Rico Rodriguez

Character: Manny Delgado

Don't you wish that you could go through life without a hint of self-consciousness? If so, you should follow the lead of young Manny Delgado. This kid is an enigma. He has inherited his mother's passion for life and often wears his heart on his sleeve. Manny's zeal appeal is often lost on stepdad Jay but is always fully supported by mom Gloria. Manny is not afraid to take chances. He once made a move on a much older 16-year-old girl at the mall. He was rejected, but not defeated. Manny seems to have developed a little crush on Haley but continues to play the field. You just can't keep a passionate man down!

Actor Bio

Rico Rodriguez was born in College Station, Texas, and from birth through his young boyhood was extremely shy. Little did he know how drastically his life would change.

In 2005, at the age of six, Rico made the move from Texas to Los Angeles, California with his mom and sister to support his sister's dream of becoming an actress. After one year of watching his sister having fun and success, Rico enrolled in acting classes and soon started making a name for himself.

Rico booked his first role in the video How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Next came the role of Chanchito in the film Epic Movie, a super fun role as the kid janitor in the soon to be releasedOpposite Day, and another great part -- including flying cake -- in the upcoming The No-Sit List.His television credits include co-starring as Young Guillermo in Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cory in the House, ER, 'Til Death, iCarly, Nip/Tuck, Surviving Suburbia and NCIS. He has also has been seen in commercials for Roundtable Pizza, Time Warner Cable, Dodge, Walmart, BlueCross, Chrysler and AT&T.

Rico is grateful to be living his dream and has a very bright future.

Nolan Gould

Character: Luke Dunphy

Much like his two older sisters, Luke Dunphy marches to the beat of his own drum. It's an offbeat beat to say the least. Sometimes Luke gets his head stuck in the banister, other times he jumps around on the trampoline while in his underwear with a box on his head. Told ya he was offbeat. But Luke is epitomizes the innocence of youth. He didn't think it was a big deal to mention that his mom thought her dad's new wife was a "coal digger." Of course, Luke got the phrase wrong. What he meant was that Claire thought Gloria was a "gold digger." Ahhh. Careful what you say around this guy.

Actor Bio

Ten year-old Nolan Gould began his career at the tender age of three doing commercials and totally fell in love with acting. He has worked consistently since the day he first stepped on that commercial set. His most recent films include leads in the features Space Buddies and Montana.Current television credits include Eleventh Hour and the movie of the week, Sweet Nothing in My Ear.

Nolan is a well-balanced young actor who believes hard work pays off. He has trained with Patrick Malone and Lisa Picotte for years, focusing on scene study, cold reading and improv. He especially enjoys improv, and keeps his skills honed by performing in a weekly live improv show. All his effort and training have culminated in a well-rounded, confident young actor who loves to tell stories and entertain.

Nolan has an extensive vintage Hot Wheels collection, loves his LEGO bricks and enjoys swimming and sports. He is an active Mensa member and loves to read and learn.

 

 

Ariel Winter

Character: Alex Dunphy

You know those kids who are so intelligent it's almost annoying? Well, Alex Dunphy is super smart but in a completely likeable way. She's the middle child which means she enjoys messing with both her older sister and younger brother equally. You kind of get the sense that Alex is an outside observer to the antics that surround her while quietly doing her own thing. As much as she enjoys torturing her brother and sister, you get the sense that she'll always have their backs.

Actor Bio

Gorgeous, perky and adorable are just a few words to describe young Ariel Winter, who started her acting career at the age of four. Ariel can next be seen in the supporting role of Lila opposite Eddie Murphy and Kerry Washington in the DreamWorks comedy, A Thousand Words, about a man who finds out he only has 1,000 words left to speak and then he'll die.

Most recently Ariel has had a recurring role on the final six episodes of ER as Lucy, a young girl whose mother is brought into the ER in need of a heart transplant. This year she will also appear in the thriller Duress, opposite Martin Donovan. Best known as Trixie in Warner Bros.' Speed Racer, Ariel's other recent credits include the film Opposite Day and Nic & Tristan Go Mega Dega.

