Jesse Tyler Ferguson is a Tony Award–winning American actor best known as Mitchell Pritchett on Modern Family and for his dynamic Broadway and advocacy work, celebrated for flair, honesty, and stagecraft.
Early Life & Education
Jesse Tyler Ferguson was born on October 22, 1975, in Missoula, Montana, to Anne and Bob Ferguson. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he discovered acting at age eight by joining the Albuquerque Children’s Theater for six years.
In high school, he appeared in productions like Bye Bye Birdie and Li’l Abner, was active in speech and debate, and even worked at Cliff’s Amusement Park.
He graduated in 1994 and trained professionally at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Career
Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s career artfully blends Broadway triumphs, beloved television, and meaningful advocacy. He made his Broadway debut as Chip in On the Town (1998) and originated the role of Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, earning early critical praise.
He also appeared in classic productions at Shakespeare in the Park, such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2007), The Winter’s Tale (2010), and The Tempest (2015).
In 2022, he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for Take Me Out, adding to his Broadway accolades, including Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson rose to household name level portraying Mitchell Pritchett—an openly gay lawyer—in the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020).
The role earned him five consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and the ensemble won multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards. Before that, he appeared in The Class and had guest spots in series like Ugly Betty and Untraceable.
Off-camera, he’s been a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance, co-hosted Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, voiced in the A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo audiobook, and appeared in Taylor Swift‘s “You Need to Calm Down” music video in 2019.
Outside acting, Ferguson is known for his activism. He co-founded the nonprofit Tie The Knot, selling bow ties to fund marriage equality. He received the Human Rights Campaign Media Award in 2011 for advancing LGBTQ visibility through his work.
Personal Life
Jesse Tyler Ferguson became engaged to lawyer Justin Mikita in 2012 and married in Manhattan in July 2013, in a ceremony officiated by playwright Tony Kushner.
The couple has two sons, Beckett Mercer (born July 7, 2020) and Sullivan Louis (born November 15, 2022), both born via surrogacy.
Jesse and Justin celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary in July 2024, marking a decade of partnership and parenthood. Ferguson has also candidly reflected on the responsibility of portraying LGBTQ characters authentically and promoting representation.
Net Worth (50–80 words)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s estimated net worth is approximately $22 million, reflecting his success in Modern Family, Broadway earnings, and entrepreneurial ventures like Tie The Knot.
