Claire Dunphy
Encyclopedia
Claire Dunphy is a fictional character
on the American
television series Modern Family
. She is portrayed by Julie Bowen
.
Claire is the daughter of Jay, Mitchell's older sister, and the overprotective mother of the Dunphy family and its three very different kids. She was once a wild-child who made a lot of mistakes over the years, and fearful that her mistakes could be made by her children, she works hard to try and help them avoid said mistakes. She is often exhausted from stress created by her family but is still a loving mother. When it comes to her kids she has difficulty controlling Haley's independence coupled with her irresponsibility, Alex's manipulative nature, and Luke's lack of common sense. She is seen as an experienced parent by Cameron and Mitchell so she is called upon for her parenting advice. She enjoys running and reading. Claire is also the most active family member when organizing family get-togethers. As alluded to in several episodes, namely season two episode The Kiss
, as a teenager, Claire was a wild child growing up.
Julie Bowen has received extensive praise for her portrayal of Claire. In 2011, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role. She was also nominated in 2010.
In Hawaii
, Claire explains that Phil begged her to marry him, and that Haley was conceived before their marriage, most likely a result of her promiscuous teenage years. In Strangers on a Treadmill
, we learn that Claire does not think Phil is funny, though she eventually does by the end of the episode.
Claire originally did not support her brother Mitchell being gay
, but eventually came to support him after seeing how great of a couple he and Cameron were. Mitchell has said that Claire was bossy and mean growing up, although she later revealed that she did everything she did to spare Mitchell from being tormented by his peers, going so far as to quit their figure skating
team, right before a big competition, which Mitchell was angry about and held a grudge for until the episode En Garde
.
Phil once made a bet with Claire, who is not good with technology, that if he could teach Haley to use a simple television set, the family could keep it. Phil was able to teach Haley by telling her that Claire thought she couldn't do it
, and that he was teaching her for all the times Claire told her that she was right, but Haley knew that she was wrong. Haley eventually did learn with this motivation, and then went on the teach Claire instead of Phil.
episodes, My Funky Valentine
and Bixby's Back
, Claire made up an alter ego
, Julianna, to go role playing with Phil, who took on the alter ego of Clive Bixby (where the name for the latter episode was derived). Both of their attempts to go role playing were disastrous and ended in either Phil or Claire's embarrassment.
, seen in the episode "Family Portrait
". According to Phil, "when everybody else sees something beautiful, all she sees is the teeny-tiny flaw." She is almost always paired with Phil or Haley to drive a storyline.
Claire is a stay at home mom. She revealed in the episode Moon Landing
that she was once heading for a successful career in hospitality management before becoming pregnant with Haley. She is often bothered by the success of her past co-workers, but later realizes her family is more important.
Claire is good at dealing with her kids; numerous times in the series she immediately sees through Luke's lying and Haley's manipulations. She is the most creatively active member of the family, and organizes many family and school events. Mitchell and Cameron often go to her for parenting advice for raising Lily.
, during Luke's birthday party, that there be a craft table where kids can make comb sheaths. Nobody visited the table besides her brother Mitchell during the entire party.
Claire enjoys reading, biking and running. In the episode "Run for Your Wife", Claire demonstrates that she can beat Phil in a race.
Julie Bowen's performance was praised by Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly
who said, "Bowen’s Claire could have been a blank blonde cipher. Far from it: Bowen’s wide array of silent gazes at the camera, her slow-burns at her clan’s bad behavior, and her ability to freak out without seeming nutso crazy makes her an essential, stand-out part of TV’s best freshman ensemble cast." For the role of Claire, Bowen was nominated in 2010 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series
, for the episode My Funky Valentine
; she won the Emmy in 2011 for the episode Strangers on a Treadmill
. Bowen was also nominated for Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, but ultimately lost to an actress from another freshman show, Glee
's Lea Michele
. She is also currently nominated for Quick Change Artist: Impressive Acting Range at the TV.con Now Awards for changing from Ed
, an NBC
drama, to Modern Family
, an ABC
sitcom.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series Modern Family
Modern Family
Modern Family is an American television comedy series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, which debuted on ABC on September 23, 2009. Lloyd and Levitan serve as showrunner and executive producers, under their Levitan-Lloyd Productions label...
. She is portrayed by Julie Bowen
Julie Bowen
Julie Bowen is an American film and television actress. She played Carol Vessey on Ed and Denise Bauer on Boston Legal. She is best known for playing Claire Dunphy on the sitcom Modern Family, for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2011...
.
