The actor opens up about balancing authenticity, responsibility, and personal growth while portraying Mitchell Pritchett for over a decade.
Los Angeles [US], August 25: For more than a decade, actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson brought heart and humor to living rooms across the globe as Mitchell Pritchett in the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family. But behind the laughter, Ferguson carried a deep sense of responsibility to the LGBTQ community—a responsibility he admits often weighed heavily on him.
Speaking on his podcast Dinner’s On Me, Ferguson revealed that he felt the need to “get it right” when it came to portraying one of television’s most beloved gay characters. “I was in the trenches fighting for marriage equality, and I felt so lucky to be part of a pop culture touchstone that was also part of that same issue,” he recalled.
At the same time, Ferguson admitted that the pressure to represent the LGBTQ community perfectly sometimes left him conflicted. “I felt a responsibility… to do it with care and precision. But it was tricky, because I also wanted to bring nuance, flaws, and layers. I just felt like there was no way to please both camps.”
The Emmy-nominated actor reflected on how, in the early seasons, his character Mitchell—along with partner Cameron (played by Eric Stonestreet)—was often placed under a microscope. “At least in the first few seasons, we were put on a pedestal. This was the gay couple on a massive network sitcom. The feeling was: they better get this right.”
Now, 15 years after first stepping into Mitchell’s shoes, Ferguson says he has finally learned to let go of that burden. “I’m in a place now where I’m drawn to the messiness of a character. Their flaws, their complications—that’s what makes them interesting. No one wants to watch perfect people.”
Ferguson’s candid reflections remind fans of the cultural importance Modern Family held. Beyond being a family comedy, the series broke new ground in representation, following three interconnected families, including Mitchell and Cameron, as they raised their adopted daughter Lily (played by Aubrey Anderson-Emmons).
For Ferguson, the role of Mitchell wasn’t just career-defining—it was history-making. And while he no longer feels the weight of having to be “perfect,” his portrayal remains one of television’s most impactful depictions of a same-sex couple, inspiring countless viewers worldwide.