Summary
The cast of "Modern Family" saw significant pay raises, resulting from the show's immense success. In the final season, some actors were earning as staggering as $500,000 per episode. Rico Rodriguez, known for his portrayal of Manny, experienced a remarkable salary increase, going from $75,000 to $125,000 per episode.In the final season of Modern Family, actors such as Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Eric Stonestreet saw their earnings per episode increase to $500,000 following pay negotiations for equal pay among the adult cast members. The show, which concluded in 2020 after 11 successful seasons, experienced changes in the salaries of the Modern Family cast throughout its run. With over 200 episodes, the show was a standout hit for ABC and served as a launching pad for the careers of many of its stars. Notably, Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez, and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons were all children when the show debuted in 2009, and have since grown into young adults and adults.
Time flew by while keeping up with the Pritchett-Delgados, Dunphys, and Pritchett-Tuckers. With critical acclaim, a devoted audience, and over 20 Emmy wins, it's no surprise that the cast would have received salary bumps. As Modern Family continued to achieve greater success, the actors and actresses reaped the financial rewards. By the final season of this popular mockumentary-style sitcom, the cast members were enjoying significantly higher Modern Family salaries.
Rico Rodriguez: $125,000 An Episode
Rico Rodriguez portrayed the character of Manny Delgado-Pritchett in the popular sitcom Modern Family. Right from the very first episode, he became an integral part of the Modern Family cast. Manny is the son of Gloria and the stepson of Jay, who treats him as his own kin. Despite his young age, Manny exudes an irresistible charm and sophistication, never truly embracing his childhood. He can often be spotted sipping on espresso, engrossed in poetry, and easily smitten by any beautiful girl that catches his eye. According to Celebrity Networth, Rico initially earned $75,000 per episode, but as the show achieved immense success, his pay increased to $125,000 in 2018, a trend that continued until the final season.
Ed O’Neill: $500,000 An Episode
When Modern Family aired, it was not surprising that Ed O'Neil emerged as the show's biggest star. As a result, he commanded the highest initial salary among the cast members, earning $105,000 per episode according to Cheat Sheet. However, over time, O'Neil joined his fellow adult castmates in contract negotiations that involved a lawsuit against 20th Century Fox. As a result of the lawsuit's outcome, his salary increased to $500,000 per episode. Additionally, it has been rumored that O'Neil had a greater share in profit sharing and residual payouts during the early seasons of the show, although specific figures have not been made public.
In Modern Family, O'Neil portrayed the character Jay Pritchett, who serves as the family patriarch. He is the father of Claire and Mitchell, stepfather to Manny, and the husband of Gloria. Jay is a successful businessman who amassed his wealth in the closet industry. While he may come across as a straightforward individual, Jay's hot temper and inability to accept setbacks or unfavorable circumstances often make him one of the show's less likable characters.
Nolan Gould: $100,000+ An Episode
Nolan Gould portrayed the beloved character Luke Dunphy, known as the "dumb brother." Luke, the son of Claire and Phil, shares a close bond with his father and they enjoy doing everything together. However, when the whole family is present, Luke typically spends time with Manny, who is actually his uncle, engaging in conversations about girls.
In reality, Nolan is quite different from his character Luke and is known for his intelligence. According to TV Over Mind, he earned approximately $125,000 per episode during the last two seasons, a remarkable achievement for a 21-year-old. Notably, Gould, Rodriguez, Ariel Winter, and Sarah Hyland all successfully renegotiated their contracts before the production of season 10, resulting in substantial salary increases for the final two seasons of Modern Family for these four talented young actors.
Julie Bowen: $500,000 An Episode
Actress Julie Bowen portrayed the character of Claire Dunphy in the show. Claire is Phil's wife and the mother of three lively children. After being a stay-at-home parent for more than two decades, she returned to the workforce and discovered her true self. Although Claire is known for being uptight and overly involved in her children's decisions, she remains reliable and always there to support them. In the final season, Bowen earned a substantial amount of $500,000 per episode compared to her previous salary of $190,000 per episode in 2014. This placed her at an equal level with her fellow adult cast members, as they all negotiated their contracts collectively.
