Jay Pritchett (2024)

Jason Francis "Jay" Pritchett is the patriarch of the Pritchett family. He is the father of Claire, Mitchell, and Joe. He is married to Gloria and is stepfather to Manny. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and is the founder and former CEO of Pritchett's Closets & Blinds.

Biography

Before the show

Jay was born on May 23, 1947 to Mr. and Mrs. Pritchett. He also has a sister, Becky, and a younger brother, Donnie. When Jay was 10 and Donnie was 8, a bully named Joey Calieri took Donnie's bicycle so Jay put Joey's head in the ice as revenge ("The Musical Man"). When Jay was 12, he sneaked off to the movies with his best friend Jim and after seeing Solomon and Sheba swore someday he would marry Gina Lollobrigida ("Boys' Night"). Jay lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis, during when he used to sleep with a butter knife under his pillow ("Travels With Scout"). Before he turned 18, he used a fake ID to enlist in the army unsuccessfully. ("Hit and Run").

Jay eventually would serve in the Vietnam War and have his navy training in Pensacola at age 18. The war emerged a considerable amount of prejudice to the Vietnamese in his heart. At Pensacola, he would then meet Charlotte, who was 31 at the time, and have his first sexual experience ("Goodnight Gracie").

Sometime later, Jay married DeDe Williams and together they have two children: Claire and Mitchell. They were married for 35 years until they divorced when they grew apart and DeDe left to find herself. She subsequently dated a woman named Dottie, which ended badly ("Election Day"). At 60, Jay married a muchyounger Colombian woman, (Gloria), who has a son, (Manny Delgado), from her previous marriage to Javier.

Personality

Overview

Being a war veteran, Jay is shown to be quite tough, somewhat strict, and manipulative in a sense. Now past his prime, he finds many of the things that his family do tedious, which he often expresses while sighing "Oh jeez". But despite all this, he is a decent man who cares about the welfare of his family. He is capable of reaching out to other people, and he becomes a shoulder for Manny to cry on when one of his girlfriends broke up with him (something he never would have done earlier).

Jay is supremely proud of his own career in closets and is respected by the majority of people he works for. He had a professional rivalry with his former friend Earl Chambers, and for most of their lives he suspected Earl of foul play whenever his name came up. When Earl dies, and leaves a message for Jay saying he'll see him in Hell, Jay mutters 'I look forward to it'. At one point, he admitted that he missed the drive that his rivalry with Earl gave him when the two of them were archenemies of business. Jay has a harsh work ethic a great deal of the time, often coming across as domineering and overly authoritative, but on several occasions Jay proves himself to be charismatic, approachable and, especially in his early years, energetic.

Jay has difficulty with being emotionally open with others. Mitchell remembers this factor painfully, as Jay was not as affectionate a father as he should have been, especially after Mitchell came out. It is often remarked that Jay attempted to turn Claire into the son he didn't have in Mitchell, resulting in her being boisterous and competitive, and in them even competing against each other over the most ridiculous things. Jay is aware of his shortcomings as a father with Mitch and Claire, but admits that he is proud of Mitchell and that he loves Claire's persistence and ambition.

People often perceive Jay as emotionally colorblind, but the truth could not be more different. He regrets his mistakes as a parent of his first children, and his relationship with DeDe, but the worst factor in this regard is his relationship with his own father. Jay's father was an extremely tough person, and as a young man Jay felt incessant pressure to impress him, but this got to a point that Jay suffered from his father's idea of masculinity. However, long after the man's death, Jay breaks down in tears after remembering that he (Jay) didn't even cry at his father's funeral, despite the man's impact on his life, and is haunted by the feeling that everyone else who attended thought Jay didn't love his father - the straw that breaks the camel's back in this scene is when Jay tearfully wonders if his father ever knew Jay loved him ("Clean Out Your Junk Drawer").

In comparison, Jay loved his mother dearly, as she was constantly there for him, and long after she died, he also broke down remembering when she stood up for him to an aggressive coach. ("Mother's Day")

Jay is also quite charismatic, which he attributes to his blue eyes. He claims that he is like catnip to sister-in-laws, as DeDe's sisters BeBe and CeCe, and Gloria's sister Sonia are attracted to him ("Valentine's Day 4: Twisted Sister").

