Award-Winning Actor & LGBTQ+ Advocate
Jesse Tyler Ferguson: Biography at a Glance
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson is best known for starring as "Mitchell Pritchett" on ABC’s five-time Emmy Award-winning, smash-hit comedy series, Modern Family.
- In addition to winning four SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series alongside his cast, Ferguson received five Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and four People’s Choice Award nominations for "Favorite Comedic TV Actor" for his work throughout Modern Family’s 10 seasons.
- Ferguson also starred alongside Jesse Williams in the Tony-winning Broadway show, Take Me Out, which follows a star baseball player who comes out as gay.
- In addition to his acting, Ferguson is the host of HGTV’s ten-episode remodel of the popular home-improvement series, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, in which families and communities in need of help are given a massive reworking of their homes.
- In his podcast, he can be heard breaking bread with big-name friends—old and new—to have vulnerable conversations about everything from relationships and family history to mental health and imposter syndrome.
Biography
Jesse is best known for starring as Mitchell Pritchett on ABC’s five-time Emmy Award-winning, smash-hit comedy series, Modern Family. In addition to winning four SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series alongside his cast, Jesse received five Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and four People’s Choice Award nominations for "Favorite Comedic TV Actor" for his work throughout Modern Family’s 10 seasons. In addition to his acting, Jesse is the host of HGTV’s ten-episode remodel of the popular home-improvement series, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," in which families and communities in need of help are given a massive reworking of their homes.
In 2016, Jesse made his most recent Broadway run as 40 outrageous characters in the hit one-man show, FULLY COMMITTED, for which he received a Drama Desk Award for "Outstanding Solo Performance" as well as a Drama League Nomination for "Distinguished Performance.” Jesse’s illustrious theatre career began at the age of 21 as “Chip” in George C. Wolfe’s revival of ON THE TOWN. He later went on to originate the role of "Leaf Coneybear" in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Drama Desk Award, “Outstanding Ensemble Performance,” “Distinguished Performance” nominee, Drama League Awards).
Jesse’s extensive work with The New York Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park includes THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, THE TEMPEST, THE WINTER’S TALE, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (“Distinguished Performance” nominee, Drama League Awards) and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (“Distinguished Performance” nominee, Drama League Awards). Other theatre credits include world premieres of Jordan Harrison’s LOG CABIN, Christopher Shinn's WHERE DO WE LIVE, and Michael John LaChiusa's LITTLE FISH, as well as “Sir Robin” in SPAMALOT and “Leo Bloom” in THE PRODUCERS, both at The Hollywood Bowl.
A longstanding advocate for marriage equality, Jesse co-founded Tie The Knot in 2012 with his husband, where they design limited-edition bow ties with all the proceeds going to various organizations that fight for LGBTQ equality around the world.
Jesse also recently published the cookbook Food Between Friends, which he co-authored with best friend and recipe developer Julie Tanous, featuring their favorite So-Cal cuisine with Southern and Southwestern influences, and based on their highly successful food blog, julieandjessecook.com.
Topics
In the Spotlight: LGBTQ+ Representation and Activism in Entertainment
In this conversation, Jesse Tyler Ferguson shares his journey as a queer actor and advocate. Known for his role on Modern Family and the Broadway production of Take Me Out, Jesse explores the impact of queer representation in media and his commitment to LGBTQ+ activism. Through personal stories and insights, he reflects on the power of visibility and the importance of authentic storytelling in shaping societal change. Jesse inspires audiences to embrace their identity, amplify marginalized voices, and continue the fight for equality.
Flipping the Script: Breaking Boundaries with Humor and Heart
Award-winning actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson shares his unique approach to innovation and creativity, blending his experiences from both the entertainment world and his passion for advocacy. Drawing on personal stories from his time on Broadway, television, and behind the scenes, Ferguson offers a fresh perspective on how embracing diversity of thought, challenging conventions, and finding humor in unexpected places can lead to powerful creative breakthroughs.
Whether you're an aspiring artist, entrepreneur, or a corporation seeking to unlock new ideas, Jesse offers practical insights into collaboration, adaptability, and thinking beyond the traditional boundaries. With wit, charm, and heartfelt wisdom, Ferguson encourages audiences to celebrate individuality, take risks, and redefine what it means to be innovative in today’s rapidly changing world.
