The Real Life Love Lives Of The ‘Modern Family’ Cast
Over nine seasons, the strong group of characters on the award-winning comedy on ABC, “Modern Family,” have presented some long-lasting and truly touching love stories. Well, it turns out that the love lives of the actors in this sitcom are also impressively swoon-worthy. If you wish to take a look into the relationships and romances of the actors playing the Delgados, Dunphys, and Pritchetts, along with the several unconventional side characters that bring each episode a little bit of spice, then continue reading and you will learn more about these celebrities’ partners in real life.
ED O’NEILL (JAY PRITCHETT)
Jay Pritchett, the closets mogul and a blustery patriarch on “Modern Family,” is portrayed by Ed O’Neill. The actor was previously known for “Married… With Children.” In real life, Ed and Catherine Russoff have been married since 1986, and just like on the show, the couple has two daughters, Claire, and Sophia, 22 years old and 19 years old respectively.
SOFIA VERGARA (GLORIA PRITCHETT)
Jay Pritchett’s second wife, Gloria, is loving, loud, and sexy and she is portrayed with just enough sass and hysterical timing by Sofia Vergara, a Colombian actress. With a luxurious Palm Beach wedding covered with flowers and flowing with romance, Sofia got married to Joe Manganiello, who is an actor from “True Blood,” back in November of 2015.
SOFIA VERGARA (GLORIA PRITCHETT)
Sofia’s “Modern Family” co-actors attended her wedding, and soon after, she was interviewed on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” She said, “It was like a fairy tale. It came out perfectly how I wanted, I have to say.” Sofia also has a son from her previous marriage, Manolo, who is 26 years old.
TY BURRELL (PHIL DUNPHY)
On “Modern Family,” Phil Dunphy is a loyal husband and a devoted dad. He is married to Claire, who is often critical. However, in real life, Ty Burrell tied the knot with Holly, who is a professional chef, in 2000. The couple has two kids, Frances, and Greta, 8 years old and 6 years old. They also have connections to Utah, where Ty has a restaurant and two bars.
TY BURRELL (PHIL DUNPHY)
To Holly and Ty Burrell, family is the world, and Burrell said to Fatherly that he loves to sit down and have dinner with his daughters and his wife each night.
“We’re very traditional in that way,” he said. “My wife and I were both raised in households where you sat down at dinner every night. It is a wonderful rhythm-of-the-day thing.”
JULIE BOWEN (CLAIRE DUNPHY)
“Modern Family’s” Claire Dunphy loves her wacky-but-loving relationship with her goofy husband Phil. However, in real life, Julie Bowen’s marriage hasn’t been really smooth lately. Back in 2004, Bowen got married to Scott Phillips, and they have three children, Oliver who is 11 years old and twins, John and Gustav who are 9 years old.
JULIE BOWEN (CLAIRE DUNPHY)
However, Julie filed for divorce earlier this year, and Julie has turned to her fellow actors and her kids to distract her from the situation.
“The beauty of having three children is they don’t give you much time for thinking,” Julie said in an interview with Us magazine back in April. “They’re like a crash course in being in the now.”
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON (MITCHELL PRITCHETT)
Viewers of “Modern Family” get a weekly glimpse into the very funny married life of Mitchell and Cameron. However, fans of Ferguson who follow him on social media can see his real-life happy marriage as well.
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON (MITCHELL PRITCHETT)
Having scriptwriter Tony Kushner officiating the wedding back in 2013, Ferguson married Justin Mikita, a lawyer, and the two founded “Tie The Knot” – a non-profit organization who are raising funds in support of same-sex marriage by selling bow ties.
ERIC STONESTREET (CAMERON TUCKER)
Eric Stonestreet portrays the lovable and loving, sensitive, football-coaching Cam, Mitch’s husband, and Lily’s father. However, Stonestreet isn’t gay in real life. He is “openly straight,” as he said on Oprah.com.
ERIC STONESTREET (CAMERON TUCKER)
The actor, who is 47 years old, is dating pediatric nurse Lindsay Schweitzer at present and he gushed over her on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” back in September 2017.
“She calms me — she calms my nerves,” he said to DeGeneres. “I’m a very high-strung person.”
SARAH HYLAND (HALEY DUNPHY)
The boy-crazy and ditzy Haley Dunphy on “Modern Family” is played by Sarah Hyland. However, in real life, Wells Adams has had her eyes locked on him for over a year now.
Back in 2016, Adams was one of the contestants on “The Bachelorette,” and it seems that when he lost, everyone won, especially Hyland.
SARAH HYLAND (HALEY DUNPHY)
After his stint on “Bachelor in Paradise” in 2017, Hyland and Adams began dating and since then, they have been a very cute couple.
