Modern Family is one of those TV shows that became a cultural phenomenon, winning an incredible 22 Primetime Emmy Awards and capturing the hearts of millions.
But even years after its finale in 2020, fans might be surprised to learn some little-known facts about how the show was originally conceived — straight from one of its lead actors, Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
The Mockumentary Twist You Didn’t Know About
On a recent episode of his podcast Dinner’s on Me, Jesse, who played Mitchell Pritchard, shared an intriguing backstory about the show’s unique documentary-style format.
You might remember how the show felt like you were watching a reality series with all those direct-to-camera moments.
Well, there was a reason for that — at least, in the early days.
Jesse explained that in the very first draft of Modern Family, the story actually revolved around a foreign exchange student who had lived with Mitchell and Claire (Julie Bowen’s character) when they were younger.
This exchange student was returning to film a documentary about their family, which was originally called My American Family.
Why the Change? And What Happened to the Exchange Student?
As the show evolved, the creators decided to cut the exchange student character and renamed the show simply Modern Family.
However, they kept the mockumentary style even though they never explained the reason behind it on screen.
Jesse reminisced about how in the first few seasons, the cast really tried to maintain the illusion that a film crew was following them around, giving it that reality-TV feel.
“If you watch the early episodes, it actually feels like a real documentary,” he said.
But by seasons five and six, the style became more relaxed — like when they’d open the door after grocery shopping and just assume a camera crew was casually hanging out in their house, with no one batting an eye.
Riding the Wave of Mockumentary Popularity
When Modern Family premiered in 2009, the mockumentary style was booming in popularity thanks to shows like The Office (both the U.S. and U.K. versions) and Parks and Recreation, which also started that same year.
This format helped Modern Family stand out while blending humor and heartfelt moments.
Still Close: The Cast’s Real-Life Friendships
Even after the series ended, Jesse remains close with his former co-stars.
He frequently shares photos with them and was even the officiant at Sarah Hyland’s wedding in 2022 — Sarah played his on-screen niece, and she married Wells Adams, a fan favorite from Bachelor Nation.
The wedding took place at the scenic Sunstone Winery in California.
The Ty Burrell Reunion Mystery
In 2023, fans were worried when Ty Burrell, the beloved dad Phil Dunphy, didn’t show up at a Modern Family reunion photo shared by Sofia Vergara.
The cast held a framed photo of Ty and posted videos saying, “We miss you, Ty!” which led to wild rumors that Ty had passed away.
But Jesse and Ty set the record straight during a podcast episode.
Ty joked about the rumors, asking, “Do you remember how I died?”
He laughed off the whole thing and explained that the photo was just a playful way for the cast to include him after he missed the reunion.
Jesse shared the behind-the-scenes truth: “We brought a photo of you because we wanted to include you in the family pictures, but yeah, it did kind of look like a memorial.”
Ty teased that it was his “least favorite press photo” — him wearing headphones and making a rock-and-roll sign — and joked that it was his “punishment” for missing the reunion.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Personal Life and Family
Outside of Modern Family, Jesse has been happily married to actor Justin Mikita since 2013.
The couple tied the knot in a private Manhattan ceremony and have since grown their family with two sons, Beckett Mercer and Sullivan Louis, both born via surrogacy.
Jesse recently opened up about their surrogacy journey, sharing how grateful they are to the wonderful surrogate and her family, with whom they have developed a lasting friendship.
What’s Next for Jesse?
While Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s time on Modern Family has come to an end, fans can look forward to seeing what exciting projects he takes on next — whether on screen or behind the scenes.
One thing’s for sure: his storytelling charm and warm personality keep his audience eager for more.