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- Modern Family's cast had fluctuating per-episode salaries, but key players like Julie Bowen and Ed O'Neill earned $500,000.
- Younger cast members like Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez saw salary increases as the show progressed, earning up to $125,000 per episode.
- Sofia Vergara and Eric Stonestreet also earned $500,000 per episode, demonstrating the successful salary negotiations of adult cast members.
Modern Family depicted the complexity and humor in family dynamics with its unconventional yet relatable characters.
The sitcom aired for eleven seasons, and highlighted the interwoven lives of three distinct family setups in suburban Los Angeles, all connected through Jay Pritchett, their patriarch.
From its inception, Modern Family was highly acclaimed by critics and continued to receive a blend of reviews over the years.
The final season received positive reviews, culminating in a final episode that attracted a massive 7.37 million first-run viewers.
A combination of widespread critical acclaim and a steadily growing viewership each season made Modern Family the tenth-highest revenue-generating show in 2012, earning $2.13 million an episode.
The cast played a massive role in this success, from industry veterans like Ed O'Neill to breakout stars like Sofia Vergara. The series also helped some of its cast members to stardom or significantly enhanced their celebrity status.
As ABC's longest-running comedy series, Modern Family cast members experienced substantial salary increases throughout the show's tenure.
Let's check out the individual salaries of some key players on the Modern Family cast.
Network TV Casts Of The 2000sSuit Up! Breaking Down The How I Met Your Mother Cast's Salary Per Episode
Wait for it: HIMYM cost $2 million per episode to make, with How I Met Your Mother cast members earning between $225,000 and $400,000.8 Nolan Gould (Luke Dunphy)
Salary Per Episode - $100,000
Nolan Gould is best recognized for his role as the comically naive Luke Dunphy on the acclaimed series Modern Family.
As the youngest son of Claire and Phil Dunphy, Luke's character is the quintessential "goofy, but lovable brother," who frequently partners in antics with his father or his uncle Manny.
His effortless charm and humorous misunderstandings brought a lighthearted balance to the ensemble cast throughout the eleven seasons.
As the show progressed, Gould, like his young co-stars, benefited from significant salary negotiations involving the Modern Family cast.
Initially earning around $15,000 per episode, his salary was increased to $70,000 by season four.
In the latter seasons, particularly seasons nine and ten, his per-episode earnings were boosted to approximately $100,000, eventually reaching $125,000 in the show's final season.
Role | Luke Dunphy |
|---|---|
Salary Per Episode | $100,000 |
Estimated Net Worth | $12 Million |
7 Rico Rodriguez (Manny Delgado-Pritchett)
Salary Per Episode - $125,000
Rico Rodriguez gained fame through his portrayal of Manny Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family.
His character's unique blend of mature sophistication and youthful innocence made him popular among fans of the show.
As the son of Gloria, portrayed by Sofía Vergara, Manny is often depicted as a sensitive and cultured young man whose refined tastes and romantic inclinations often set him apart from his peers.
Joining the cast as a child actor, Rodriguez grew up on-screen, evolving his role over eleven seasons. As Modern Family gained popularity, Rodriguez and his fellow young co-stars secured a significant pay raise.
Starting from a baseline salary, his earnings rose to $70,000 per episode by season four. By the show's final season, his salary had increased to $125,000 per episode.
Off-screen, Rico Rodriguez's success on Modern Family has notably impacted his financial status, boosting his estimated $7 million net worth considerably.
Role | Manny Delgado |
|---|---|
Salary Per Episode | $125,000 |
Estimated Net Worth | $7 Million |
More TV CastsThe Succession Cast, Ranked By Salary Per Episode
HBO's Succession explores power struggles within a wealthy media family. Its cast have earned many awards and a fanbase, leading to salary increases.6 Julie Bowen (Claire Dunphy)
Salary Per Episode - $500,000
Julie Bowen's portrayal of Claire Dunphy, the high-strung and often controlling mother of the Dunphy family, was a masterclass in comedic timing and nuanced delivery.
Claire's desperate attempts to maintain order amid the chaos, her exasperated sighs, and her fierce love for her family appealed to the viewers.
While she was already an established actress before Modern Family, the show catapulted her to new heights of fame.
Julie Bowen's salary as part of the Modern Family cast initially ranged from $30,000 to $65,000 per episode, aligning with the standard compensation for other adult cast members.
However, as her character became increasingly central to its success, Bowen successfully renegotiated her earnings. By the final season, her per-episode salary had surged to $500,000.
Julie Bowen's career, including roles as director and producer, has led to a net worth estimated at $18 million.
Role | Claire Dunphy |
|---|---|
Salary Per Episode | $500,000 |
Estimated Net Worth | $18 Million |
5 Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitchell Pritchett)
Salary Per Episode - $500,000
Jesse Tyler Ferguson played Mitchell Pritchett, a lovable and neurotic lawyer and one-half of the beloved "Cam and Mitch" couple.
Mitchell's anxieties and awkward attempts to connect with his daughter and his loving, if often chaotic, relationship with Cam added humor and heart to the show.
