Side-By-Side Pics Of The Leading Ladies Of Modern Family From Season 1 To Now

ABC's "Modern Family" first aired in 2009, and the sitcom swiftly grew in popularity. When the show concluded with its 11th season in 2020, the finale garnered more than 7 million viewers. What made the mockumentary so special was not only its binge-worthy family storylines, but also its incredible cast of female characters. Not only do the women of "Modern Family" look so different with their natural hair colors, but they have completely transformed — in more ways than one — since leaving the set. Some of the show's leading ladies have evolved into Hollywood celebrities, remembered for their stint on the series. Others, however, have taken a step back from acting on-screen altogether.

Julie Bowen watched her career go from strength to strength after taking on the main role of Claire Dunphy. Ariel Winter, who played Alex Dunphy, has since traded her life in the spotlight for a quieter one instead. Sarah Hyland, who portrayed the oldest Dunphy daughter Haley, has taken her career to the Broadway stage. Sofía Vergara, who appeared as Gloria Pritchett, soared to fame after leaving the show and has become a well-known Hollywood A-lister. She has received five Emmy nominations and has been cast in major roles in Netflix productions. Here are some side-by-side photos of "Modern Family's" leading ladies around the show's debut in 2009, and what they look like today.

Julie Bowen stepped up to play the control freak mother Claire Dunphy in Season 1, and by Season 5, the role had already earned her two Emmy awards. Despite only being family on-screen, Bowen truly felt bonded to her castmates. In 2024, she told E! News that she particularly loved filming alongside her co-star Sofía Vergara. "We get along like a house on fire," she said. Bowen has barely changed appearance-wise after saying goodbye to the series, and has also maintained a steady acting career. The actor has since been cast in Peacock's "Hysteria!" and reprised her role as Virginia in "Happy Gilmore 2."

Sarah Hyland is still remembered for her portrayal of Haley Dunphy, a role she took on as an 18-year-old in 2009. Despite appearing in an array of films throughout her stint on "Modern Family," the actor emerged into the world of reality TV when the sitcom concluded, hosting "Love Island" in 2022 and 2023. While she started her Broadway career at 16 years old in 2006's "Grey Gardens," she returned in 2025 as Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby" and as Connie Francis in "Just in Time." And now, at 35 years old, Hyland still looks stunning and youthful.

The stunning transformation of "Modern Family" star Ariel Winter has been incredible to watch. Winter started playing the extremely sarcastic Alex Dunphy when she was 11. Winter must have inherited her character's emotional intelligence, considering she made the sensible decision to establish a private life after the show. Winter has maintained a pretty low-key lifestyle — except when she does her occasional voice acting gigs. Not only has she altered her career path, but her appearance, too. Long gone are the days of Alex Dunphy's brunette comb over and rectangular glasses, as Winter is now sporting blonde highlights to complement her newly private life after leaving Los Angeles.

Sofía Vergara's stint as Gloria on "Modern Family" ultimately helped propel her to wider fame. She was favored for her frank statements and hysterical scenes. According to Forbes, she was the world's top-paid television actress for seven consecutive years. At the end of this reign, Vergara shifted focus from acting and joined "America's Got Talent" as a judge in 2020 (where she sported some risqué looks). She was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe in 2024 and 2025, respectively, for her starring role as Griselda Blanco in Netflix's "Griselda."