Alex's Romantic Journey: A Ranking of Modern Family's Love Interests

Summary

Alex Dunphy experienced a multitude of romantic relationships throughout the series, encountering a diverse range of partners, each with their own distinct qualities, from enchanting to disingenuous. However, she ultimately discovered true love in the form of Arvin Fennerman.

Throughout the course of the show, Alex's romantic endeavors were often overshadowed by her unwavering dedication to her studies and the unpredictable romantic exploits of her sister, Haley.

Throughout her journey, Alex had a fair share of short-lived and heartbreak-inducing relationships. However, these experiences taught her valuable lessons about love. Eventually, she found someone who truly understood and supported her, bringing an end to her search for a fulfilling connection.

Over the course of 11 seasons, devoted viewers of Modern Family witnessed the growth of the Dunphy children into adults. Alongside their coming-of-age, the show explored the various romantic entanglements that emerged, including those of Alex Dunphy. Interestingly, the series placed significant emphasis on Haley's tumultuous love life, causing fans to overlook the romantic pursuits and interests of Alex (played by Ariel Winter) and the reciprocation she received. Initially, Alex dedicated her attention to school and scrutinizing Haley's relationship mishaps. Nonetheless, she also experienced her own romantic endeavors throughout the first few seasons.

11 James The Wallet Thief

: Alex Dunphy was renowned for her intelligence and witty remarks rather than her romantic relationships. While she played a vital role in keeping the Dunphys grounded during their comical moments, her primary focus remained on excelling academically and moving forward in life. Nevertheless, it would be unfair to disregard her love life entirely. Although Alex had dated numerous men, it was in the later seasons that she allocated time away from school and work to concentrate on matters of the heart. From her mother's intern to her brother's acquaintances to a brilliant astrophysicist, Alex's boyfriends held considerable potential.

In the episode titled "Crazy Train," the entire family embarked on a train journey to attend DeDe's wedding. Throughout the episode, various members of the family expressed their frustration with train travel. Eventually, Alex empathized with their sentiments after meeting James, a person with whom she quickly let her guard down. Initially seated together in first-class, James attempted to remain by Alex's side but was promptly redirected to the coach section. Without hesitation, Alex joined him, and the two enjoyed each other's company immensely. However, their moments of happiness were abruptly disrupted when James mysteriously vanished. Fans speculated that he was a character from Modern Family who exited too soon, until Alex made the shocking realization that James had stolen her wallet. While charismatic and initially enjoyable, Alex deserved someone who would not jeopardize her trust by engaging in theft.

10 Michael The Friend

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Alex Dunphy's first significant boyfriend in the series was Michael. In season 3, Alex was overjoyed to finally have a boyfriend because it meant she would have a prom date. Claire and Phil were thrilled that their daughter was not only attending prom, but also had a companion, especially since Alex had been more focused on her studies than her social life. They wanted her to fully experience her teenage years.

However, when Michael arrived at the Dunphy household, Phil and Claire immediately sensed that their relationship was purely platonic. Despite Michael's attempts to show affection towards Alex, the two lacked chemistry. While he was kind and treated her well, it became evident that they were better off remaining friends.

9 Alec The "Fake" Boyfriend

Alex's heart was captured by Alec, although they only met briefly. The details of their meeting remain uncertain, as Alex chose to keep their relationship a secret until she finally confided in her parents. The true compatibility between them remains ambiguous, as Alex is the sole narrator when discussing their connection.

Regrettably, Claire and Haley dismissed Alex whenever she mentioned Alec, believing she fabricated his existence to align with Haley Dunphy and her numerous romantic entanglements. However, it was revealed that Alec was indeed a genuine person. Unfortunately, his decision to end their relationship stemmed from his family's relocation to Africa, leaving Alex heartbroken.

8 Teddy The Bad Boy

In Modern Family, Haley seems to have a penchant for bad boy boyfriends, unlike Alex. However, there were a few instances where Alex also attracted the attention of bad boys. Following her breakup with Alec, Alex was surprised to discover that the person leaving flowers on her porch was actually Teddy, not Alec as she initially believed.

Unlike Alex's previous boyfriends, Teddy appeared to be a bad boy. He rode a motorcycle and worked at the cemetery, where he would steal flowers and an American flag as a gesture for her. It was clear that Alex was infatuated with Teddy, but they were definitely not meant to be. Their relationship didn't make sense, especially considering Alex's habit of judging Haley's attraction to bad boys.

7 Jimmy Scrivano

While on vacation in Wyoming, the Modern Family characters embarked on horseback rides, while Alex found herself caught up in the attention of a boy named Jimmy. Their meeting took place by the pool, where Jimmy accidentally splashed water on her while she was reading. This encounter led to a confrontation, but instead of being deterred, Jimmy couldn't help but flirt with her, surprising Alex. Although she wasn't particularly attracted to Jimmy, she was intrigued by the idea of someone actually liking her.

