Summary
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson credits playing Mitchell on Modern Family with giving him a “superpower” to be his authentic self despite past homophobia.
- Ferguson recalls feeling protected from homophobic abuse thanks to his role on the hit comedy series, which also helped normalize same-sex relationships.
- The enduring popularity of Modern Family was evident during a recent reunion commercial featuring cast members, sparking speculation of a potential spin-off.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, best known for his role as Mitchell Pritchett in the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family, believes that being part of the beloved show (or perhaps just being famous) protected him from homophobic abuse after a disturbing incident early in his career. Ferguson also opens up about how playing the openly gay character gave him a “superpower” to be his authentic self and made people more accepting of his sexuality.
In a candid conversation with comedian Nicole Byer on Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast, Ferguson recounted the aforementioned experience from his past. Before his meteoric rise to fame, he and his then-boyfriend took a trip to Las Vegas, which ended in a traumatic incident of being “gay-bashed.”
“I had been in Las Vegas a few years earlier [pre-
Modern Family
], and I sort of got gay bashed a little bit. This was before… It wasn’t anything violent, but it was definitely like, there was negative energy coming at me from a couple that felt uncomfortable around me and my then-boyfriend.”
The memory contrasts with his current life, where he is happily and openly married to his longtime partner, Justin Mikita, whom he met at a Los Angeles gym in 2012. Ferguson also mentioned that when he returned to Vegas years later with Mikita, he remembered initially feeling weird and needing a minute to process just how much had changed since Modern Family.
“I went [back to Vegas] after Modern Family, and I remember feeling that same negativity initially. But then they would see who it was, and they would recognize me from being, ‘Oh, I am gay, but I’m also that gay one from TV and I like that show,’ and there would be a change.”
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Ferguson said that at first, his feeling “was disgust. Like, let’s process this.” As he became more comfortable with his emotions and the very different reception he was experiencing, Ferguson looked at it like a kind of protective shield, saying:
There was like some weird superpower, that I felt like I was being protected by this role that I was also playing, and it kind of gave me this coat of armor, and I had this protection of being this character that people also loved. I don’t know, it was really weird.
Ferguson’s portrayal of the Modern Family character Mitchell Pritchett, who is neurotic but lovable, navigates the complexities of family life with humor and heart. He shared a beautiful relationship of acceptance and understanding with his partner Cameron (Eric Stonestreet), and they raised an adopted daughter named Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) together. Modern Family’s success not only provided Ferguson with a platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and normalize same-sex relationships, but also offered him a sense of validation.
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Meanwhile, fans have raised speculations about a potential Modern Family spin-off show. Clearly, nothing has been confirmed, but the cast recently reunited for a WhatsApp commercial and sparked excitement among fans. The ad featured Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson reprising their roles as they found themselves in a humorous situation highlighting the importance of staying connected with your family.
The commercial, which aired during the 2024 NBA finals, brought back fond memories for viewers. It was proof of Modern Family’s enduring popularity and its impact on television. Not only did Modern Family entertain millions of viewers, but it also played a crucial role in promoting inclusivity with its diverse family dynamics and humorous storytelling.