'Modern Family's' Ed O'Neill helping to fund doc about Ohio politician

March 12, 2012. Ed O'Neill, poses before a PaleyFest panel discussion in Beverly Hills, Calif. (The Associated Press)

Actor Ed O'Neill is supporting an effort to raise funds to complete a documentary about a colorful congressman in his native northeast Ohio.

Filmmaker Eric Murphy says he has a crowd-funding campaign to raise $17,500 to finish production and add a new ending to "Traficant: Congressman of Crimetown." Former U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. died last month at age 73 following a tractor accident on his family's farm near Youngstown.

O'Neill was interviewed for the documentary and added a narrative voice. Backers who pledge at least $2,500 get lunch with O'Neill, the veteran actor who's in the TV comedy series "Modern Family." The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reports they also will get co-producer credit.

O'Neill has signed books, artwork and other items for $1,000 pledges.