Season Summaries

Occupations

Co-Owner of Closet Fornia

Formerly

During the early 1980s, Jay was the co-owner of a closet company called "Closet Fornia" alongside Earl Chambers. Their business was going very well, as Jay recalls that "maybe a celebrity or two" had come in to their company and "may or may have not bought a closet". However, the partnership soon ended when in 1984 Earl unceremoniously left and took all their clients with him. According to Jay, Earl had badmouthed him so Jay had to start all over again ("Won't You Be Our Neighbor"). Jay had carried a grudge against Earl ever since and they have a large rivalry.

Owner of Pritchett's Closets & Blinds

Co-owner (with Claire)

Jay is currently the owner of Pritchett's Closets & Blinds. He hired his daughter, Claire, to work for him ("First Days"). From being the owner of the closet company, it seems that it's given him a lot of money. He seems to be the wealthiest person in his family and has a large house. In Season 7, Jay hands down the business to his daughter, she takes over as the boss. He comes back to help out as he misses working there but is scared to tell Claire. Claire has been wanting him back for help, but was scared to ask him to.

Relationships

Family

Claire

Claire is Jay and DeDe's eldest child and only daughter. It was stated that Claire gets her competitiveness and tough attitude from her father ("Egg Drop"), encouraging her into sports and becoming daddy's girl ("After the Fire"). Their relationship was strained during her rebellious teenage years, during which Jay reveals she was once found by the cops swimming in her underwear with her boyfriend after a party ("The Kiss").

In the fourth season, Claire reveals she still finds Jay condescending and rude to her, but after overhearing Jay express his concern for Mitchell's well-being, she views him in a more positive light. Despite all their troubles, Claire is closer to her father because of his supportive attitude growing up. ("My Hero")

Mitchell

Mitchell is Jay's son. As Jay had trouble expressing his love to his children, it affected Mitchell greatly who was growing up in the closet. Jay had trouble being totally supportive of Mitchell and Mitchell had to come out to his father three times. This has led Mitchell to very much want to appeal to his father. Jay has recognized his mistakes with Mitchell and has tried to reflect better understanding with his stepson, Manny. Despite Mitchell's complaints, he learned patience in dealing with his father.

Mitchell is extremely touched when Jay provides his club as venue to Mitchell's wedding to show how much his son means to him, and offers to walk him down the aisle. ("The Wedding (Part 2)")

Jay also expressed that he is proud of his son. At one point, he thought back fondly on Mitchell having his first beer and the pride he felt about it.

Phil

Phil is Jay's son-in-law. Jay usually mistreats and antagonizes Phil and Phil always tries really hard to gain approval from Jay.

Whilst the coldness of their relationship is generally one-sided, Jay does not immediately hate or even dislike Phil but simply finds him tiresome. There have been instances when Phil stops trying hard and stops grovelling for approval does Jay begin to like him. He occasionally shows pride towards Phil for his accomplishments as a family man and a father and Phil never stops looking for approval from Jay.

Jay tells Phil that he likes him for taking good care of his family and thinks very highly of him, despite their differences. ("Come Fly with Me") According to Jay, he first met Phil while he was hiding outside the house waiting for Claire to come out. His granddaughter, Haley and her boyfriend are in the same position: Dylan is in the bushes outside, and Haley is inside. ("Great Expectations")

Jay introduces Phil as "Phil is my son-in-law," but Phil says it sounds like he is saying, "Phyllis, my son-in-law." Phil also complains that Jay says "Dumb-phy" instead of "Dunphy", which he actually does. ("Dance Dance Revelation") Phil once fixed Jay's printer and since it is Phil's only accomplishment with Jay, he brings it up every chance he gets. ("The Kiss")

To Jay's dismay, he accidentally told Phil that he loved him, but Phil was too busy and didn't hear it. ("After the Fire") They had an emotional moment in Snip when Jay expresses how he worries about having another kid and worries he's not sensitive enough.

