Dana Powell

Dana Powell
Powell in 2019
Born
Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
Alma materMissouri State University (BFA)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • podcaster
Years active2003–present
SpouseDan Tipton
Children1

Dana Powell is an American comic actress best known for playing Pam Tucker, Cam's sister, on Modern Family (2013–2019).

Early life and education

Powell grew up in Springfield, Missouri, where she went to Hillcrest High School.[1] She developed an interest in theater after an unsuccessful audition for Fiddler on the Roof as a high school freshman.[2][3] Her first acting role was the housekeeper in a high school production of The Sound of Music.[4] After briefly attending Ozarks Technical Community College, she earned a bachelor's degree in theater from Missouri State University in 1999.[1][4][5] She worked in the newsroom of Springfield 33 (a radio station later known as KSPR) before moving to Los Angeles to study improvisational comedy at the iO West and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.[2][3][6]

Career

An early television role for Powell was on Reno 911! in 2005.[3] She played a flight attendant in the 2011 film Bridesmaids and had a recurring role on the ABC sitcom Suburgatory (2011–2013).[3][7] Other guest appearances include on television comedies such as Two Broke Girls, The Office, and Veep.[1]

Powell's best-known role is Pameron "Pam" Tucker, the sister of the main character Cameron "Cam" Tucker (Eric Stonestreet), on the ABC sitcom Modern Family.[1][3] First appearing in the fifth season episode "Farm Strong" in 2013,[4] she returned for 14 episodes in total. Powell knew Stonestreet from their improvisational comedy days and considered him her "unofficial big brother in real life".[1][2]

Powell has worked in digital advertising as a writer.[1] She and actress Alison Royer hosted the Absolute Worst Podcast from May 2017 to December 2018.[8] Since 2019, she has hosted The Rants and Raves Podcast with actress Jessica Young.[9]

Personal life

Powell is married to Dan Tipton, who worked as a production supervisor for Modern Family.[3] They met at Missouri State, and not long after graduation he invited her to move to Los Angeles.[2][3] They have one son.[3]

Filmography

Film

Year(s) Title Role Notes
2008 Point View Terrace Helen Television film
2011 Bridesmaids Flight Attendant Claire
2011 Pepper Jane Short film
2013 This Is Ellen Rose Short film
2014 Donation Beth Short film
2015 Salem Rogers Gwynn Television film
2016 Piece of Cake Janet Short film
2016 Ride Shared — Short film
2017 Unit Zero Midge Television film
2017 Handsome Sky
2017 Alex & the List Holly
2017 Battlecreek Melinda
2018 To the Grave Margot Bleeker Short film
2019 The Breakup Bar Penny Short film
2019 Valentino and the Prodigy Bonzie Short film
2020 Remotely Working Kate Television short film
2020 Film Fest Toni
2020 Bite the Hand Lorrie Caldwell Short film
2021 The Locals Jen Short film
2023 Help Me Understand — Short film

Television

Year(s) Title Role Notes
2005 Reno 911! American Idol Hopeful 2 episodes
2008 Emily's Reasons Why Not Mindy Saline 3 episodes
2009 Kath & Kim Holly Episode: "Idols"
2009 Brainstorm Alison Web series
2010 Svetlana — Episode: "Gumption"
2011 Good Luck Charlie Nancy Episode: "Driving Mrs. Dabney"
2011–2013 Suburgatory Rhonda 6 episodes
2012 The Office Megan Episode: "Welcome Party"
2012 Bob's Burgers Karen Voice role; episode: "Food Truckin'"
2012 2 Broke Girls Shana 2 episodes
2013 Arrested Development Crab Shack Worker Episode: "Queen B."
2013 Hello Ladies Employee Episode: "Long Beach"
2013–2019 Modern Family Pameron Tucker 14 episodes
2014 Veep Kelly 2 episodes
2014 I Didn't Do It Brenda Episode: "Logan's Run"
2014 Mom Jessica Episode: "Soapy Eyes and a Clean Slate"
2015 Hot Girl Walks By Lisa Episode: "Girls in a Park"
2015 Clipped Robin Doyle Miniseries; 8 episodes
2015 In-Between Agnes McGuire 3 episodes
2016 Food Court Girl Scout Cookie Defendant
2017 Temporary Not The Real Elizabeth Banks Episode: "The Real Elizabeth Banks"
2017 Flip the Script The DP Episode: "Diva Director"
2017 Curb Your Enthusiasm Claudia Episode: "The Pickle Gambit"
2018 I'm Still a Person — Episode: "The Mom Bob Episode"
2018 Black-ish Marla Episode: "Dog Eat Dog World"
2018 The News Tank Donna Power Episode: "Ed Balls, Cry Closet, & Poop Trains!"
2018 Ride Sesh Susan Episode: "Dave & Susan"
2019 Baby Love Nurse Bell Episode: "Pilot"
2019–2020 The Good Place Paula 3 episodes
2020 Site Unseen Herself Episode: "Episode #1.2"
2020 Saved by the Bell Joyce Whitelady Episode: "Clubs and Cliques"
2021 Narcos: Mexico Waitress Episode: "Como La Flor"
2022 Cars on the Road Mato Voice role; episode: "Gettin' Hitched"
2023 9-1-1 Carol Sykes Episode: "Mixed Feelings"

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Riley, Claudette (March 27, 2017). "Modern Family actress to speak at OTC graduation". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Gibson, Michael (October 23, 2020). "One-On-One with Actress Dana Powell". The Place. KY3. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Houghton, Jeff (November 2017). "Dana Powell Went From Hillcrest to Modern Family". 417 Magazine. Springfield, Missouri. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Temple, Christine (October 9, 2013). "Former Springfieldian lands spot on 'Modern Family'". Springfield News-Leader. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013.
  5. ^ "Congratulations to Dana Powell!". Missouri State University. August 28, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  6. ^ French, Laura (March 27, 2017). "Actress Dana Powell to speak at OTC commencement". Ozarks Technical Community College. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  7. ^ Masters, Megan (September 17, 2013). "Modern Family Exclusive: Meet Cam's Sister!". TVLine. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  8. ^ "Absolute Worst Podcast". Apple Podcasts. January 12, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "The Rants And Raves Podcast". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved April 30, 2023.