Julie Bowen Reveals Where She Stands With Her ‘Modern Family’ Co-Stars

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Julie Bowen may have left the Dunphy household behind, but she has not walked away from the family she made while filming “Modern Family.” More than six years after the Emmy-winning sitcom ended, Bowen revealed that she remains close to her former co-stars and continues trying to support their latest projects. The actress also shared a playful exchange involving Sofía Vergara, who apparently believes her current role on “America’s Got Talent” may be even better than the beloved sitcom that brought them together.

Julie Bowen Remains Close To Her ‘Modern Family’ Co-Stars

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Bowen opened up about her enduring connection with the cast during an interview with Us Weekly at the Rape Treatment Center and Stuart House at UCLA Health’s annual brunch on Sunday, September 27. “You imagine spending 11 years of your life with a group of people and then not being with them,” Bowen told the outlet. “I love them.”

Bowen played Claire Dunphy throughout all 11 seasons of “Modern Family,” which followed three connected households navigating parenting, marriage and the everyday chaos of life in suburban California. The series premiered in 2009 and concluded in 2020, leaving its cast to adjust after spending more than a decade working closely together.

For Bowen, those relationships did not disappear once the cameras stopped rolling. Although the stars have moved on to different projects, they still communicate and find ways to remain involved in one another’s lives.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson Keeps Her Busy With His Latest Projects

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Bowen pointed to Jesse Tyler Ferguson as one former costar who regularly keeps her updated about his career. Ferguson, who portrayed Claire’s younger brother Mitchell Pritchett on the sitcom, recently sent Bowen a glimpse of his transformation into Truman Capote.

“Oh Lord, Jesse [Tyler Ferguson] just texted me this morning with his new look for Tru in London, and I’ve never missed any of his shows. And I might have to go to London,” Bowen said of his role in the revival of Jay Presson Allen’s solo play.

However, the actress immediately caught herself and hilariously corrected the claim. “That’s actually, that’s a lie. Why did I just say that? I’ve missed his shows,” she said. “I have to admit it. I was supposed to go to Shakespeare in the Park, and I forgot. I forgot. He’s so busy. It’s hard to keep up with everything Jesse does.”

• “Modern Family” star Julie Bowen opened up about struggling with an eating disorder during her teenage years.
• Julie Bowen shared her candid reaction to “Modern Family” costar Sofía Vergara being single amid her breakup.
• Bowen assured Vergara that she “doesn’t need” a relationship following her split from Joe Manganiello.

Sofía Vergara Thinks ‘America’s Got Talent’ Is The Best Job

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Bowen also shared a funny glimpse into the cast’s ongoing debate with Sofía Vergara. On “Modern Family,” Vergara portrayed Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Claire’s outspoken stepmother. Since the comedy ended, she has become a familiar presence on reality television as a judge on “America’s Got Talent.”

According to Bowen, Vergara enjoys reminding her former castmates that the competition series may be the best job in television. “We’re like, ‘No, ‘Modern Family’ was the best gig.’ She’s like, ‘Hmm,’” Bowen recalled with a laugh. “I mean, they’re very different gigs. I’m like, ‘Sofía, we’re your family.’ She’s like, ‘Yeah.’”

Vergara’s role on “America’s Got Talent” is considerably different from portraying Gloria on a scripted ensemble comedy. Bowen acknowledged that difference while still making her allegiance to “Modern Family” clear. For her, the long-running sitcom was more than another acting job. It created a lasting family that she continues to value years after its finale.

The Actress Supported An Important Cause In Los Angeles

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Bowen discussed her former castmates while attending the annual brunch benefiting the Rape Treatment Center and Stuart House at UCLA Health. When asked why she decided to support the event, Bowen emphasized the importance of the organization’s work with survivors.

“Honestly, it’s right in the title,” Bowen explained. “It’s a rape treatment center, and I’m not going to ask you, and I’m not going to ask your neighbor, who’s right next to you, or anybody here, but I know that you know somebody, or you will know somebody who, unfortunately, has been bodily violated, and these people are doing incredible work, and they’re all about the victims.”

The actress had personally visited the treatment center and came away impressed by its approach.

Julie Bowen Praised The Center’s Focus On Survivors

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Bowen explained that survivors receiving help at the center are allowed to make their own decisions throughout the process. “I went and visited The Rape Treatment Center, and everything is about them feeling that they’re in control,” she said.

“If you don’t want to give your name, you don’t have to. If you don’t want to get a sample kit done, you don’t. If you want to, you do. It is a wonderful way to start the process of having someone feel they have their own bodily autonomy again,” the actress added.

The former co-stars may no longer see one another on set every day, but their connection remains strong, even if she occasionally forgets to attend one of Ferguson’s shows.

The Julie Bowen Reveals Where She Stands With Her ‘Modern Family’ Co-Stars first appeared on The Blast