He clowned around with the cast of ABC’s Modern Family earlier this year to big laughs… And, now Bobby Cannavele could be reaping a big reward for his memorable appearance.

The 42-year-old half-Cuban American actor, who won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2005 for his guest-starring role on NBC’s Will and Grace, has received a Critics’ Choice Television Awards nomination for playing Cameron’s “estranged ex-clown partner” on ABC’s hit sitcom.

In the episode entitled “Send Out the Clowns,” which aired in mid-March, Cannavele’s character Lewis was part of a reunion that took place at the funeral for Cameron’s clown mentor.

Cannavele will now compete against Girls’ Becky Ann Baker, Parks and Rectration’s Kathryn Hahn, The New Girl’s Justin Long, Parks and Recreation’ Paul Rudd and Girls’ Peter Scolari in the Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series category.

Meanwhile, Louis C.K. received a nod in the Best Actor in a Comedy Series category for his starring role in FX’s Louie. The 44-year-old half-Mexican American comedian/actor, who will form part of the ensemble in Woody Allen’s next film, will face off against House of Lies’ Don Cheadle, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David, Raising Hope’s Garret Dillahunt, Community’s 
Joel McHale and The Big Bang Theory’s 
Jim Parsons.

NBC led all the broadcast networks with 14 nods, followed by ABC with 13 nominations.  Fox and HBO had 12 nods.

The Critics’ Choice Television Award winners will be announced on June 18.