Ferguson's skillful portrayal of Mitchell made him one of the show's breakout stars. In the first four seasons, Ferguson was reportedly earning between $55,000 to $65,000 per episode.
Over the seasons, his salary increased progressively, moving to between $150,000 and $175,000 per episode, as detailed by The Hollywood Reporter.
By 2018, through successful negotiations for pay equity among the leading adult cast, his per-episode pay was elevated to $500,000.
Thanks to his time on Modern Family, Ferguson has scored an estimated net worth of $26 million.
Role | Mitchell Pritchett |
|---|---|
Salary Per Episode | $500,000 |
Estimated Net Worth | $20 Million |
More Throwback CastsHow Much Did The Cast Of The Vampire Diaries Make Per Episode?
The Vampire Diaries remains among The CW's biggest hits, and it launched actors like Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder to superstardom.4 Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy)
Salary Per Episode - $500,000
Ty Burrell was the heart and soul of Modern Family as Phil Dunphy, the eternally optimistic and goofball dad with a heart of gold.
Phil's enthusiasm, hilarious attempts at being cool, and genuine love for his family made him an instant fan favorite. Burrell skillfully channeled Phil's childlike energy and knack for finding joy and chaos in the everyday.
His comedic timing was impeccable, and for eleven seasons, Burrell delivered laugh-out-loud moments with remarkable consistency.
Burrell was earning around $350,000 per episode in the series' middle seasons; as reported by Variety, his salary was boosted to $500,000 per episode by the final season.
This pay raise came as part of a negotiation for parity among the main adult cast members, ensuring that Burrell and co-stars such as Julie Bowen received equitable compensation for their contributions.
Ty Burrell currently has an estimated net worth of $26 million.
Role | Phil Dunphy |
|---|---|
Salary Per Episode | $500,000 |
Estimated Net Worth | $26 Million |
3 Eric Stonestreet (Cameron Tucker)
Salary Per Episode - $500,000
Eric Stonestreet's role as Cameron Tucker on Modern Family demonstrated his exceptional comedic talent, making him one of the standout performers in the series.
Cam's over-the-top personality, passion for all things theatrical, and fierce love for his family made him an unforgettable character. Stonestreet brought both jocular flair and unexpected depth to the role.
Starting with a modest $20,000 per episode in the early seasons, Stonestreet's pay increased to $65,000 by season three, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
By the series' conclusion, his compensation had surged to $500,000 per episode.
Stonestreet's success as a member of the Modern Family cast, combined with his continuous work in film and television, has earned him an estimated net worth of $23 million.
Role | Cameron Tucker |
|---|---|
Salary Per Episode | $500,000 |
Estimated Net Worth | $23 Million |
Cable Cast SalariesThe Mad Men Cast, Ranked By Salary Per Episode
It redefined television with its stylish portrayal of 1960s advertising and complex characters, and the Mad Men cast were well compensated.2 Ed O’Neill (Jay Pritchett)
Salary Per Episode - $500,000
Ed O'Neill brought his signature brand of gruff humor to life as Jay Pritchett, the patriarch of the blended Pritchett-Dunphy clan.
Jay's traditional views, exasperation with his eccentric family, and underlying affection make him hilarious and relatable.
O'Neill, already a television icon from his time on Married ... With Children, was the highest-paid actor on the show. O'Neill's initial salary was $105,000 per episode.
However, in a show of solidarity, Ed O'Neill joined his fellow castmates in comprehensive contract negotiations that included a lawsuit against 20th Century Fox involving all the adult cast members.
Following these negotiations, his salary was adjusted to $500,000 per episode, matching that of his co-stars.
Additionally, it has been reported that O'Neill secured a significant share in profit sharing and residual payouts from the series' outset, although specific details of these financial arrangements remain undisclosed.
Ed O'Neill has an estimated net worth of $65 million.
Role | Jay Pritchett |
|---|---|
Salary Per Episode | $500,000 |
Estimated Net Worth | $45 Million |
1 Sofía Vergara (Gloria Delgado-Pritchett)
Salary Per Episode - $500,000
Sofía Vergara exploded onto the scene as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, the fiery, beautiful, and fiercely devoted wife of Jay Pritchett.
Vergara's comedic precision, sizzling on-screen chemistry with Ed O'Neill (as her husband Jay), and ability to deliver even the most outrageous lines with panache were integral to the show's success.
At the height of Modern Family's popularity, Sofia Vergara was one of the highest-paid television actors, and a standout element of the series.
According to Variety, her earnings began at $30,000 to $65,000 per episode — and escalated to $500,000 by the series' conclusion.
Consequently, for the 18 episodes in season eleven, Vergara's compensation likely totaled around $9 million.
For seasons seven, eight, nine, and ten, with 22 episodes each, her earnings reached $11 million per season.
Sofia Vergara has an estimated net worth of $180 million.
Role | Gloria Delgado-Pritchett |
|---|---|
Salary Per Episode | $500,000 |
Estimated Net Worth | $180 Million |
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