Quick Facts About Greta Burrell
- Full Name: Gretchen Burrell
- Nickname: Greta
- Known For: Adopted daughter of Ty Burrell
- Parents: Ty Burrell and Holly Burrell
- Sibling: Frances Burrell
Greta Burrell is the younger adopted daughter of actor Ty Burrell and his wife Holly Burrell. While Ty Burrell became one of the most recognizable faces on American television through his role as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, he and Holly have consistently kept their daughters out of the public eye. Greta was adopted in 2012, and the family has maintained a quiet, grounded life away from Hollywood’s spotlight.
Who Is Greta Burrell?
Greta Burrell, born Gretchen Burrell, is a teenager and the younger of two daughters in the Burrell household. She was adopted by Ty and Holly Burrell in 2012. Because Greta is a minor, there is very little public information about her — and that is entirely by design. Both Ty and Holly have been vocal about wanting their children to have normal, private childhoods far removed from celebrity culture. Out of respect for Greta’s age and her parents’ wishes, this article focuses primarily on her family.
Greta Burrell’s Parents
Who Is Ty Burrell?
Tyler Gerald Burrell was born on August 22, 1967, in Grants Pass, Oregon. He grew up in Applegate Valley, a rural area in southern Oregon, before pursuing acting through formal training. Ty earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Penn State University and spent years working in theater before breaking into film and television.
Ty’s early screen credits include small roles in Black Hawk Down (2001), Dawn of the Dead (2004), and several guest spots on television. However, his career changed completely in 2009 when he was cast as Phil Dunphy in the ABC sitcom Modern Family. Phil — the well-meaning, goofy, endlessly enthusiastic father — quickly became one of the most beloved characters on television.
Modern Family ran for 11 seasons from 2009 to 2020, and Ty won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2011 and 2014). He was nominated five times total. The show itself won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series five years in a row from 2010 to 2014.
Beyond Modern Family, Ty has appeared in films such as Muppets Most Wanted (2014), Finding Dory (2016, voice role), and Storks (2016, voice role). He also starred in the Fox sitcom Duncanville as the voice of Jack Harris. Despite his success, Ty has been open about preferring a low-key lifestyle. After Modern Family ended, he and Holly chose to remain based in Utah rather than Los Angeles, prioritizing family life over constant industry presence.
Ty is also known for his business ventures outside of acting. He co-owns Bar X, a cocktail bar in Salt Lake City, and Beer Bar, a beer garden next door. These establishments reflect his connection to the local community in Utah.
Who Is Holly Burrell?
Holly Burrell (née Anne Holly Anne Sample) married Ty Burrell in 2000, well before his rise to fame on Modern Family. Holly is notoriously private and rarely appears in media. She has occasionally accompanied Ty to awards ceremonies and public events, but she has never pursued a public career of her own.
What is clear from interviews Ty has given over the years is that Holly plays a central role in their family. Ty has spoken in multiple interviews about how Holly keeps the family grounded and how they work together to give their daughters a stable, normal upbringing. The couple made a deliberate choice to raise their family in Salt Lake City, Utah, rather than in Los Angeles, to provide a quieter environment for their children.
The Burrell Family
Ty and Holly Burrell adopted their first daughter, Frances, on January 30, 2010. Two years later, they adopted Greta in 2012. Ty has spoken publicly about the adoption process, describing it as one of the most meaningful experiences of his life. In interviews, he has shared that becoming a father changed his perspective on everything, including his work.
The Burrell family is known for being extremely private. Unlike many celebrity families, Ty and Holly do not share photos of their daughters on social media. Ty has been intentional about this boundary, explaining in interviews that he wants Frances and Greta to grow up without the pressure of public attention. He has noted that his children did not choose to be in the public eye, and he feels a responsibility to protect their privacy until they are old enough to make those decisions for themselves.
The family splits their time between their home in Utah and other commitments related to Ty’s career. Their life in Salt Lake City allows the girls to attend school and participate in everyday activities without the constant intrusion that often comes with growing up in a celebrity household in Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Greta Burrell?
Greta Burrell, born Gretchen Burrell, is the younger adopted daughter of Modern Family actor Ty Burrell and his wife Holly. She was adopted in 2012 and is currently a teenager.
Does Ty Burrell have children?
Yes. Ty and Holly Burrell have two adopted daughters — Frances Burrell, adopted in January 2010, and Greta Burrell, adopted in 2012.
Where does the Burrell family live?
The Burrell family is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ty and Holly chose to raise their daughters there rather than in Los Angeles to provide a more grounded and private upbringing.
Why is there so little information about Greta Burrell?
Ty and Holly Burrell have been very intentional about keeping their daughters out of the public eye. They do not share photos or personal details about Frances or Greta, believing their children deserve to grow up without public scrutiny.
