In early July 2022, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Nolan Gould saw each other on the streets of New York City, according to People, which was heartwarming for Modern Family fans to read about. It's nice to know that the cast is just as close as the characters are.
Over 11 seasons, viewers know everything about this big family, from the lowest moments that they have experienced to the times that they have celebrated and felt on top of the world. Fans voted on Ranker for their favorite Modern Family characters, the ones who keep viewers smiling all the time and who make the show a joy to watch.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Stella
Jay loves his dog Stella on Modern Family, and Stella is as much a part of the show as Jay and his relatives, so it makes sense that Stella is a fan favorite. Stella becomes part of the family in season 2 and is there for many big moments.
It's moving watching Jay and Stella bond and Stella teaches Jay a lot of significant lessons about becoming a compassionate and caring person. Viewers know that Jay can be harsh sometimes and it's sweet seeing him and Stella hang out together.
Alex Dunphy
Modern Family fans might expect Alex to be ranked higher as she's intelligent, funny, and has a great heart. But for much of the sitcom, it's fair to say that Alex's character arc gets hidden behind some more memorable storylines featuring her parents.
Alex's arc is a fascinating coming-of-age story, as she embraces her clever personality and realizes that it's okay to enjoy learning and studying as much as she does. By the time Alex leaves home for a research project in the series finale, fans have been on a long journey with her and are thrilled that she is so happy.
Luke Dunphy
Luke's ranking might be a bit surprising as he's a lovable, sweet and interesting character, but he isn't often mentioned as much as the other main characters. Luke doesn't have as many funny or even dramatic plotlines, but he does serve as a compelling contrast to his siblings Haley and Alex since they are so different from each other.
The most unforgettable part of Luke's time on the show is his bond with his dad Phil, as the two are goofy and love acting younger than they are. It's also sweet seeing Luke apply for college and then finally decide in the series finale that he's ready for this step.
Haley Dunphy
Whether reflecting on Haley's place in her family or Haley and Dylan's Modern Family love story, this character has had a lot to deal with and quickly figures out how to take care of her newborn twins. Haley finds strength within herself and realizes that she loves her babies so much and can definitely handle parenthood.
Haley's life takes her in a direction that she didn't anticipate, which feels realistic. Haley's ranking makes sense as fans appreciate the growth this character goes through but also wanted to see her thrive in a career.
Mitchell Pritchett
Mitch and Cam have a wonderful relationship and it's moving watching them raise their daughter Lily, adopt Rex, and ultimately move away so Cam can accept his dream job of being a coach. The couple has a mix of funny and emotional plotlines. While they feel concerned about helping Lily through big life changes, their scenes are always heartwarming.
Mitch takes things more seriously than Cam does, but after watching the couple for 11 seasons, it becomes clear that they are a great balance for each other. However, Mitch and Cam don't always communicate and they can hurt each other by not being real about what they need.
Cameron Tucker
Fans love Cam's kindness, sense of humor, love of life, and ability to get along with everyone and have fun everywhere that he goes. Cam has such a massive heart and he is always up for a party but also there when people need him, which is a great combination.
Cam is given some compelling storylines about his career and family. It's moving watching him become a coach and give everything that he has to his family. Cam and Mitch want each other to achieve their dreams while thinking about what they want individually, which is important.
Claire Dunphy
Modern Family fans have thoughts about Claire, but for the most part, she's a favorite character who has an important place on the sitcom. Claire's tidiness, love of being in charge, and stubbornness can be tough to like, but at the same time, this is why she's a memorable character.
Ultimately, Claire wants people to be happy, and she's also self-aware and has a true understanding of what she needs, realizing that she loves being busy and working hard and that leaving Pritchett's Closets and Blinds was necessary but she still wants to have a career.
Jay Pritchett
Fans might expect to see Jay further down, as he isn't the most popular character, but he does shift his perspective in later seasons. Jay truly cares for his family and knows that the only thing that matters is being together, which is really moving and also relatable.
Whether Jay and Gloria are hosting a family dinner at their beautiful house or everyone is on vacation together, Jay's plotlines become more meaningful as he stops working and begins thinking about his next chapter.
Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
Whether Gloria is telling stories on Modern Family, bonding with Alex, or trying to get Claire to like her, she's a sweet and funny character who is one of the greatest parents on the show.
Gloria is a beloved character and has a generous spirit and open heart. She's incredibly strong and stands up for herself and her family when necessary, and she just wants Manny and Joe to be happy and at a peace. When Gloria makes mistakes, she understands where she went wrong. While sometimes it can be tough watching Claire treat Gloria badly, the two do bond later on in the show.
Phil Dunphy
Since Phil is the Modern Family character who tells jokes the most and has his own way of speaking sometimes, it makes sense that he would be ranked at the top. Phil is a well-rounded character and viewers get to know every aspect of his life: his real estate job, his marriage to Claire, his beliefs surrounding raising his three kids, and his thoughts about his past and future.
Phil brings so much levity to an already funny show that it's hard not to appreciate his character. Phil does deal with serious subjects, from losing his dad to fighting with Claire, and it's refreshing to see a character handle problems with a smile, optimism, and desire to be better next time.