# Dana Powell

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. She developed an interest in theater after an unsuccessful audition for Fiddler on the Roof as a high school freshman. Her first acting role was the housekeeper in a high school production of The Sound of Music. After briefly attending Ozarks Technical Community College, she earned a bachelor's degree in theater from Missouri State University in 1999. 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.

## Career

An early television role for Powell was on Reno 911! in 2005. She played a flight attendant in the 2011 film Bridesmaids and had a recurring role on the ABC sitcom Suburgatory (2011–2013). Other guest appearances include on television comedies such as Two Broke Girls, The Office, and Veep.
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. First appearing in the fifth season episode "Farm Strong" in 2013, 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".
Powell has worked in digital advertising as a writer. She and actress Alison Royer hosted the Absolute Worst Podcast from May 2017 to December 2018. Since 2019, she has hosted The Rants and Raves Podcast with actress Jessica Young.

## Personal life

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

## 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" |