Modern Family cast ages: how old were the actors then and now?

As I delve into the lives of these talented young actors who graced our screens as integral parts of “Modern Family“, I am left in awe at the remarkable journeys they have taken.

15 years have passed since “Modern Family” first aired, making it an opportune moment to explore how old the cast members of this popular ABC sitcom were back then compared to their current ages!

Some may have forgotten that the first episode of Modern Family had a twist at the end. It appeared to be a documentary focusing on three different families in various levels of marriage. The final scene revealed they were one large extended family of the Pritchetts.

Over the course of 11 seasons and 250 episodes, audiences enjoyed watching the family’s growth through numerous adventures and mishaps, yet their familial connection remained constant. This show was highly successful in terms of ratings and even received five Emmys for Outstanding Comedy series as an added bonus.

2020 marked the end of the show, but the talented cast has reunited for some advertisements. Let’s take a peek at their ages now!

Ed O’Neill as Jay Pritchett

Birthday: April 12, 1946
Age when Modern Family began: 63
Age Today: 78

In a stark contrast to his famous portrayal of Al Bundy in “Married… With Children,” the character played by Ed O’Neill as the clan leader was quite different. Yet, he effortlessly stepped into this role and became the focal point of the series with his lively spirit and knack for guiding the younger generation.

After the performance concluded, O’Neill remained relatively silent, but he resurfaced with a significant role in the FX series “Clipped” in 2024, portraying the disgraced Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. This demonstrates that even at 78 years old, the man has many more notable acting opportunities ahead.

Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett

Birthday: July 10, 1972
Age when Modern Family began: 37
Age today: 52

The humor in the early episodes of the series often stemmed from the peculiar circumstances surrounding Jay marrying the youthful, energetic Gloria. Sofía Vergara seemed younger than 37 when she started on the show, and her rich accent made her particularly noticeable. Vergara’s role marked a significant breakthrough in American television for her, following her acting career in Mexico. This part brought her numerous Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

Vergara has kept herself occupied with managing various businesses and serving as a judge on America’s Got Talent. Additionally, she showcased her exceptional acting skills in the Netflix series Griselda, highlighting that her talent matches her captivating beauty.

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy

Birthday: March 3, 1970
Age when Modern Family began: 39
Age today: 54

After accumulating a significant TV career with roles in shows like ER, Ed, Boston Legal, and Lost, Julie Bowen was long overdue for recognition as Claire. Her portrayal of the frazzled mother showcased Bowen’s exceptional comedic talents and earned her two Emmy awards for her outstanding performance.

After the conclusion of the series, Bowen has ventured into voice acting and is now preparing for a major comeback as the lead in the Peacock thriller “Hysteria”! However, it seems that her performance as Claire remains her most memorable role, one she effortlessly revisits.

Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy

Birthday: August 22, 1967
Age when Modern Family began: 41
Age today: 56

At the outset, “Modern Family” wasn’t overly familiar with Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, but he certainly made an impact and broadened that recognition. He was instrumental in providing some of the most hilarious scenes as the hapless father whose consistent misunderstandings fueled the show’s humor. This performance earned Burrell two Emmy awards and established him as a key contributor to the show’s success, lending it his distinctive voice.

Since the end of “Modern Family,” Burrell has primarily focused on voice acting, with roles in shows like “Boondoggle” and “Duncanville.” Additionally, he manages restaurants in Salt Lake City, Utah. Furthermore, his reprisal of Phil in TV commercials has sparked enthusiasm among fans that he may return to the screen again shortly.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett

Birthday: October 22, 1975
Age when Modern Family began: 33
Age today: 48

Jesse Tyler Ferguson previously worked on a short-running CBS sitcom titled “The Class“. This background proved beneficial when he assumed the role of Mitchell, the more conservative partner in his marriage, albeit one who exhibited occasional wild behavior. His performance earned him multiple Emmy nominations, increasing his popularity.

Currently, Ferguson is primarily focused on Broadway performances, having ventured into television roles like “Elsbeth” in the past. Notably, he won a Tony Award for his role in the play “Take Me Out”. His versatility allows him to transition seamlessly between TV and stage, displaying a broader dramatic range compared to what he showcased on “Modern Family”.

Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker

Birthday: September 9, 1971
Age when Modern Family began: 38
Age today: 52

In the early 2000s, Eric Stonestreet gained recognition for his frequent appearances on TV shows, with his role as a lab tech on CSI particularly standing out. His portrayal of the flamboyant and exaggerated Cameron was one of the highlights of the show, earning Stonestreet two Emmy awards and providing much of the series’ humor.

In different reality and competitive programs, as well as on the Disney+ series “The Santa Clauses“, Stonestreet has showcased his talent. Notably, he played a character reminiscent of Santa Claus with a great sense of humor, much like he did when portraying Cameron.

Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy

Birthday: November 24, 1990
Age when Modern Family began: 19
Age today: 33

Sarah Hyland portrayed Haley, the somewhat dim-witted daughter of Phil and Claire, who was a significant character in the series. Her humor often stemmed from her misinterpretation of situations and her penchant for wearing stylish yet inappropriate outfits during her romantic mishaps. As the show progressed, Haley became more mature, eventually taking on the role of a mother herself.

At age 19, Sarah Hyland began her role on the show, even though her character Haley was intended to be younger. Since then, she’s expanded her talents by providing voiceovers for various animated shows, hosting “Love Island USA,” and endorsing numerous brands. This versatile work has helped her shine in Hollywood.

Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy

Birthday: January 28, 1998
Age when Modern Family began: 11
Age today: 26

At the age of 11, Ariel Winter started playing the character Alex, the brainy yet insecure sister in “Modern Family.” Prior to this role, she had already accumulated significant TV experience. However, during her time on the show, she faced several personal and health challenges. Despite these obstacles, she transformed into a stunning beauty throughout the series.

Winter is well-known for lending her voice to the main character in the popular Disney animated series “Sofia the First“. Currently, she continues to do voiceovers for “Star Trek: Lower Decks“, and has previously appeared on “Stars on Mars“. Here’s hoping that she receives more work opportunities in the future and finds even greater success.

Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy

Birthday: October 28, 1998
Age when Modern Family began: 10
Age today: 25

Among the most entertaining personalities on the series, there was Luke – the boisterous offspring of Claire and Phil, whose peculiar actions sometimes seemed like foolishness. However, he was actually quite intelligent, often failing to grasp concepts which led to humorous dialogue and daring antics.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always admired Nolan Gould’s growth in the role that made him famous – Luke Dunphy. To everyone’s astonishment, including my own, Luke transformed into a success and even managed to convincingly portray adulthood on screen. Post-Modern Family, Gould has been busy with minor film projects and even graced an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. For the moment, it appears he’s taking a brief hiatus from acting, but I can’t help but feel that his return to the silver screen could be imminent.

Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado

Birthday: July 31, 1988
Age when Modern Family began: 10
Age today: 26

One delightful aspect of the TV show “Modern Family” was Manny, Gloria’s son, who often seemed more mature than his years. He had numerous amusing scenes where he attempted to be a sophisticated ladies’ man and showed off his cultural awareness, unaware of how his actions made him appear absurd due to his youth.

In his debut major acting gig, Rico Rodriguez delivered an outstanding performance that beautifully depicted Manny’s character evolution throughout the series. Although he has made appearances as himself on various reality TV shows, currently, it appears Rodriguez is stepping away from acting. Here’s hoping he secures another exciting project in the near future!

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons as Lily Tucker-Pritchett

Birthday: June 6, 2007
Age when joined Modern Family: 3
Age today: 17

For the first two seasons of the show, Cameron and Mitchell’s adopted daughter was portrayed by twins Jaden and Ella Hiller. However, as Lily grew older, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons joined the cast. She transformed from a precocious child to a pre-teen, delivering hilarious one-liners and reactions that made it seem like Lilly might be the most sane person in the family. Notably, she also holds the record for the youngest individual to win a SAG Award, having achieved this feat when she was just four years old, at the time when the cast received the award for Best Comedy Ensemble.

17-year-old Anderson-Emmons has stopped acting since the show concluded. Instead, she engages in charitable activities and collaborates on the FoodMania Review YouTube channel with her mom, appearing to find satisfaction in allowing Lily to serve as her main acting venture.

Jeremy Maguire as Joe Pritchett

Birthday: August 10, 2011
Age when joined Modern Family: 4
Age today: 13

Initially portrayed by Pierce Wallace, the character of Gloria and Jay’s son was later played by Jeremy Maguire, marking his debut acting performance. As the character matured into Joe, he brought a new burst of comedic energy to the show.

Maguire previously shone in the brief run of “Turner & Hooch” TV series, but currently, it appears he’s focusing on school and personal life before returning to acting. However, when he does come back, his past role as Joe demonstrates that he can convincingly play a light-hearted, humorous character.

Reid Ewing as Dylan Marshall

Birthday: November 7, 1988
Age when Modern Family began: 20
Age today: 35

For the initial seasons of the show, Reid Ewing frequently appeared as a guest star, transitioning into a permanent cast member in the later years as Dylan Marshall, Haley’s turbulent love interest. Their relationship was marked by its peaks and valleys, with most viewers agreeing that Dylan’s bumbling behaviors made him an ideal match for Haley. Eventually, they tied the knot and welcomed twins, adding even more chaos to their family dynamics.

During the show, Ewing openly discussed his private struggles such as concerns about his appearance. This could possibly explain his reduced acting appearances following the series conclusion, yet he managed to make Dylan an entertaining character who ultimately felt like a cherished family member by the finale.

Modern Family is streaming on Hulu and Peacock.

2024-08-28 19:54