ARIEL WINTER (ALEX DUNPHY)
Alex Dunphy, who is played by Ariel Winter, may be awkward and dorky on the show, but the 20-year-old actress’s real-life relationship with 30-year-old Levi Meaden (Canadian actor) looks sweet, effortless and downright steamy. Back in November of 2016, they started seeing each other and since then, they have lived together.
ARIEL WINTER (ALEX DUNPHY)
The pair has a bunny and three dogs. They both have tattoos that symbolize their partner. A tattoo of a jar of peanut butter is what Meaden got, while Winter got a chunk of cheese. The tattoos symbolize a combo which doesn’t appear to go well together, but in some way totally works.
NOLAN GOULD (LUKE DUNPHY)
Nolan Gould plays clueless Luke Dunphy. However, Gould is actually very smart, having graduated high school when he was only 13. He is now 19 years old and has practically spent his childhood on the “Modern Family” set. Because of that, he doesn’t see other cast members as possible love interests. In an interview on the “Allegedly” podcast, he was asked if he would date Ariel Winter, his onscreen sister. Gould said, “I love her but she’s a really good friend. We grew up together … I would never wanna waste that.”
NOLAN GOULD (LUKE DUNPHY)
Even though that it has been reported that he is not in a relationship, there are rumors around Gould and Joey King (actress), as you can see in the picture below, as well as Hannah Glasby (model). However, he makes sure that his dating life is kept private, or maybe the actor doesn’t have time for dating since he is busy with his successful TV show, his travels around the world with friends, and the environmental and wildlife causes which he is passionately working for.
RICO RODRIGUEZ (MANNY DELGADO)
On “Modern Family”, Manny Delgado is the first child of Gloria (Sofia Vergara). He is somewhat a mama’s boy and is portrayed by the 20-year-old actor Rico Rodriguez, who, in real life, looks as fond of his mother on the show.
RICO RODRIGUEZ (MANNY DELGADO)
However, we can’t find any proof of a serious romance in the actor’s life right now. Back in September 2016, Rodriguez told ABC News he was “[s]till single and ready to mingle.”
The actor’s greatest loves, according to his Twitter account, seems to be related to sports, so he could still be single. It’s also possible the actor simply keeps his personal life private.
FRED WILLARD (FRANK DUNPHY)
Fred Willard, a beloved comedy actor, portrays Frank, Phil’s earnest father, on “Modern Family.” He also happens to be a loving husband and father in real life as well.
FRED WILLARD (FRANK DUNPHY)
Back in 1968, Fred married playwright Mary and they have a daughter, Hope Willard. Sadly, at 71 years old, Mary unexpectedly passed away back in July of 2018. The couple was married for five decades.
SHELLEY LONG (DEDE PRITCHETT)
A former “Cheers” cast member, Shelley Long portrays DeDe Pritchett on “Modern Family.” Dede is Mitchell and Claire’s mother and Jay’s long-suffering ex-wife. Long, in real life, has been married and divorced two times.
SHELLEY LONG (DEDE PRITCHETT)
Her most recent marriage was to Bruce Tyson, a stockbroker. Shelley and Bruce have a daughter, Juliana Long Tyson, who is now 33 years old and is an accomplished actress herself.
NATHAN LANE (PEPPER SALTZMAN)
On “Modern Family,” Pepper Saltzman (recurring role) is an eccentric wedding planner played by Nathan Lane. Saltzman’s lavish ideas are more often than not a bit too much for Cam and Mitchell to handle.
NATHAN LANE (PEPPER SALTZMAN)
However, in real life, the Broadway legend opted to have a simple wedding. Lane’s partner of 18 years, Devlin Elliot, is a playwright. The couple had a quiet ceremony back in 2015 at New York’s City Hall.
ADAM DEVINE (ANDY BAILEY)
On “Modern Family,” Andy is portrayed by Adam Devine. Andy is Jay and Gloria’s friendly nanny who is kind of a problem romantically for Haley since she has a crush on the nerd because of his good nature and similarities to her dad. Although Andy has similar feelings for Haley too, the timing was always off for them. DeVine’s love life, however, seems to be a bit easygoing. Since 2015, he has been going out with actress Chloe Bridges. The couple met while co-starring in a horror film.
ADAM DEVINE (ANDY BAILEY)
A “clueless” DeVine said in an interview on an Australian radio show back in October 2017 that he hadn’t realized that Chloe might expect he would ask her hand in marriage when he took her on their romantic European vacation.
“I think she was having some grandiose ideas, meanwhile I’m too dumb to pick up on any clues,” he said.