Ariel always wanted to act. She can remember wanting to enter the TV set and actually exploreDora The Explorer. After noticing her daughter's passion for the craft, Ariel's mother started to research and found her an agent. She landed her first paying job immediately in a Cool Whip commercial and hasn't stopped working since!

Ariel's past credits include guest-starring roles on the hit TV shows Criminal Minds, Crossing Jordan, Nip/Tuck and Bones. Feature credits include a lead role in the hit thriller One Missed Call, in which she plays the killer of the film. In addition, Ariel is the voice of Gretchen on Walt Disney's hit show Phineas and Ferb, voiced a supporting character in the hit animated filmHorton Hears a Who and played Thumper's sister in Bambi II. She started her motion picture career at age seven in director Shane Black's hit cult film, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, starring Val Kilmer, Robert Downey Jr. and Michelle Monaghan.

When she is not working, this Los Angeles native is an avid singer and has a band with her best friend called WickedSweet. They've already recorded their first CD. Ariel also enjoys hanging out with her three dogs -- Pebbles, Hercules and Cher -- jumping on her trampoline and going to the movies with friends. Even at her young age, Ariel is aware of dangers to our environment and is involved in environmental charities to promote a greener living.

 

Sarah Hyland

Character: Hayley Dunphy

The good news is that Haley is a typical teenager. Unfortunately, that's also the bad news. She's growing up a little too fast. Haley is supremely independent but sometimes a little naïve. She once rubbed her cell phone on her head for an hour because her sister, Alex, told her it would recharge the battery. It didn't. She argues with her mom and gets embarrassed by her dad, especially when he tries to buddy up to her boyfriend, Dylan, who loves the confidence Haley gets from being part of such a loving family. Yeah, we love that about her, too.

Actor Bio

Sarah Hyland is a Native New Yorker, born to actors Edward James Hyland and Melissa Canaday. Trained in all areas of dance from the age of three and vocally trained since she was seven, Hyland is a true triple threat. She has been working in film, TV series, soaps and commercials since she was four years old.

Hyland's first film was Howard Stern's Private Parts. At the age of eight she landed the role of Molly in ABC's Annie, and Young Audrey in The Audrey Hepburn Story. After filming Annie, she landed the role of Jess Pistone on Falcone. On stage she starred as Annie in Annie at Papermill Playhouse, and then went on to do a series of plays and musicals Off-Broadway and regionally --Bad Girls, A Little Princess and Dark Park of the Forest to name a few. She's guest starred on episodes of Touched by an Angel, Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU.

While attending the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City, Hyland created the role of Jackie Bouvier in Grey Gardens at Playwrights Horizons and moved with the production to make her Broadway Debut. Her most recent work includes the recurring role of Maddie Healy (Brooke Shields' daughter) on Lipstick Jungle and a tour-de-force guest starring role on Law & Order: SVU.

 

Ed O'Neill

Character: Jay Pritchett

Jay Pritchett is on the south side of middle age. He recently married the much younger, much hotter, much more Colombian Gloria. He's already done the dad thing once with Claire and Mitchell. Now he's ready for round two with Gloria's son, Manny. There's a bit of a cultural clash. Jay is pretty set in his no-nonsense ways. But Gloria is quite fiery and Manny is most passionate. They are forcing Jay to change the way he thinks and embrace new experiences. Well, maybe embrace is too strong of a word. Let's just say he tolerates things. As much as he tries to cover his emotions with his gruff exterior, we can see that family is everything to Jay.

Actor Bio

Ed O'Neill is best known for his role as the main character, Al Bundy, on the FOX Network's long running sitcom, Married... with Children.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, O'Neill attended Ohio University in Athens, OH, and Youngstown State University. Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was cut in training camp and worked as a social studies teacher before becoming an actor. He has appeared in a number of movies, including The Bone Collector, Little Giants, Dutch and the Wayne's World series.