Phil believes that the reason Phil and Jay's relationship hasn't grown a lot is because Jay payed the down payment for the Dunphy house and Phil never repaid the money as he didn't know. ("Grill, Interrupted")

Gloria

Gloria Pritchett is Jay's second wife. She is much younger than Jay which makes people sometimes think that he is her father. She has a son, Manny with her previous husband, Javier. Jay and Gloria got married 6 months before the start of the series and she gives birth to their son Joe in Season 4. Feisty and confident, Gloria thinks Jay is her match, which makes her attracted to him ("Two Monkeys and a Panda"). Jay continually struggles to cope with Gloria's insistence to preserve their Colombian traditions so they tend to compromise with the rest of the family.

He used to dislike Columbian traditions, to Gloria's dismay, but he grew more tolerant to the ideas.

Cam

Cam is Jay's son-in-law. They particularly bond because of their shared interest in sports. Jay mentions he used to be a quarterback and Cam was a center.

Cam reveals that he kept the cork and wine bottle from when they watched their first game together to commemorate. Jay is also shown helping out Mitch and Cam in building and fixing around the house. ("Express Christmas")

Manny

Manny is Jay's stepson from his marriage to Gloria. The two have become closer throughout the series, after Jay's deep concern for Manny becomes apparent. Jay is fully supportive of Manny in sports (fencing and later football), although being a romantic, Manny prefers poetry and art.

At the start of the series two seem uncomfortable with each other, and it is implied that Manny isn't very fond of Jay, partly because Manny thinks very highly of his adventurous father, paying Jay less attention. ("The Bicycle Thief") Manny later reveals that for the first month he knew Jay, he didn't think Jay had a chance with his mother and did not bother to know his name. ("Two Monkeys and a Panda")

During Jay and Gloria's wedding, Manny chose the song for their dance, "Beauty and the Beast". ("Treehouse")

Joe

Joe is Jay's son with Gloria. Jay consistently worries he might miss milestones of Joe growing up as he did with Claire and Mitchell, saying he might not have another chance.

Jay has to take cover for Gloria at Joe's pre-school, The Learnin' Barn, while Jay starts to hate the fact that while his child is at school, he also has to be there, as he's covering for Gloria. Jay has a tough time trying to connect with Joe while he is there, as he calls out for Joe at some point and Joe runs past him, Jay then states he feels like Bruce Willis in The Sixth Sense. Later on we see that Jay tells Gloria that he feels like Joe didn't even notice or care he was there. However, their son comes running in, when Gloria asks how his day at school went, he positively answers saying it was great because his Daddy was there, and they now call a kid, who Jay picks on while he is there; when the kid starts a fight with him, "Big Ears". Jay dismisses any of his concerns when he realizes his son did actually have fun because he was there. ("The Verdict")

Haley

Haley is Jay's Granddaughter. Despite Haley not spending much time with her grandpa, they still seem to enjoy each other's company.

Alex

Alex is Jay's Granddaughter. She was interested in spending time with Jay when Haley wasn't. Jay told Alex that, when Jay isn't able to be the leader of the family anymore, he wants Alex to lead, showing belief in her capabilities.

Luke

Luke is Jay's Grandson. When the principal said that it's hard to get along when one kid is a little different, Jay interpreted Luke as the different kid. Despite this, Luke and Jay seem to have great relationship.

Lily

Lily is Jay's Adoptive Granddaughter that was born in Vietnam. Jay was initially against the idea of adopting Lily, but then said, "She's one of us now. Let's see the pot sticker." ("Pilot")

Friendships

Vincent

Vincent is Jay's best friend introduced in season 1. As everyone calls him Shorty, his real name is never mentioned until the Season 5 episode "Three Dinners", where Jay reveals that Mitchell's middle name is named after Shorty, as he stood by Jay when Mitchell was born one month premature. He eventually moves to Costa Rica with her wife Darlene, promising to call Jay every day. Shorty has a tendency to show interest in things that gay men are usually stereotyped as liking, such as outfits, picnics, and other men's physique.

Mitchell meets Shorty and thinks he is "gay as they come". When Jay tries to confront Shorty, he says he is not gay and likes only clothes because his father was a tailor. ("Fifteen Percent") Mitchell reveals that he knew Shorty wasn't gay and was just trying to get Jay back for calling Cam Mitchell's friend.