BENJAMIN BRATT (JAVIER DELGADO)
Javier, Gloria’s suave and hunky ex-husband is played by Benjamin Bratt on “Modern Family.” Javier sometimes swoops in to visit Manny, his son, but never gives any genuine support as a father.
BENJAMIN BRATT (JAVIER DELGADO)
In real life, Bratt is very different from the role he plays on the show since he married actress Talisa Soto back in 2002 and is a devoted father to his 15-year-old Sophia and 12-year-old Mateo.
STEPHANIE BEATRIZ (SONIA RAMIREZ)
If you’re not familiar with Gloria’s sister, Sonia Ramirez, then you may know the actress Stephanie Beatriz from the show “Brooklyn 99,” where she plays Detective Rosa Diaz. Stephanie (who identifies as bisexual) and actor Brad Hoss are currently engaged. In fact, her coming out is the inspiration of a “Brooklyn 99” episode, where Beatriz’s tough-as-nails character, Diaz, came out as a bisexual too.
STEPHANIE BEATRIZ (SONIA RAMIREZ)
Stephanie clarified that even though she’s marrying a man, that doesn’t make her less queer. “I’m choosing to get married because this particular person brings out the best in me,” the actress wrote in an essay she wrote for GQ. “This person happens to be a man.”
NATHAN FILLION (RAINER SHINE)
Rainer Shine is an appropriate name for a TV weatherman. This vain character, played by Nathan Fillion on “Modern Family,” is pursuing Haley, despite the age difference that is making everyone uncomfortable.
NATHAN FILLION (RAINER SHINE)
Even though they were briefly engaged for five minutes, Rainer and Haley’s romance was never meant to last.
The “Castle” actor, in real life, has been involved with different women. The most recent was actress Krista Allen, but the two don’t appear to be together anymore.
ELIZABETH BANKS (SAL)
There are several recurring guest stars on “Modern Family,” but Elizabeth Banks is definitely among the most beloved and memorable of them. Sal is always a breath of fresh air as Mitchell and Cam’s perky and impulsive friend.
ELIZABETH BANKS (SAL)
In real life, Banks met Max Handelman, who is a sportswriter and producer, back in college at the age of 18. They both decided to wait until 2003 to get married and the couple has two sons, 7-year-old Felix, and 5-year-old Magnus.
KEVIN HART (ANDRE)
On “Modern Family,” comedian Kevin Hart appeared twice as Phil’s neighbor and friend, Andre. Hart loves nothing more than cracking jokes on stage for stand-up comedy specials, movies, and TV shows.
KEVIN HART (ANDRE)
However, what he loves, even more, is his family, mainly spending time with Eniko Parrish, his wife, and Kenzo, their baby son, as well as with Heaven and Hendrix, Hart’s kids from his previous marriage.
CHAZZ PALMINTERI (VINCENT / SHORTY)
On “Modern Family,” Chazz Palminteri plays the recurring character Shorty, one of Jay’s dearest and oldest BFFs. In 1992, the restaurant owner, writer, and seasoned actor, married Gianna Palminteri.
CHAZZ PALMINTERI (VINCENT / SHORTY)
The happy couple lives in Bedford, New York, and have two adorable children together named Gabriella Rose and Dante Lorenzo.
JENNIFER TILLY (DARLENE)
On “Modern Family,” Jennifer Tilly guest stars in a few episodes as Shorty’s (Jay’s friend) wife Darlene. Jay was dismayed when Shorty and Darlene moved to Costa Rica. However, in the succeeding episodes, Shorty returns and confesses that Darlene has another man and has left Shorty.
JENNIFER TILLY (DARLENE)
In real life, Tilly is in a relationship with Phil Laak, a poker player who was born in Ireland and wears a sunglasses and a hoodie which has earned him the moniker, “The Unabomber.” Just like Phil, Tilly also is a famous professional poker champion.
ERNIE HUDSON (MILES)
Ernie Hudson is probably well-known for playing the role of Winston Zeddemore in the film franchise, “Ghostbusters.” Well, nostalgic viewers can take pleasure in his character as Miles, Jay’s old friend, on “Modern Family.”
ERNIE HUDSON (MILES)
In real life, Hudson has been married two times. His first marriage was to Jeannie Moore in 1963, when she was just sixteen and he was eighteen. They had two sons together. However, in 1976, they got divorced. In 1985, he married Linda Kingsberg, and the two had two sons together as well.
JANE KRAKOWSKI (DR. DONNA DUNCAN)
Jane Krakowski was also is a cast member of “Ally McBeal” and “30 Rock,” so most likely the fans of these shows will immediately recognize her in the several episodes of “Modern Family,” where she plays Dr. Donna Duncan, Gloria’s passive-aggressive nemesis at Manny’s school.