Besides his role on Married... with Children, O'Neill's television credits include the reincarnation of Sgt. Joe Friday on Dick Wolf's remake of Dragnet, the recurring role of Baker (D-PA), a potential Vice Presidential candidate on the NBC drama The West Wing, the role of Detective Michael Mooney on David Milch's CBS series, Big Apple, and most recently that of a retired cop on HBO's John from Cincinnati, from the creator/producer of NYPD Blue and Deadwood.

 

 

Sofia Vergara

Character: Gloria Pritchett

Gloria hails from a lovely little village in Colombia, which also happens to be the murder capital of that fine country. She's married to Jay, who is quite a few years older. That doesn't matter to Gloria. She loves what she loves. And she truly loves Jay and her young son, Manny. Anyone who doubts this had better think twice about saying so. See, Gloria is most passionate. She's not afraid to say exactly what's on her mind. In fact, we don't think she's afraid of anything. Gloria truly embraces life. Guess that's why Jay fell in love with her. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she's drop-dead gorgeous, too.

 

Actor Bio

Sofía Vergara was already one of the hottest Hispanic TV stars and one of the most beloved personalities of the Latino world when she decided to pursue her career in the U.S., becoming one of the few Hispanic stars to find crossover success.

Most recently Vergara has appeared in Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns and Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail for Lionsgate, and on ABC's Dirty Sexy Money. Before that she played the sexy Colombian actress who stirred things up on Entourage, starred in Amas de Casa Desesperadas,the Latin-tailored version of Desperate Housewives, and in the FOX comedy feature Chasing Papi.

Director Barry Sonnenfeld gave Vergara her big break in the U.S. when he cast her as Nina in Disney's comedy film, Big Trouble, with Tim Allen and Rene Russo. That was followed by a pivotal dramatic role opposite James Marsden in Anthony Piccirillo's independent film, The 24th Day, and opposite Mark Wahlberg and Terrence Howard in Four Brothers. On stage she is taking on the role of Matron Mama Morton in the Chicago Broadway tour this Spring.

Vergara has graced the cover of over 100 international magazines and hosted dozens of top Hispanic events, each watched by more than 100 million viewers. Her Hispanic television credits include Fuera de Serie on Univisión and her own top-rated weekly show,"A que no te atreves" (I dare you). When she became the host of "La Bomba," a syndicated music and interview TV show, she caused a ratings explosion.

In 1999 Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú awarded Vergara the Hispanic Woman of the Year Award, commending her leadership skills representing the qualities Latina women have to offer to the world. In 2001 she created "Peace and Hope for the Children of Colombia," a charity foundation that has helped thousands of children in her country and has donated a pediatric cancer pavilion in her native Barranquilla.

In 2002 Vergara was awarded the Women of Hope Award by the City of Hope Organization as one of the outstanding role models for future generations. In 2007 she was named one of The 25 Most Powerful Hispanic Women in the Entertainment Industry by The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard.

 

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Character: Mitchell Pritchett

Mitchell is a serious, low key kind of guy. In other words, he's the exact opposite of his partner, Cameron. But opposites attract and Mitchell seems to have found the perfect counterbalance for his sometimes uptight, worrying ways. Mitchell has always been a little competitive with his sister Claire and he knows that dad Jay isn't completely comfortable with the fact that he's gay. Guess that's why it was so hard for him to tell the family that he and Cam adopted a beautiful baby girl. Of course, his family welcomed Lily with open arms knowing that she's lucky to have such a cautious, worrisome, overprotective, completely loving dad.

Actor Bio

No stranger to television, Jesse Tyler Ferguson received rave reviews and was honored by The Hollywood Reporter in 2006 as one of Ten to Watch for his role on the CBS ensemble sitcom, The Class. Additional television credits include Do Not Disturb and Ugly Betty.

Ferguson's film credits include Untraceable, directed by Gregory Hoblit and starring Diane Lane, and Griffin & Phoenix, with Amanda Peet and Dermot Mulroney. He will next appear opposite Matthew Broderick in Wonderful World," a 2009 Tribeca Film Festival selection that marks the feature directorial debut of Joshua Goldin.

