'Modern Family': What Happened to the Actors after the Show and Why Fans Are Worried about Ty Burrell

• The stars of "Modern Family," the hit sitcom that ended in 2020, recently had a reunion at Sofia Vergara's house, where they shared photos and videos of their fun night.
• Ty Burrell was absent from the reunion, but the cast compensated by bringing a photo of him, leading fans to worry and momentarily fear the worst.
• The actor, who is 56 years old, has been working on several projects since the show, and his "Modern Family" co-stars greatly felt his absence during the event.

The cast of "Modern Family," one of the most popular and acclaimed sitcoms of the past decade, recently reunited for a fun-filled evening at Sofia Vergara's home. The Emmy-winning comedy, which aired for 11 seasons from 2009 to April 2020, followed the lives of three related families as they dealt with various challenges and adventures.

The show was praised for its diverse and relatable characters, witty and heartfelt writing, and groundbreaking representation of blended families and same-sex couples. During the years the actors worked together, they developed a close bond, and when they learned that one elusive cast member was in Los Angeles, they spontaneously planned a reunion.

The 'Modern Family' Reunion

The reunion, which took place on November 15, 2023, was attended by almost all of the prominent cast members, including Ed O'Neill (Jay Pritchett), Julie Bowen (Claire Dunphy), Eric Stonestreet (Cameron Tucker), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitchell Pritchett), Sarah Hyland (Haley Dunphy), Ariel Winter (Alex Dunphy), Nolan Gould (Luke Dunphy), Rico Rodriguez (Manny Delgado), and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (Lily Tucker-Pritchett).

The only one missing was Ty Burrell, who played Phil Dunphy, the lovable and goofy father of the Dunphy clan. Vergara, who played Jay's second wife, Gloria Delgado, shared several photos and videos of the gathering on her Instagram account, showing the cast members having a great time smiling, laughing, and hugging each other.

She also posted a video of a framed photo of Burrell on her fireplace mantel, with the caption, "We miss u Ty!!" In the video, the cast members are seen shouting, "We miss you, Ty!" and "I love you, Dad!" to the picture, as if they were talking to Burrell himself.

The absence of Burrell, who won two Emmys for his portrayal of Phil, sparked concern among the show fans, who wondered if he was unwell or had a falling out with his co-stars.

Some even feared that he had passed away, as they saw Winter holding his photo in the group picture. Burrell, who is 56 years old, has not publicly commented on his health status or the reason for his absence. However, according to his IMDb page, he has been busy with several projects since the end of Modern Family.

The group has kept in touch even after the show. They have been holding mini-reunions from time to time, and in August 2022, they attended Hyland's wedding in Solvang, California. These gatherings underline the unique bond formed during the "Modern Family" years.

What Has Ty Burrell Been up To?

After a stellar run as Phil, Burrell seamlessly transitioned from the cool TV dad to a multifaceted individual, both on and off the screen. In a 2017 interview, the actor gave fans a peek into his world beyond the Dunphy household.

Like his on-screen character, Burrell is more than just a funny face. He inherited a strong sense of philanthropy from his father, Gary Burrell, who dedicated his life to working with the foster care system and child services. When his father passed away, Burrell, then a college student, chose to carry on his father's legacy.

For several years, he has actively contributed to various philanthropic endeavors. The actor who played one Emmy-Winning episode of "Family Guy" is a family man in the truest sense, and he extends his concept of family far beyond the script.

In addition to his wife of over twenty years, Holly, and their adopted daughters, Frances and Greta, Burrell formed close bonds with his "Modern Family" co-stars. The bond developed over a decade of working together made them feel like a genuine family. He once said:

"I absolutely feel like everyone is family at this point."

Post-"Modern Family," Burrell didn't rest on his laurels. He ventured into voice acting, lending his voice to the character Jack Harris on "Duncanville," a show from 2020 to 2022. Additionally, he took on a narrator role in the 6th episode of the "Table Read Podcast" Season 1 in the current year, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.

Burrell has also voiced Mr. Peabody in the animated series "The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show," starred in the comedy film "The French Dispatch," and produced the documentary series "Ty Breaker," which follows him as he helps families decide whether to renovate their current homes or move to new ones.

Where Are the "Modern Family" Stars Now?

The rest of the cast members have also been active in various fields, such as acting, hosting, writing, and directing. Vergara is one of the judges on "America's Got Talent." and has several endorsement deals. O'Neil has voiced characters in the animated films "Finding Dory" and "Ralph Breaks the Internet."

Stonestreet has hosted the reality show "The Toy Box" and voiced characters in the animated films "The Secret Life of Pets 2" and "The Addams Family 2." Ferguson has hosted the game show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and the podcast "Jesse Eats," which features him interviewing celebrities at restaurants.

Bowen, who brought Claire Dunphy to life, faced personal changes as her divorce was finalized in September 2018. However, she remains resilient. A dedicated mother to three sons — Oliver, Gus, and John — Bowen has shifted gears with upcoming roles in "Hysteria" and "Wild Things." Despite life's challenges, she continues to thrive both personally and professionally.

Known for her role as the vibrant Haley Dunphy, the eldest of the Dunphy brood, Hyland faced significant health challenges. Despite enduring endometriosis and kidney failure, her positive outlook and stability are evident in her social media posts, and in August, she celebrated her first wedding anniversary.

Post-"Modern Family," she's been busy with projects like "Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin," "Untitled Sara Hyland/Emily V. Gordon Project," "My Fake Boyfriend," and "Bone, Marry, Bury."

Winter, the know-it-all Alex Dunphy, transitioned into adulthood both figuratively and literally during the running of the show. After gaining emancipation in 2014, Winter chose a path away from the Hollywood spotlight. In a candid podcast episode, she revealed her decision to leave Los Angeles in 2022, citing the paparazzi intrusion as a primary reason.

Winter embarked on a new chapter, selling her cars and house to embrace a quieter life. While settling into a new home, she continues her acting journey with projects like "Hungry" and "Pools."

Gould, the lovable baby of the family with a low IQ, Luke Dunphy, showcased his intellectual prowess by graduating high school at 13. Beyond acting, Gould explored his academic side, taking online community college courses.

Known for his love of hiking and an impressive IQ of 150, Gould continues to make strides in his career with projects such as "What's Up North," "Grey's Anatomy," "Miranda's Victim," "The Nana Project," and "Camp."

Rodriguez has appeared in the comedy film Endgame and the drama series "The Resident." Anderson-Emmons has voiced characters in the animated series "Amphibia" and "The Casagrandes."

The cast members have expressed their love and gratitude for each other and the show, which has impacted the television landscape and culture.

Fans of the sitcom are curious to know if there is a possibility of a reunion special or a spin-off in the future, but nothing has been confirmed. For now, they can enjoy watching the reruns of "Modern Family," which are available on several streaming services, including Hulu.