Modern Family captivated audiences for 11 seasons with its heartwarming and hilarious portrayal of family life in the 21st century. The show’s success was largely thanks to its stellar ensemble cast, who brought the Dunphy, Pritchett, and Tucker-Pritchett families to life. Let’s take a look at the talented actors who made Modern Family a hit and see what they’ve been up to since the show concluded.
The Dunphy Family
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy
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Julie Bowen brilliantly portrayed Claire Dunphy, the high-strung, type-A mom, earning two Emmy Awards for her performance. Interestingly, Bowen initially hesitated to audition for comedy roles, believing she wasn’t funny enough. She revealed in 2024 that she told her representatives to avoid sending her to comedy auditions. However, encouraged to embrace her “Helen Hunt” type of funny – more nuanced and less reliant on punchlines – she landed the role that would define her career for over a decade.
Before Modern Family, Bowen was recognized for roles such as Adam Sandler’s love interest in the comedy classic Happy Gilmore (1996) and as a lead in the series Ed (2000–2004). She also had notable appearances on ER (1998–1999) and Lost (2005–2007). Her comedic talents were further showcased in films like Horrible Bosses (2011) and Life of the Party (2018).
Since Modern Family ended, Bowen has remained active in Hollywood. She reunited with Adam Sandler in Hubie Halloween (2020), starred in the horror-comedy Totally Killer (2023), and secured a main role in the Peacock series Hysteria! (2024–present). Fans can also look forward to seeing her reprise her role in the upcoming Happy Gilmore 2.
Off-screen, Bowen was married to Scott Phillips from 2004 to 2018, and they have three sons. In a relatable Modern Family-esque moment, both Bowen and co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson found themselves in the emergency room with their children on Thanksgiving in 2024.
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy
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Ty Burrell perfectly embodied Phil Dunphy, the eternally optimistic and “cool dad,” a role specifically created with him in mind. Despite this, ABC executives initially rejected Burrell multiple times before finally giving him the green light. This persistence paid off, as Burrell also won two Emmy Awards for his beloved portrayal of Phil.
Burrell recounted the initial struggle to get cast in an oral history of the series, mentioning his agent and wife advised him to move on due to repeated rejections from ABC. His wife, he shared, was trying to protect him from disappointment after numerous auditions.
Prior to his breakout role in Modern Family, Burrell had smaller but memorable roles in films like Dawn of the Dead (2004), In Good Company (2004), National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), and The Incredible Hulk (2008). He also gained sitcom experience with roles in Out of Practice (2005–2006) and Back to You (2007–2008).
Modern Family‘s success opened doors to diverse roles for Burrell. He appeared in the indie film The Skeleton Twins (2014), Muppets Most Wanted (2014), and lent his voice to popular animated projects like Finding Dory (2016) and the series Duncanville (2020–2022).
Burrell has been married to Holly since 2000, and they are parents to two daughters.
Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy
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Sarah Hyland brought to life Haley Dunphy, the eldest Dunphy child, initially portrayed as somewhat ditzy but who evolved into a more complex and relatable character. Modern Family creator Christopher Lloyd praised Hyland’s ability to humanize Haley, preventing her from becoming a stereotypical shallow character. He noted her capacity to show concern for her siblings and a playful sass towards her parents.
Before Modern Family, Hyland’s early roles included playing Howard Stern’s daughter in Private Parts (1997) and a young Audrey Hepburn in The Audrey Hepburn Story (2000). She also had a regular role in Lipstick Jungle (2008–2009). Later, she appeared in films like Vampire Academy (2014) and the Dirty Dancing TV remake (2017), and led the rom-com The Wedding Year (2019).
Post-Modern Family, Hyland reunited with former co-star Adam DeVine in Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (2022) and showcased her vocal talents as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway. She also hosted Love Island USA.
Hyland married Wells Adams in 2022, with Jesse Tyler Ferguson officiating the ceremony. In 2024, she was honored with the Courage Award at Variety’s Power of Women event, presented by Julie Bowen, recognizing her advocacy work as a domestic abuse survivor.
Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy
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Ariel Winter played Alex Dunphy, the intelligent and bookish middle child, a stark contrast to her older sister Haley. Prior to her long-running role on Modern Family, Winter portrayed younger versions of Michelle Monaghan in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) and Christina Ricci in Speed Racer (2008).
Throughout her career, Winter has become known for her voice acting work, with roles in the Phineas and Ferb franchise, Elena of Avalor (2016–2020), and Star Trek: Lower Decks (2023–2024). She also achieved a dream guest role on Law & Order: SVU (2019). In a different venture, she participated in the reality competition Stars on Mars (2023), where she notably had disagreements with Lance Armstrong.
Winter’s personal life has also been in the public eye. She is the younger sister of actors Shanelle and Jimmy Workman. In 2014, her sister became her permanent legal guardian, and in 2015, at 17, Winter was legally emancipated from her mother.
Winter has spoken about the close bond she shares with her Modern Family castmates, particularly Nolan Gould, who played her brother Luke. She considers Gould her “first best friend” and emphasizes their enduring sibling-like relationship.
Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy
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Nolan Gould played Luke Dunphy, the youngest and often mischievous Dunphy sibling. Despite portraying a somewhat goofy character, Gould is intellectually gifted and a member of Mensa. He mentioned in 2010 that he enjoyed playing Luke because it allowed him to engage in physical comedy and embody a persona different from his own personality.
Before Modern Family, Gould had a few acting credits and has since appeared in R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour (2011–2014) and Friends With Benefits (2011), playing Justin Timberlake’s nephew. He also participated in Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition (2018) and The Celebrity Dating Game (2021).