Born in Missoula, Montana, Ferguson made the decision to become an actor when he was eight years old, and soon after joined the Albuquerque Children's Theater, where he remained a member for six years. After graduating high school, he moved to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and began performing in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, the most notable of which were the critically-acclaimed, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Outstanding Ensemble Performance winner, Drama Desk Awards, 2005) and the Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (Distinguished Performance nominee, Drama League Awards, 2008).

 

Eric Stonestreet

Character: Cameron Tucker

How many one-time professional party clowns have also played on the offensive line for a Big Ten school? We know of at least one. Yes, Cameron Tucker was a center for the Fighting Illini as well as a classically-trained Auguste clown named Fizbo. But we know and love him as Mitchell Pritchett's longtime boyfriend and the adoptive father of a Vietnamese baby named Lily. Cam's bubbly, carefree personality proves to be a perfect complement to Mitchell's slightly uptight ways. Cameron says, "I'm sort of like Costco. I'm big, I'm not fancy and I dare you not to like me." We'd never take that dare because we know people love the Cam show.

Actor Bio

Born and raised in Kansas City, Eric Stonestreet grew up far from the bright lights of Los Angeles. As a young man raising pigs, he never would have imagined that he would end up an actor in Los Angeles. But while at Kansas State University, studying to be a prison administrator, a friend dared him to audition for the play Prelude to a Kiss. Stonestreet was cast in the play (in the smallest role) and was, as they say, bitten by the bug.

After graduating with a degree in Sociology, he moved to Chicago to study and perform theatre and improv, spending two years doing television commercials and studying with IO Chicago and The Second City before moving further west. While he continued doing commercial work, Stonestreet built an impressive resume of memorable characters on shows including Dharma & Greg, Malcolm in the Middle, Party of Five, Spin City, ER, The West Wing, American Dad, Providence, Close to Home, Crossing Jordan and Bones. His most notable character is from his recurring turn as Ronnie Litre, the questionable documents tech on the original CSI. Stonestreet was a series regular in the Fox pilot 13 Graves and has most recently guest starred in The Mentalist, NCIS, Nip/Tuck and Pushing Daisies.

On the big screen he played Sheldon, the hotel desk clerk, in Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous,and in 2003 he starred in IFC'S cult classic Girls Will Be Girls, which was an official selection to the Sundance Film Festival.

Over his 13 year career, Stonestreet is most proud of the friends he's made along the way and thankful for the support and encouragement he's had from his mother and father. He considers himself "just a guy from Kansas who is fortunate enough to have opportunities to be on TV"

In his spare time he enjoys playing the drums, taking pictures, driving and nature. He shares his success and Valley Village, California home with his best friend and right-hand man, Coleman Hawkins, his dog.

 

Julie Bowen

Character: Claire Dunphy

If her teenage daughter Haley never wakes up on a beach in Florida half-naked, then Claire Dunphy feels she's done her job as mom. See, it's not easy to keep everyone in line when you're raising three very different kids (four, if you include hubby Phil). But as exasperated as she sometimes seems to be, we get the sense that Claire wouldn't change a thing when it comes to her family. Well, she might want Phil to take out the trash once in awhile... and for Haley and Alex to stop fighting... and it would be nice if Luke wore clothes while jumping in the trampoline. Still, as Jay's only daughter and Mitchell's older sis, she's the linchpin that keeps this Modern Familygoing.

Actor Bio

Julie Bowen was raised in Baltimore, MD, where she caught the acting bug as a child while putting on plays with her two sisters in their backyard. She attended Brown University, where she starred in Guys and Dolls, Stage Door and Lemon Sky. While earning a degree in Italian Renaissance studies, she also spent a year in Florence, Italy, and became fluent in Italian.

