Jesse Eisenberg’s Hilarious Guest Role On Modern Family

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Jesse Eisenberg is known for his movies, but many consider his appearance on Modern Family to be one of his best roles. The show featured a lot of fantastic celebrity guests during its run, including Edward Norton playing a bassist in a made-up band and Matthew Broderick as a divorced gay man who accidentally ends up on a date with Phil Dunphy after a series of funny mix-ups.

One of the funniest characters from Modern Family who doesn’t get enough attention is Asher, Cam and Mitch’s critical neighbor with a penchant for green, wonderfully played by Eisenberg. In Season 5, Episode 12, “Under Pressure,” Asher moves in and immediately begins to criticize Mitchell for things like overwatering the lawn and using too much packing material.

Jesse Eisenberg Was One Of Modern Family’s Funniest Guest Stars

Even just as an idea, Asher is one of the funniest characters Modern Family ever created. The topic of environmentalism is perfect for comedy because many people can relate to the serious issue of ecological collapse, the pull towards easy convenience instead of eco-friendly choices, and the sometimes judgmental attitude of those who are very dedicated to being green. From the start, Asher had all the makings of a great comedic character.

A talented actor like Eisenberg can truly elevate even good material, making it exceptional. He’s not afraid to play characters people might not immediately like – as seen in his role as Mark Zuckerberg – and that willingness actually makes him very funny. Like comedic greats such as John Cleese, Danny McBride, and Melissa McCarthy, Eisenberg is comfortable being the subject of the joke himself.

Jesse Eisenberg and Jesse Tyler Ferguson have great chemistry on screen. Their scenes together allow Ferguson to shine as a relatable, dry-witted ordinary guy, while Eisenberg delivers a brilliantly accurate and humorous portrayal of a subtly hostile environmentalist.

Eisenberg’s Character Should’ve Come Back As A Recurring Nemesis For Mitchell

Recently on his podcast, Dinner’s on Me, Ferguson shared a story about Jesse Eisenberg being a fan of Modern Family. When Eisenberg appeared as a guest on the show, he requested a copy of the episode, but with his own scenes removed. Usually, actors ask for a copy that only includes their scenes.

It’s possible this is why we never saw Asher return, even though he could have been a great rival for Mitchell. I really would have enjoyed seeing their conflict play out over several episodes. However, it’s understandable that if Jesse Eisenberg prefers to watch Modern Family without seeing himself on screen, he’d likely keep his role on the show to a minimum.

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2026-01-05 07:07