More recently, Gould guest-starred in Grey’s Anatomy (2022) and took on lead roles in comedies The Nana Project (2023) and Camp (2023), continuing to expand his acting repertoire.
The Pritchett-Delgado Family
Ed O’Neill as Jay Pritchett
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Ed O’Neill brought his signature gruff charm to the role of Jay Pritchett, the family patriarch, earning three Emmy nominations for his portrayal. O’Neill recalled realizing the show’s special quality during the first table read in 2013, impressed by the cast’s immediate chemistry and talent.
O’Neill was already a television icon before Modern Family, thanks to his legendary role as Al Bundy in Married…With Children (1987–1997). His film work includes appearances in sports movies like Blue Chips (1994), Little Giants (1994), and Prefontaine (1997), and collaborations with David Mamet in films such as The Spanish Prisoner (1997), Spartan (2004), and Redbelt (2008). Recently, O’Neill starred as Donald Sterling in the miniseries Clipped (2024).
O’Neill has been married to Catherine Rusoff since 1986, and they have two daughters.
Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
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Sofía Vergara played Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Jay’s vibrant and outspoken wife, a role that garnered her four Emmy nominations and recognition as the highest-paid actress on television. Vergara has defended her character against criticisms of being a stereotype, explaining that Gloria is inspired by her own Colombian mother and aunt, emphasizing their shared cultural background and characteristics.
Before her Modern Family success, Vergara had roles in the Colombian-Ecuadorian version of Desperate Housewives. Modern Family launched her into mainstream Hollywood, leading to roles in films like Jon Favreau’s Chef (2014), The Three Stooges (2012), and Hot Pursuit (2015) with Reese Witherspoon.
Vergara received her fifth Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Griselda Blanco in Netflix’s Griselda (2024) and has been a judge on America’s Got Talent since 2020, demonstrating her continued success in television.
Vergara was married to Joe Gonzalez from 1991 to 1993, and they have a son, actor Manolo Gonzalez Vergara. She was later married to Joe Manganiello from 2015 to 2024.
Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado
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Rico Rodriguez played Manny Delgado, Gloria’s intelligent and mature son and Jay’s stepson. Rodriguez expressed his deep affection for his time on Modern Family, describing it as feeling like growing up with an extended family. He acknowledged the life-changing experience the show provided as he literally grew up on screen.
Prior to Modern Family, Rodriguez made appearances in ER (2007), iCarly (2007), and My Name Is Earl (2008). After a cameo in The Muppets (2011), he landed a lead role in the film Endgame (2015). He also joined Sarah Hyland in The Lion Guard (2015–2019), voicing the character Raha.
Recently, Rodriguez guest-starred in Disney Channel’s Bunk’d (2024) alongside his sister, Raini Rodriguez, showcasing his continued acting career.
The Tucker-Pritchett Family
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett
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Jesse Tyler Ferguson played Mitchell Pritchett, the more reserved and uptight half of the show’s beloved gay couple, earning five Emmy nominations for his performance. Ferguson, who is openly gay, shared on his podcast Dinner’s on Me how the show’s popularity offered him a sense of protection from homophobia, as fans recognized him as “that gay one from TV” and showed acceptance.
A seasoned stage actor before Modern Family, Ferguson had an extensive theater career, including an original role in the Tony-winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He continued to perform on stage during Modern Family, including in Fully Committed (2016).
Since Modern Family, Ferguson has guest-starred in The Good Fight (2021), High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2022), and Elsbeth (2024), and appeared in the film Cocaine Bear (2023). He returned to Broadway in 2022 and won a Tony Award for the revival of Take Me Out. He also hosts the successful podcast Dinner’s on Me, often featuring his Modern Family co-stars.
Ferguson married Justin Mikita in 2013, and they have two children. They co-founded the non-profit Pronoun, advocating for LGBTQIA+ civil rights.
Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker
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Eric Stonestreet won two Emmy Awards for his vibrant and theatrical portrayal of Cameron Tucker, Mitchell’s partner. Stonestreet stated in 2016 that the goal was to create a relatable and enjoyable couple, aiming to make people laugh and, in turn, promote acceptance and open-mindedness towards different people, regardless of background or sexual orientation.
Like many of his Modern Family co-stars, the show significantly boosted Stonestreet’s career after years of smaller roles in series like Dharma & Greg (1999), Bones (2007), and CSI (2001–2005). He capitalized on his newfound fame with roles in Bad Teacher (2011), The Secret Life of Pets (2017), and Confirmation (2016).
In 2020, Stonestreet reunited with Sofía Vergara as a guest judge on America’s Got Talent. He later hosted Domino Masters (2022) and returned to scripted comedy in The Santa Clauses season 2 (2023).
In 2019, Stonestreet became a part-owner of the Kansas City Royals. He has been engaged to Lindsay Schweitzer since 2021.
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons as Lily Tucker-Pritchett
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Aubrey Anderson-Emmons took over the role of Lily Tucker-Pritchett in season 3, becoming the youngest person to win a Screen Actors Guild Award at age 4 when the cast won for ensemble performance. Anderson-Emmons shared on TikTok the realities of being a child actor, noting the long workdays and mandatory studio school, balancing the fun moments with the demands of the job.
Modern Family was Anderson-Emmons’ debut role. Since then, she has appeared in a few short films. She runs a popular YouTube channel, FoodMania Review, with her mother and remains involved in acting through her high school drama club. Her on-screen dad, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, has shown his support by attending her school plays.
The cast of Modern Family remains beloved, and their individual successes after the show are a testament to their talent and the lasting impact of the series. From Emmy wins to Broadway stages and new television projects, the Modern Family cast continues to entertain audiences worldwide.