Other Family

Jay's parents have both passed away, and his brother Donnie is living with his own family (possibly in Buffalo as Jay is not sure). He and his sister Becky were estranged but he reached out after she had a stroke.

Mr. Pritchett

Mr. Pritchett is Jay's father, we don't actually know his name. His father fought for the U.S., indicating that he may have fought in World War II and was mentioned to be emotionally reserved with Jay. He died at the age of 63.

It is very apparent that he took after his father in being a tough and distant man. Jay regrets not crying at his father's wedding, as it gave the impression that he didn't love him when he did.

Mrs. Pritchett

Mrs. Pritchett is Jay's mother, we don't actually know her name either. His mother was implied to be very affectionate with her children. Jay had written her a poem for Mother's Day when he was 9 which she kept in her cookbook.

Jay tells his family the story when his mother came charging out of the stands during a game to defend him when his Little League coach was yelling at him. Jay tears up while telling the story, sobbing "you only get one mom". ("Mother's Day")

Donnie

Donnie is Jay's younger brother. He is first introduced when he calls Jay on his birthday and reminds him that he is now the same age as their father when he died, which worries Jay. ("Hawaii") Jay and Donnie seem to show their affection to each other by brotherly insults and sometimes even by wrestling each other for sport.

When Donnie visits Jay and Gloria, Jay finds out that Donnie has prostate cancer. Though the two seem to always trade banters, they share a deep love for each other, as seen when Jay apologizes for treating Donnie differently after he found out about his illness. ("The Musical Man")

Becky

Becky is Jay's sister. We don't see much of their relationship, the only thing we ever hear about them is that their father only ever kissed him goodnight because he mistook him for her. ("The Kiss") We also know that they did not have a great relationship.

DeDe

DeDe Pritchett is Jay's first wife with whom he has two children with, Claire and Mitchell. DeDe is known to appear a little crazy and inappropriate at times, which she admits later is due to her insecurities with Gloria and Jay's new life. Jay dreads and tries to avoid DeDe meeting Gloria as the former tends to always cause trouble.

It is said that, while married, Jay and DeDe grew apart and argued over little things. After he took their children to Disneyland, he decided to tell DeDe it was over. However. after hearing the Robotic Lincoln's speech, he realized staying with his kids is more important than leaving his wife, so he waited until they were all grown up. ("Disneyland")

DeDe says that Jay was always absent while they were raising their children, which Jay admits was because he was busy providing for their family who had very little at the time. They divorced after 35 years of marriage. Jay describes his marriage to DeDe being, though "perfect in paper", it was also like serving time (prison wise). ("Arrested")

After DeDe passed away, Jay seems unfazed, but he later gets emotional once he talks about his sandwich and about how much Dede appreciated a good sandwich. We learn more about Jay and DeDe's relationship back when they still loved each other. This ultimately symbolize they continue to care for even after the divorce.

Trivia

• His character was likely based on Marty Crane of Frasier (a television show with many of the same creators). Among other similarities, both characters:
  • Are old patriarch figures with traditional values
  • Have sons who don't conform to their image of masculinity
  • Have small dogs who (despite not expecting to like) they are very affectionate towards
  • Are veterans of the Vietnam War
• He and the other parents (Gloria, Phil, Claire, Mitch, and Cam) are the only characters who have appeared in every episode.
• He may have stayed in Ohio for a while, as he asks a woman in Florida who seems familiar to him if she had been there ("Goodnight Gracie").
• Jay can be seen reading a newspaper that was previously seen in 'Married... with Children', which he starred in.
• Jay's father was 63 when he died (Hawaii)
• He likes constructing model airplanes and keeps a collection in a cabinet that is always locked.
• He likes Fire and Ice, Gloria's favorite television drama.
• Jay seems to enjoy sports and fishing, as seen in various episodes.
• His favorite song is "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight & the Pips ("The Late Show").
• Although his name is supposedly "Jason Francis Pritchett", in a recent episode, Gloria referred to him as "Jay Kennedy Pritchett".
• He is in the closet hall of fame.
  • However, he only received it because his former partner, Earl Chambers, had died.
• He sometimes references JFK as being his favorite president.
• Multiple times throughout the series he references being of mixed Scottish Irish ancestry.
• Throughout the series Jay makes comments about military and political history (usually in a politically incorrect way.).
• He endorsed Ronald Reagan.
• Terry Bradshaw has a restraining order against him. (Brushes with Celebrity).
• He and Claire relationship is similar to Al and Kelly Bundy. Unlike Al and Kelly Bundy, Jay is very successful and Claire is smart. But just like Kelly Bundy, Claire was a rebelloious teenager who was also promiscious and Just like Al Bundy, Jay is always trying to keep Claire in line and always scares off her boyfriends.