Ty Burrell: $500,000 An Episode
Ty Burrell portrayed the comical father figure, Phil Dunphy, in the popular TV series Modern Family. Phil, a successful real estate agent in Southern California, not only takes pride in his career but finds immense joy in being a devoted dad to his three children. He shares a special bond with his son Luke, often engaging in playful activities and creating innovative experiments during their leisure time.
Burrell's portrayal of Phil breathed life into the character throughout the show's eleven seasons, earning him the recognition as one of the funniest characters in Modern Family. According to Variety, Ty initially earned approximately $350,000 per episode, but as the series approached its final season, he secured a contract that promised a substantial increase in earnings, reaching $500,000 per episode, alongside his co-stars such as Bowen.
Ariel Winter: $100,000-125,000 An Episode
Actress Ariel Winter portrayed the intelligent character, Alex, on the show. In contrast to her siblings Haley and Luke, Alex displayed ambition from an early age and always had a clear aspiration to become a scientist. Unlike other kids in the show, she had multiple college options available to her. Over time, despite being frequently bullied by her older sister, Alex found her confidence and established herself.
In terms of her earnings per episode, there is some discrepancy among websites, with figures ranging between $100,000 and $125,000. Considering the show typically has more than 20 episodes per season, this represents a substantial amount, even accounting for the wide variance in reported earnings. Rumors suggest that Winter, Gould, Rodriguez, and Hyland all received the same salaries in the final two seasons of Modern Family, as their contracts were renegotiated simultaneously.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson: $500,000 An Episode
Jesse Tyler Ferguson portrayed the character of Mitchell Pritchett, Cam's husband and Lily's father. Known for his uptight yet beloved personality, Mitchell is quite different from his sister Claire but also shares similarities with her. He possesses a higher level of sensitivity and emotional awareness compared to Claire, but shares a general sense of anxiety, similar to his sister.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jesse Tyler Ferguson initially earned $65,000 per episode during the early stages of the show. However, in the final season, he commanded a staggering sum of $500,000 per episode. This increase in salary can be attributed to the negotiations for pay equality among the adult cast members, resulting in Ferguson receiving the same Modern Family salary as Bowen and Burrell.
Sarah Hyland: $100,000-125,000 An Episode
Sarah Hyland portrayed the role of Haley Dunphy, the scatterbrained older sister with a penchant for rebellious men. Despite being the oldest among the Dunphy siblings, Haley's protectiveness towards her younger brothers and sisters wasn't always evident. At times, she displayed selfishness, a lack of education, and even unkindness. However, as she grew older, Haley's character underwent a transformation, becoming kinder and more focused on her family. This development has been hailed as one of the standout character arcs in Modern Family.
During the course of the show, Hyland's earnings per episode started at approximately $70,000 and eventually reached the same level as her TV siblings, exceeding $100,000 per episode towards the end of the series. Prior to the tenth season, negotiations took place for Hyland, Winter, Gould, and Rodriguez, resulting in all four actors receiving salaries within the same salary range for the final two seasons of Modern Family.
Eric Stonestreet: $500,000 An Episode
Eric Stonestreet gained a significant fan base through his portrayal of Cameron Tucker-Pritchett. His comedic skills, deep understanding of farm animals, and loving bond with the Pritchett family endeared him to viewers right from the beginning. As a devoted father to Lily and a loving partner to Mitchell, their family of three navigates through various dramatic situations, all contributing to the show's remarkable success.
Similarly to the other adult actors in Modern Family, Stonestreet's earnings per episode gradually increased over time. In the final season, he earned an impressive $500,000 per episode, a significant leap from the $100,000 he used to make per episode earlier in the series. This salary growth aligns with the show's continuous improvement and popularity.
Sofia Vergara: $500,000 An Episode
Gloria is a typical fiery Colombian woman who fiercely protects her two sons, Manny and Joe. Her relationship with Jay began when they met in a diner, and their love story quickly became a part of their family's history. Although it took some time for the rest of the family to fully accept her, Gloria eventually became an integral member of the family.
Thanks to her portrayal of Gloria Pritchett on Modern Family, Sofia Vergara was the highest-paid TV actress throughout the show's seven-year run. Her salary increased significantly from $190,000 to $500,000 per episode, making it a respectable Modern Family salary compared to her fellow cast members. However, these salary increases did not happen immediately. Rather, it took a decade of incremental raises for the entire Modern Family cast to reach these higher income levels.