‘Modern Family’ star Jesse Tyler Ferguson talks career, social issues

Jesse Tyler Ferguson just barely made it to his public talkback at Ball State’s Pruis Hall on Friday night.

The emmy-winning “Modern Family” star was in Muncie to work with Ball State theatre and Dance students. However, Ferguson touched on a variety of subjects from his early life to the role he’s most known for on ABC.

Ferguson grew up in New Mexico, a self-described “indoor kid” he eventually got into theatre. At 16, Ferguson decided to make a break for it and move to New York.

After moving, Ferguson began attending The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and later performed in off-broadway performances before he got his big break.

“A lot about being in this business is about being in the right place at the right time,” Ferguson said.

He joined the cast of tony award-winning musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” which catapulted his public profile.

Ferguson joined the short-lived CBS sitcom “The Class.” After it’s cancellation, Ferguson was cast to play Mitchell Pritchett in “Modern Family.” With the ABC’s sitcom now in its ninth season, Ferguson said he loves the show but his work on stage still has a special place in his heart.

“I will always be more comfortable being on stage,” Ferguson said. “I loved it and still love it.”

Ferguson’s public persona goes beyond his successful stage and television career. A topic Ferguson received multiple questions about talked about often was issues surrounding the LGBTQ community.

LBGTQ issues are an important part of Ferguson’s life. A gay man, Ferguson along with his husband, lawyer Justin Mikita, started a bow tie line named “Tie the Knot.”

The line originally raised money for marriage equality advocacy, but after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015 the money began going to overall LGBTQ advocacy. Mikita even appeared in an episode of “Modern Family,” when the sitcom used actual news footage from the gay marriage supreme court decision, which Mikita worked on.

Ferguson acknowledged the influence his character, Mitchell, has had on children and families in “middle america.” Ferguson said he has heard from fans who were able to reveal their sexual orientation to their families after seeing the show.

“Find your family and find a safety net with your family,” Ferguson said when asked for advice by an audience member. “The world is so much bigger than the little town you’re in.”