Claire is the daughter of Jay, Mitchell's older sister, and the overprotective mother of the Dunphy family and its three very different kids. She was once a wild-child who made a lot of mistakes over the years, and fearful that her mistakes could be made by her children, she works hard to try and help them avoid said mistakes. She is often exhausted from stress created by her family but is still a loving mother. When it comes to her kids she has difficulty controlling Haley's independence coupled with her irresponsibility, Alex's manipulative nature, and Luke's lack of common sense. She is seen as an experienced parent by Cameron and Mitchell so she is called upon for her parenting advice. She enjoys running and reading. Claire is also the most active family member when organizing family get-togethers. As alluded to in several episodes, namely season two episode The Kiss
The Kiss (Modern Family)
"The Kiss" is the second episode of the second season of the American sitcom Modern Family and the 26th episode overall. The episode aired September 29, 2010, and was written by Abraham Higginbotham and directed by Scott Ellis. The episode also featured guest starred Aaron Sanders as Jeremy, Alex's...
, as a teenager, Claire was a wild child growing up.
Julie Bowen has received extensive praise for her portrayal of Claire. In 2011, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role. She was also nominated in 2010.
Phil's Overview
Phil loves Claire, but thinks she can be naggy and overbearing. He disapproves of her strict style of parenting, and thinks she is too up-tight about unnecessary things. Claire often refers to Phil as "the kid [she's] married to." Claire's parenting styles are a reflection of her teenage years, which she, as well as her father, have confirmed were wild. She tries hard to prevent this same fate from happening to her children, mainly Haley.In Hawaii
Hawaii (Modern Family)
"Hawaii" is the twenty-third episode of Modern Family on the first season. The episode originally premiered on May 12, 2010 on American Broadcasting Company ....
, Claire explains that Phil begged her to marry him, and that Haley was conceived before their marriage, most likely a result of her promiscuous teenage years. In Strangers on a Treadmill
Strangers on a Treadmill
"Strangers on a Treadmill" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American sitcom, Modern Family. The episode originally aired October 13, 2010 on American Broadcasting Company...
, we learn that Claire does not think Phil is funny, though she eventually does by the end of the episode.
Jay and Mitchell's Overview
Jay does not express his love for Claire and Mitchell very well. Claire says he has always had trouble expressing his love. Jay and Claire's relationship was strained during her teenage years, during which Jay reveals she was once found by the cops naked with her boyfriend after a party.Claire originally did not support her brother Mitchell being gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
, but eventually came to support him after seeing how great of a couple he and Cameron were. Mitchell has said that Claire was bossy and mean growing up, although she later revealed that she did everything she did to spare Mitchell from being tormented by his peers, going so far as to quit their figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
team, right before a big competition, which Mitchell was angry about and held a grudge for until the episode En Garde
En Garde (Modern Family)
"En Garde" is the seventh episode of the ABC series Modern Family. It premiered on ABC in the United States on November 4, 2009. In the episode, Manny takes up fencing and he is quite talented. Jay is very proud of Manny, which stirs up resentment in Mitchell...
.
Haley's Overview
Haley and her mother have a strained relationship. Claire tries to be a good mother to Haley, mainly to prevent Haley from behaving the same way as she did. Haley does not like this, as she is often not allowed to go out with friends because of it. Claire also does not approve of Haley's relationship with her lover, Dylan.Phil once made a bet with Claire, who is not good with technology, that if he could teach Haley to use a simple television set, the family could keep it. Phil was able to teach Haley by telling her that Claire thought she couldn't do it
Reverse psychology
Reverse psychology is a technique involving the advocacy of a belief or behavior that is opposite to the one desired, with the expectation that this approach will encourage the subject of the persuasion to do what actually is desired: the opposite of what is suggested...
, and that he was teaching her for all the times Claire told her that she was right, but Haley knew that she was wrong. Haley eventually did learn with this motivation, and then went on the teach Claire instead of Phil.
Physical appearance and typical attire
Claire generally wears what Haley and Alex refer to as "mom clothes." She generally wears blouses and jeans. On the show's Valentine's DayValentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
episodes, My Funky Valentine
My Funky Valentine
"My Funky Valentine" is the fifteenth episode of first season of Modern Family. It premiered on ABC on February 10, 2010.-Plot:Phil and Claire are arranging their Valentine's date at their usual restaurant, but after being shocked by Dylan's present for Haley, they decide to instead spending the...
and Bixby's Back
Bixby's Back
"Bixby's Back" is the fourteenth episode of the American comedy television series, Modern Familys second season and the 38th episode overall. It originally aired February 9, 2011 on the American Broadcasting Company...