During her senior year at Brown, Bowen landed the lead role in an independent film entitled Five Spot Jewel, and was featured in actor-director Ed Burns' debut film, No Visible Bruises. She guest-starred on the dramatic series Class of '96, then moved to Los Angeles where, within weeks, she landed the lead in the Showtime drama Runaway Daughters, directed by Joe Dante.

Bowen was recently seen in a guest star arc on the darkly-comedic Showtime series Weeds as Lisa Ferris, a cheese shop owner who seduces a younger man, and she will soon be seen inCrazy on the Outside, a feature starring and directed by Tim Allen.

Bowen spent two seasons on ABC's critically-acclaimed Boston Legal as attorney Denise Bauer. She plays the recurring role of Matthew Fox's wife on the hit ABC series Lost and, for three seasons, played Carol Vessey, the dream girl of former classmate-turned-lawyer Ed Stevens on the charming NBC series, Ed.

On the big screen she starred as Adam Sandler's love interest in the comedy Happy Gilmore and appeared with Michael Keaton in Multiplicity. She also starred in An American Werewolf in Paris,performed with Lynn Redgrave in the independent romantic comedy Venus & Mars, and starred opposite Tim Allen in Joe Somebody.

In the advertising world, Bowen has been both the face of Neutrogena and the voice of Pampers. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three sons. When she's not working, she enjoys hiking, reading and tutoring high school students

Ty Burrell

Character: Phil Dunphy

Phil Dunphy is the cool dad. That's his thang. At least, that's what he'd like us to believe. And you know what? We kinda do! Oh, sure, Phil has those "roll your eyes" moments that have us asking, "Is the guy for real?" You bet he is. As goofy as he may seem, Phil always has his heart in the right place. He dotes on his wife Claire and he constantly tries to bond with his three kids. Phil acts like a parent and talks like a peer. He calls it "peerenting." Love it! As a real estate mogul, Phil says, "I could sell a fur coat to an Eskimo." We believe he could. Phil has a severe fear of clowns and a not-so-subtle affection for his father-in-law's beautiful new wife. But we know in our hearts this Modern Family man would never stray. He's way too cool for that.

 

Actor Bio

Through his ability to effortlessly play roles ranging from classical Shakespearean to contemporary film, Ty Burrell is quickly establishing himself as one of the most versatile actors of our time, taking on challenging roles and carving out a diverse career in movies, television and on stage.

In film Burrell recently completed shooting Fair Game, opposite Sean Penn for Doug Liman. He is scheduled to start shooting Morning Glory, opposite Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. He played Dr. Samson in Universal's The Incredible Hulk, with Edward Norton and Liv Tyler, and was inNational Treasure 2, opposite Nicolas Cage. Burrell starred opposite Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey Jr. in Steven Shainberg's film Fur, about the life of Diane Arbus. He was also seen in Finn Taylor's romantic comedy The Darwin Awards.

Other film credits include Nicole Holofcener's Friends with Money, opposite Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand and Jennifer Aniston; David Jacobson's "Down in the Valley," opposite Edward Norton and Evan Rachel Wood; the Weitz Brothers' film, In Good Company, Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down, Dawn of the Dead (Cannes Film Festival) and Ivan Reitman'sEvolution.

Burrell recently starred to great reviews in the world premiere of Caryl Churchill's play, Drunk Enough to Say I Love You, at the Royal Court Theatre in London and directed by James MacDonald. His extensive Broadway and Off-Broadway theater credits include starring in the highly acclaimed Signature Theater Off-Broadway production of Burn This, opposite Edward Norton, Catherine Keener and Dallas Roberts; starring as Lord Buckingham in the Public Theater's production of Richard III, with Peter Dinklage and directed by Peter DuBois; and starring in Paul Weitz's Show People, opposite Debra Monk and Judy Greer and directed by Peter Askin at Second Stage Theater.

On television Burrell starred in the FOX sitcom, Back to You, opposite Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. He also recently starred in the half-hour CBS sitcom Out of Practice, with Stockard Channing and Henry Winkler, and has been recurring on the FX series Damages.