What came as an even bigger surprise was when Jimmy kissed her. She had not anticipated it and, to be honest, didn't seem interested. However, their interaction didn't progress further after their time in Wyoming. While Jimmy didn't hold a significant place among Alex Dunphy's serious boyfriends, it was refreshing to see her let loose for once. At the age of 13 during that time, Alex had yet to develop an interest in dating. Nevertheless, Jimmy shed light on the fact that others could be interested in her.

6 Ben, Claire's Assistant

5 Reuben Rand

Initially, Ben appeared to be the ideal match for Alex. He was older, had a established career, understood the dynamics of dealing with a bully like Claire Dunphy, and preferred staying at home. However, over time, Alex grew weary of him as he became too complacent and failed to ignite her excitement. Adding to that, Claire vehemently opposed the notion of her assistant dating her own daughter. Consequently, Alex eventually ended the relationship with Ben, which ultimately proved to be for the best. It was during this breakup that she discovered his infidelity with his former girlfriend. Prior to this revelation, he had seemed to be a suitable partner for both Alex and the Dunphy family.

Both Haley and Alex Dunphy from Modern Family have boyfriends who differ in age. Throughout the series, both sisters engage in relationships with older men. However, Alex also experiences a brief romance with a younger man named Reuben. Reuben was acquainted with Manny and Luke and possessed a slightly theatrical demeanor, which didn't particularly appeal to Alex.

However, their connection was undeniable. He was the one person whom Alex pushed away but couldn't seem to keep at bay. Regardless of how rude she was to Reuben, he always returned and managed to win her over. Moreover, Reuben exhibited exceptional intelligence and possessed an extensive knowledge base. If Alex could set aside the age gap and his "dorkiness," these two individuals could have potentially been a perfect match in a few years' time, rather than during his high school years.

4 Sanjay Patel

Was Sanjay Patel the perfect match for Alex Dunphy? Not only was he highly intelligent like her, but he also attended an exceptional school and motivated her to strive for improvement. Initially, they were fierce rivals, but eventually, they developed romantic feelings for one another. However, with their rational thinking, the couple mutually agreed to end their relationship before starting college.

Alex and Sanjay were well aware of the grim reality that long-distance relationships often do not withstand the test of separation, and their fears turned out to be true. Despite their initial decision to give it a shot, Sanjay's infidelity shattered Alex's heart, causing him to become one of the most disliked characters in the Modern Family series. Nevertheless, had fate brought them together at a different stage in life, where distance was not a hindrance, they might have ended up being a perfect match.

3 Jason Darling

During a joint visit to Caltech, Alex and Jason crossed paths and instantly formed a bond. Their participation in a tour group sparked a semi-competitive dynamic as they tackled questions together. Familiar with Alex's infamous flirting awkwardness, fans were surprised to learn that Jason was equally as inept. Initially, both resorted to fabrications, but eventually came clean during their visit to the school. If fate allowed them to both enroll at Caltech, it seemed that these two youngsters had a genuine chance at something extraordinary.

Sadly, following this incident,

2 Bill The Firefighter

fans were left in the dark regarding Jason's subsequent whereabouts. Although Jason and Alex established a friendship on Facebook, their hopes of reconnecting at Caltech were dashed. Could Jason have been the one that got away from Alex Dunphy? If their paths failed to intersect during their school years, could he have pursued his endeavors elsewhere? This enigma will forever remain unanswered, yet these two individuals possessed the potential for an extraordinary relationship.

Bill, a firefighter, became Alex's savior when he rescued her from the fiery disaster that engulfed her dorm room. Despite their contrasting personalities, the couple managed to find a connection and appeared to be a perfect match. They soon became a beloved duo, drawing support from enthusiastic Modern Family fans. In contrast to Arvin, whom Alex had previously admired for his intelligence, Bill may not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, but his heart of gold made him an invaluable addition to the family. He complemented Alex's character flawlessly and proved his worth by standing up for himself whenever she questioned his qualities.

1 Arvin Fennerman

The dynamic between them was a perfect fit, with Bill coaxing out Alex's emotional side, while she helped him come to terms with not being a genius. Unfortunately, their relationship came crashing down due to a miscommunication. Alex mistakenly sent compromising photos to a colleague instead of Bill, thanks to a mix-up with phone numbers. Shockingly, instead of consoling her, Bill placed blame on Alex. This abrupt end to their relationship exposed a side of Bill that was far less understanding than initially believed.

Initially, the age difference between Alex and Arvin may have deterred some fans of Modern Family. However, Arvin turned out to be the perfect match for Alex. He started off as her professor, igniting a crush within her. Unfortunately, her feelings diminished when he began dating Haley. In an attempt to move on, Alex pursued a relationship with Bill, but it ultimately failed. Meanwhile, Haley realized that she still loved Dylan more than Arvin and ended up cheating on him, leading to their breakup.

Alex took the opportunity to pursue Arvin once she was no longer his student, and it turned out to be a successful move. As the series came to a close, they started dating and started preparing for a joint work trip overseas. Being in the same field and having experienced infidelity, they knew how to navigate the challenges of both their professional and personal lives. If fans had one wish for Alex, it would undoubtedly be for her to be with Arvin. A spin-off of their new life together would be the perfect addition to Modern Family.