Ed O'Neill Officially Joins 'Modern Family' Cast Lawsuit

Ed O'Neill has officially joined his Modern Family co-stars in suing producer 20th Century Fox Television to void his contract.

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In an amended complaint filed Thursday, the patriarch of the hit ABC series alleges his deal should be declared "illegal" because it violates California's prohibition on personal services contracts that last longer than seven years. O'Neil joins co-stars Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Sofia Vergara, all of whom filed suit on Tuesday.

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The move is not a surprise. Sources told THR on Tuesday that O'Neill, who is locked in the same salary dispute with 20th TV as his colleagues (though O'Neill currently makes about $105,000 per episode as opposed to the $65,000 that his co-stars earn), would join the case in solidarity.

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The move is not a surprise. Sources told THR on Tuesday that O'Neill, who is locked in the same salary dispute with 20th TV as his colleagues (though O'Neill currently makes about $105,000 per episode as opposed to the $65,000 that his co-stars earn), would join the case in solidarity. The six cast members are represented by Jeff McFarland at LA's Quinn Emanuel firm.

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As THR reported earlier today, representatives for the six cast members gathered at 2pm to meet with 20th TV chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden (as well as a rep from ABC, which airs the show and ultimately will pay some of the cast salaries). Sources say the meeting was productive but the cast has not agreed to new deals nor to drop the lawsuit, which many see as a harball negotiation tactic.

The non-O'Neill cast members want significant raises from what 20th offered on Monday: $150,000 per episode for the fourth season (plus a $50,000 bonus); $200,000 for the fifth season; and escalating money up to $325,000 for the ninth season of the Emmy-winning comedy.

Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com

Twitter: @THRMattBelloni