Quotes

Season 1

— From "Pilot"

Jay: Um, excuse me. Okay, I-I know that I said I thought this was a bad idea, but, uh… what do I know? I mean, it’s not like I wrote the book on fatherhood. I’ve been trying all my life to get it right; I’m still screwing up. Right, Manny? Manny: I wrote a song about it in the car. Jay: Of course you did. Uh… anyway, I’m happy for you and, uh, you should know that, uh, I’m not here to spit in your face; I’m here to blow at your back. It’s supposed to sound better in Spanish. Gloria: (says quote in Spanish) Cameron: Ah, that’s beautiful. Jay: Anyhow, Mitch… Mitchell: No, dad, it’s… do you wanna meet grandpa? Jay: Are you kidding? She’s one of us now. Let me see your little pot sticker. Hey! You’re a cutie, aren’t you? Ah.

Jay: Where's my good underwear? Gloria: The question is, why isn't all your underwear good, Jay? You make a nice living.

— From "Family Portrait"

Jay: Back in '68, when I was sweeping up hair in that barbershop, I had this mental picture of the family that, if I was lucky enough, I would end up with. Perfect wife, perfect kids... Well guess what? I didn't get any of that. I wound up with this sorry bunch. And I'm thankful for that every day. Well, most days.

— From "Family Portrait"

Jay: So Chamberlain comes in one day with a friend, and it's Elvis. Best singer in the world after Sinatra, and I'll fight anyone who says different. Luke: Dad says the best singer in the world is Peabo Bryson. Jay: Then I'll have to fight your dad.

— From "Family Portrait"

Jay: When you're young and dreaming of your family, you think of this perfect family; perfect wife, perfect kids. Look at me, I got this sorry bunch. But you know I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Season 2

Jay: I am always on time. It's easy for me, 'cause I'm organized. Not my wife. You think growing up in a place full of death squads and drunk uncles she'd learn to run faster.

— From "Manny Get Your Gun"

Manny: It says in the box that this is for ages sixteen and up. Are you sure I should have this? Jay: What do you mean? You were born sixteen.

— From "Manny Get Your Gun"

Manny: What did you mean I was born sixteen? Jay: I'm just saying you were never a kid. Which is good, because I hate kids.

— From "Manny Get Your Gun"

Jay:(as Manny mixes two soda drinks together) What are you doing? Manny: Turning back the clock. [while Jay hides Gloria's car keys in her purse, he is unaware that Manny is drinking it already and he cringes] Manny: That's disgusting! Jay: Don't judge. You're not married. This never happened. Manny: What never happened? Jay: That's a good man. Manny: Boy! I'm a boy!

— From "Manny Get Your Gun"

Gloria: Tell me the truth, Jay. Did you put the keys in my bag? Jay: ...No. Gloria: I won't be mad. Jay: In order to prove a point, I may have put the keys- Gloria: [Punches Jay repeatedly in the arm] I knew it! Jay: Why did I give you such a big watch? Gloria: Why, Jay? What point were you trying to make? Jay: I just wanted you to be more organized. You can be a little scatterbrained sometimes. Gloria: You are the one whose brains are going to be scattered! Manny, hand me the gun!

— From "Manny Get Your Gun"

Gloria: How come I do all the looking while you do all the sitting? Jay: Because you do all the losing. Gloria: You are this close to doing all the sleeping in a tent on the backyard.

— From "Manny Get Your Gun"

Season 4

Jay: I'm 65. If Gloria wants to be surprised, she should buy a box of Cracker Jacks.