JANE KRAKOWSKI (DR. DONNA DUNCAN)
When Krakowski is not acting on sitcoms, she is spending time with her 7-year-old son, Bennett. Krakowski’s ex-fiance, fashion designer Robert Godley, is Bennett’s father.
LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA (GUILLERMO)
You might not notice it the first time, but if you watch the “Modern Family” episode “Good Cop, Bad Dog,” which was originally aired back in 2011, you’ll see that the guest celebrity who played the dog trainer that pitches a horrible idea for a business to Jay is definitely Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of “Hamilton.” When Miranda isn’t concocting award-winning rhymes or playing hilarious guest characters, he’s probably enjoying some time together with his lawyer and scientist wife, Vanessa Nadal, whom he married in 2010.
LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA (GUILLERMO)
The couple has two sons, but before having their 2nd child, and while at the Tony Awards in 2016, he said in his speech, “My wife’s the reason anything gets done. She nudges me towards promise by degrees. She is a perfect symphony of one. Our son is her most beautiful reprise.”
KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY (TOM)
On “Modern Family,” Keegan-Michael Key portrays one half of the couple that Claire and Phil meet while on holiday. The Dunphys admire their new friends a lot and enjoy having a meal with them.
KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY (TOM)
However, their new friends always refuse to pay the bill. Off-screen, Key has been married to producer Elisa Pugliese since June 2017. When he proposed to her back in November 2017, Key posted on Twitter, “I’m the luckiest man ever. She said yes!”
RACHEL HARRIS (AMELIA)
On “Modern Family,” comedian Rachel Harris guest stars once as Amelia, who is a trendy restaurant owner. Cam and Mitchell have difficulty getting a reservation at Amelia’s restaurant. The couple arranges a play date for their daughter Lily and Amelia’s son.
RACHEL HARRIS (AMELIA)
The reason for this is to gain access to Amelia’s restaurant, but not everything goes according to plan, as usual. Off-screen, violinist Christian Hebel is Harris’ second husband, and they have a son, Henry, but there is another on the way!
MATT DILLON (ROBBIE)
On “Modern Family,” Matt Dillon’s role is Claire’s ex-boyfriend from high school, and during a party at Phil and Claire’s house, he shows up as Dede’s (Claire’s mom) date. Awkward! In real life, Dillon is said to be a serial dater.
MATT DILLON (ROBBIE)
The actor even has a list of “celebs who have never married.” However, actress and dancer Roberta Mastromichele, is his current girlfriend, might be able to convince Dillon to tie the knot.
JORDAN PEELE (DERRICK)
Similar to Keegan-Michael Key, his long-term comedy partner Jordan Peele made the viewers laugh when he appeared on “Modern Family.” Take the episode “A Fair to Remember” as an example. The actor portrayed a police officer who is paired up with Jay, at a charity fair event. Jay, however, was unhappy about the pairing.
JORDAN PEELE (DERRICK)
Both of them have quite a hilarious tandem onscreen, but off screen, Oscar winner Peele’s chemistry with actress and comedian Chelsea Peretti, his wife, is simply the best. She is popular among the fans as sassy Gina from “Brooklyn 99.” Peele and Peretti have a son, Beaumont Gino, who was born last July 2017.
STEVE ZAHN (RONNIE LAFONTAINE)
On “Modern Family,” the audience knows Steve Zahn as the hyper-sexual and nasty Ronnie LaFontaine, the Dunphy’s neighbor. Andrea Anders plays Amber, Zahn’s wife in the show. Off-screen, Zahn is married Robyn Peterman in 1994. They now live in rural Kentucky and Zahn seems to be enjoying a way of life that is more relaxed.
STEVE ZAHN (RONNIE LAFONTAINE)
“I met my wife in 1990 when I was on the national tour of ‘Bye, Bye Birdie,’” he said in an interview with The Irish Times back in 2017. “We moved out of the city 13 years ago, and it’s the best thing I ever did. Overheads are lower. I don’t have to work when I don’t want to.”
MATHEW BRODERICK (DAVE)
On “Modern Family,” Mathew Broderick’s character has a short storyline. His character misinterprets Phil’s typically affectionate personality as something more lustful, which got his character feeling frustrated romantically.
MATHEW BRODERICK (DAVE)
Off-screen, Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker have been married for quite some time now. They have homes in Ireland, the Hamptons, and Manhattan. They also have three kids, a 15-year-old son, James, and their 9-year-old twins, Marion and Tabitha.