'Married With Children' Star Ed O'Neill Says He Nearly Got Hitched To The Mob

Ed ONeill almost chose the gangster life over acting, he told Modern Family co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson this week. (Check out the interview below.)

During Fergusons Dinners on Me podcast Tuesday, ONeill recalled how being cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers  in the late 1960s left him few options after he was back home in Youngstown, Ohio.

One of them was organized crime.

His friend Jimmy, who was a so-called associate, took him for a ride one day and gave him a glimpse of what he could do to earn money. ONeill said they went to a restaurant where Jimmy subtly pressed the bartender for the whereabouts of a man because he was an old friend. Jimmy offered a $20 bill as incentive, ONeill said.

Jim then made his pitch to ONeill, according to the Married With Children alum.

We left and he said, You can do this kind of stuff for me, you know, Ill protect you, Ill give you easy stuff. Just you collect here. You do that. You run, you drop something off here and there. You know, you may have to lean on a guy. Youre good at that. You can make some good money.

ONeill said he told Jim hed think about it, but he was also considering this acting thing.

Upon his return home, ONeills father helped him clarify his career choice after he apparently saw his son emerging from Jims car.

He said, I saw you take a ride with Jimmy I just want to ask you a question. Can you do time? ONeill said he answered no.

His father agreed.

He said, You couldnt do time. Youd have a hard time being in jail, right? ONeill recalled. I said, No, I dont think I could do time. He said, OK.

Message received. ONeill said he called Jimmy to tell him no thanks and that he was going to New York. The showbiz hopeful landed stage work within months, Page Six reported .

Fast-forward to 11:00 to hear about the offer ONeill could refuse.