— From "Snip"

Jay: [Picking up Phil for his vasectomy] Let's go! Chop chop! Phil: Really? Jay: Oh, yeah [Chuckles]

— From "Snip"

[After finding out Gloria is pregnant with Joe] Jay: I've always seen life like a series of doors. Sometimes you get to choose the door you go through, and sometimes you don't get that choice. But you still have to walk through it. So either you can go through kicking and screaming, or walk through with your head held high. And since I don't get to choose the door I'm about to go through, I just pray it's a healthy, happy kid. And a boy.

— From "Snip"

Season 7

[to Claire] Jay: And by the way I've known you for a long time. The last thing you need to worry about is looking weak.

— From "Promposal"

Gloria: Ok, that's it! If the men in this house don't start talking to me, I swear to God that I will make life miserable for each and every one of you! [Thunder crashes, electricity zapping] Gloria: No, not yet. Manny: Oh, don't tell me the power just went out. My Sleep Number bed is stuck on the nap setting. Jay: Calm down, this is exactly why I sprung for a new generator. [Generator powers on] Jay: Which, you're welcome, just kicked in. Now, granted, it doesn't power everything. I had to make some hard choices. Manny: Mmm, that's it? The bar and the pool table?

— From "The Storm"

Jay: Pool's drained, leaks are fixed, generator's running, and I'm meeting my buddies. Gloria: Why, Jay? Why you have to go out? It's a hurricane outside! [Jay opens a pickle jar and takes one out] Jay: I just do. [Jay walks out]

— From "The Storm"

Jay: A damn tree's blocking the street. I need my chainsaw. Phil: Jay, I know you didn't ask my advice Jay: I'm glad you noticed that.

— From "The Storm"

Gloria: She could lose a couple of pounds, anyways. Jay: Thank God you don't have a daughter.

— From "I Don't Know How She Does It"

Jay: Gloria makes this Colombian dish I loved when we were first dating... I lied about a lot of things back then. [Jay takes a forkful of the food, looks over at a seemingly sleeping Gloria and secretly feeds the dog, but Gloria sits up.] Gloria: What the hell are you doing?! [Jay puts the fork down] That takes me three days! Three days to prepare! And then you say that you love it, and you feed it to the dog? What else have you been lying about, Jay Kennedy Pritchett!?

— From "I Don't Know How She Does It"

[Manny and Luke arrive at Jay and Gloria's house] Manny: Oh! Hi there, how's everybody doin'? Luke: What's up with Stella? Jay: Where've you two been? [Manny drops his Mom's laptop] Gloria: Is that my computer?! [Gloria bends down to pick it up] Manny: Don't open that! [Luke goes to open the door for Stella] Jay: Don't open that! Luke: Is that Joe's plane? [Jay goes to open the front door] Gloria: Don't open that! Luke: Lot of unanswered questions here, seems like. Gloria: Why don't we all just take a step back? Jay: Nice and easy Gloria: Okay, so now I am going to go and take a little walk. Manny: Luke and I have some homework to do upstairs. Jay: And I'm going to the little boy's room.

— From "I Don't Know How She Does It"

Jay: You're picking your eyebrows again. Like you did when I put you in Little League. Mitchell: Okay, I am a little stressed. But it's just 'cause I'm buried under work. And Cam's sister is the worst influence on Lily. But I can't yell at her because she's a sopping mess. So, you know, who am I supposed to yell at? My husband, who needs a machine to breathe? Jay: Well, you better find yourself an outlet. That's why I have scotch and golf and cigars. Otherwise, I'd be a raging jackass. Waitress: We're out of Rye. Jay: Then bake some! Mitchell: Can you please not yell at the woman who's bringing us our food?

— From "Express Yourself"

Mitchell: So, a karaoke bar, huh? [ Chuckles ] You know, it's a little offensive that you think singing a pop song is gonna solve my problems. How gay do you think I am? Jay: Mitchell! Madonna! ["Express Yourself" comes on]

— From "Express Yourself"

Appearances

For Season 7, there were no more than 22 episodes, which is unusual since, every other season has 24 equally.

Please go to here for color coding.

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