stubbornness but also his vulnerable side. The way he tries to cling to his traditional, old-school methods proves that it is not just about nostalgia, but also about how he feels out of touch with modern times.

8. Hits Phil with his toy plane (Season 1, Episode 3)

Jay had always been stern towards Phil, no matter how hard Phil tried to win him over, and was even resentful because Phil married his first child, Claire. Fathers are naturally a little possessive about their daughters. Thus, in an accidentally intentional situation, Jay hits Phil with his toy plane. As Jay unwillingly takes Phil along on a model airplane excursion, Phil keeps asking Jay if he can have a go at it. But Jay, being the ever-irritable father-in-law, plans to shut him up in a slightly unpleasant way. He asks Phil to hold the hoop for him as he flies the plane through it, but instead of a clean pass, he deliberately crashes the plane into Phil. However, the old man apologizes later and even tells Phil that he loves him, and the whole family joins in for a heartfelt moment. Classic Jay!

9. Therapy gone wrong (Season 7, Episode 8)

Jay Pritchett is known for his old-fashioned ways of dealing with everything, especially emotions. Therefore, when the family comes together for a joint therapy session, he finds it extremely difficult to participate. The entire episode is hilariously ironic, as it delves deep into the complexities of human relationships, and Jay prefers staying at arm’s length from such emotional things. He initially grumbles over missing his football match for this and even manages to fool everyone once or twice so he can go watch his game in the attic. Eventually, we see Jay opening up slowly, and we realize that beneath that gruff exterior is a soft-hearted man who was taught to suppress his feelings since childhood. Along with his perfectly timed sarcasm, this episode has to be one of Jay's best moments.

10. A not-so-peaceful birthday (Season 1, Episodes 22-23)

Jay’s desire to spend a perfect birthday in solitude, reading his novel, and maybe spending time with his wife in a big suite in Hawaii, is completely ruined when Gloria surprises him with the fact that she has bought tickets for the entire family to join the vacation. After a series of mishaps and misunderstandings, Jay laments that it is probably his worst birthday ever. But then, like always, he realizes that he wouldn't want to spend his best days any other way. He will always have a soft spot for his family, no matter how flawed and chaotic they are, and it is this family drama that he secretly thrives on. Even though his frustration at being denied a peaceful birthday is evident from his brutal sarcasm, deep down, he kind of loves the unpredictability of his family.