, Claire made up an alter ego
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
, Julianna, to go role playing with Phil, who took on the alter ego of Clive Bixby (where the name for the latter episode was derived). Both of their attempts to go role playing were disastrous and ended in either Phil or Claire's embarrassment.
Quirks and personality traits
Claire is an extreme perfectionistPerfectionism (psychology)
Perfectionism, in psychology, is a belief that a state of completeness and flawlessness can and should be attained. In its pathological form, perfectionism is a belief that work or output that is anything less than perfect is unacceptable...
, seen in the episode "Family Portrait
Family Portrait (Modern Family)
"Family Portrait" is the twenty-fourth episode and the season finale of the first season of Modern Family. It originally premiered May 19, 2010 on American Broadcasting Company ....
". According to Phil, "when everybody else sees something beautiful, all she sees is the teeny-tiny flaw." She is almost always paired with Phil or Haley to drive a storyline.
Claire is a stay at home mom. She revealed in the episode Moon Landing
Moon Landing (Modern Family)
"Moon Landing" is the fourteenth episode of the first season of Modern Family. The episode was originally scheduled to premiere on ABC on January 27, 2010, but it was preempted by the State of the Union address and pushed back a week to February 3, 2010....
that she was once heading for a successful career in hospitality management before becoming pregnant with Haley. She is often bothered by the success of her past co-workers, but later realizes her family is more important.
Claire is good at dealing with her kids; numerous times in the series she immediately sees through Luke's lying and Haley's manipulations. She is the most creatively active member of the family, and organizes many family and school events. Mitchell and Cameron often go to her for parenting advice for raising Lily.
Interests
Along with Phil, Claire enjoys what Phil refers to in the episode "Our Children, Ourselves" as "cheesy cinema". Claire enjoys crafts, insisting in the episode FizboFizbo
"Fizbo" is the ninth episode of the first season of the American comedy series, Modern Family. It originally premiered on American Broadcasting Company in the United States on November 25, 2009...
, during Luke's birthday party, that there be a craft table where kids can make comb sheaths. Nobody visited the table besides her brother Mitchell during the entire party.
Claire enjoys reading, biking and running. In the episode "Run for Your Wife", Claire demonstrates that she can beat Phil in a race.
Reception
Claire is often referred to as the show's "straight woman". Julie Bowen has received much praise and multiple awards and nominations for her role.Julie Bowen's performance was praised by Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
who said, "Bowen’s Claire could have been a blank blonde cipher. Far from it: Bowen’s wide array of silent gazes at the camera, her slow-burns at her clan’s bad behavior, and her ability to freak out without seeming nutso crazy makes her an essential, stand-out part of TV’s best freshman ensemble cast." For the role of Claire, Bowen was nominated in 2010 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series
This is a list of winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.-Superlatives:-1950s:*1953: Vivian Vance - I Love Lucy as Ethel Mertz** Audrey Meadows - The Jackie Gleason Show as Alice Kramden...
, for the episode My Funky Valentine
My Funky Valentine
"My Funky Valentine" is the fifteenth episode of first season of Modern Family. It premiered on ABC on February 10, 2010.-Plot:Phil and Claire are arranging their Valentine's date at their usual restaurant, but after being shocked by Dylan's present for Haley, they decide to instead spending the...
; she won the Emmy in 2011 for the episode Strangers on a Treadmill
Strangers on a Treadmill
"Strangers on a Treadmill" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American sitcom, Modern Family. The episode originally aired October 13, 2010 on American Broadcasting Company...
. Bowen was also nominated for Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, but ultimately lost to an actress from another freshman show, Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
's Lea Michele
Lea Michele
Lea Michele Sarfati , known professionally as Lea Michele, is an American actress and singer. Michele began working professionally as a child actress on Broadway in productions such as Ragtime and Les Misérables. She originated the role of Wendla in the musical Spring Awakening and currently plays...
. She is also currently nominated for Quick Change Artist: Impressive Acting Range at the TV.con Now Awards for changing from Ed
Ed (TV series)
Ed is an NBC television program co-produced by David Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated, NBC Productions, and Viacom Productions that aired from 2000 to 2004....
, an NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
drama, to Modern Family
Modern Family
Modern Family is an American television comedy series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, which debuted on ABC on September 23, 2009. Lloyd and Levitan serve as showrunner and executive producers, under their Levitan-Lloyd Productions label...
, an ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
sitcom.