Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Early life

Jesse Tyler Ferguson was born in Missoula, Montana, He was named after his paternal grandmother, Jessie Uppercue Ferguson, to whom he was very close growing up. He was also named after his paternal great-grandfather, Jesse. He has a brother, Benjamin Ferguson, and a sister, Kelly Ferguson.

His family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was raised. At age eight, Ferguson decided to become an actor, and joined the Albuquerque Children's Theater, where he was a member for six years. While attending St. Pius X High School, Ferguson acted in the plays Bye Bye Birdie and Li'l Abner. He participated on the speech and debate team and graduated in 1994. He worked as a dancer/singer at Cliff's Amusement Park.

Career

Theater

In New York City, Ferguson worked mainly in Off-Broadway and Broadway theatre, including the Tony Award-winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, where he originated the role of Leaf Coneybear. Ferguson starred in the Public Theater's 2007 Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and 2015 production of The Tempest. In the summer of 2015, he played Sir Robin in the Hollywood Bowl production of Monty Python's Spamalot.

In March 2012, Ferguson was featured as Dr. Ilan Meyer in a performance of Dustin Lance Black's play 8, a staged reenactment of Perry v. Brown, the federal trial that overturned California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. The production was held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre and broadcast on YouTube to raise money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights, a non-profit organization funding the plaintiffs' legal team and sponsoring the play. He appeared in the 2022 Broadway revival of Take Me Out, for which he won a Tony Award.

Television and film

On television, Ferguson was among the large ensemble cast on the short-lived CBS sitcom The Class, playing Richie Velch. Ferguson also played a role in the 2008 thriller Untraceable.

From 2009 to 2020, he played the role of Mitchell Pritchett, the openly gay lawyer on the ABC sitcom Modern Family. For his performance, Ferguson received five consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He also appeared as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance and opposed actress Chrissy Metz in a 2017 episode of TBS's Drop the Mic. In 2020, he co-hosted HGTV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition replacing Ty Pennington.

Other works

In 2018, Ferguson was one of the actors who voiced the audiobook A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo.

In 2019, Ferguson appeared in Taylor Swift's music video for "You Need to Calm Down".

Philanthropy

In September 2012, Ferguson and his lawyer husband, Justin Mikita, started the non-profit charity Tie The Knot, an effort to raise funds in support of same-sex marriage, using bow ties sold to retail. They officially launched it as their engagement announcement in an online video where they explain only seven states at the time had same-sex marriage. In an interview Ferguson stated that he wanted to do something that was smaller and manageable in case it did not work out as a business model.

The foundation sells limited-edition bow ties to support organizations that advocate for same-sex marriage. Their collections are designed by the couple plus guest designers, and is sold by The Tie Bar, a Naperville, Illinois-based online men's neckwear company.

In January 2013, the couple were recruited by Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Sheila Simon to lobby legislators to pass SB10 which would allow same-sex marriage. and Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill into law, going into effect on June 1, 2014.

In October 2013, the American Civil Liberties Union named Ferguson the celebrity ambassador for the LGBT community. He participated heavily in the ACLU's "Out for Freedom" campaign They noted that Ferguson travelled to New Mexico, his home state, to take part in same sex marriage efforts. Before the state's full legalization of same-sex marriage on December 19, 2013, New Mexico did not explicitly permit or prohibit same-sex marriage; it was the only state lacking a statute or constitutional provision explicitly addressing same-sex marriage. The couple's non-profit made a grant of US$10,000 to the ACLU of New Mexico for same sex efforts.

In November 2013, a pop-up retail store for 'Tie The Knot' was located at the Los Angeles Beverly Center featuring the fourth collection from the couple, including professional athlete designs with Scott Fujita and Chris Kluwe, and Brittney Griner.

Personal life

Ferguson uses his full name, as there was already an actor called Jesse Ferguson in the actors' union when he joined.

In September 2012, he announced his engagement to lawyer Justin Mikita, his boyfriend of nearly two years. They married in Manhattan on July 20, 2013, with the playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner officiating at their wedding. their first son was born on July 7, 2020 and their second son was born on November 15, 2022.

On the process of coming out, he said he had to tell his father three times (when he was 17, 19 and 21): "It's a coming out process for them as well, and it takes time".

He has a dog named Leaf, named after Leaf Coneybear, a character he created in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Broadway.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. Rose, Mike. (October 22, 2023). "Famous birthdays list for October 22, 2023 includes celebrities Shaggy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson".
2. "Jesse Tyler Ferguson". [[TV Guide]].
3. NZ, Bang Showbiz. (November 30, 2024). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson spent Thanksgiving in hospital with son".
4. "Robert B Ferguson". [[FamilySearch]].
5. "Anne Ferguson Obituary (1948 - 2024) - Albuquerque, NM - Albuquerque Journal".
6. (August 1, 2014). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson follows the trouble-filled story of his great-grandfather's life—and draws conclusions about his ultimate legacy". [[Ancestry.com]].
7. (July 30, 2014). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Discovers a Dark Crime While Tracing His Family Tree".
8. "Modern Family Biography: Mitchell Played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson". [[ABC Television Network.
9. (September 19–25, 2013). "Wedding Bells for Jesse Tyler Ferguson".
10. (May 21, 2013). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Slams His Former Catholic School for Forcing Trans Teen to Wear Women's Graduation Garb".
11. "AMDA - AMDA News - 'Modern Family' Star Jesse Tyler Ferguson Returns to Broadway in Fully Committed".
12. Stated on ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]],'' 2011
13. (March 5, 2012). "'Glee' Stars 'Touched' By Pitt & Clooney's Support of '8'". [[Access Hollywood]].
14. (March 3, 2012). "'8': A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality".
15. (March 1, 2012). "YouTube to broadcast Proposition 8 play live". [[Pink News]].
16. Perkins, Dennis. (March 19, 2018). "John Oliver hijacks homophobe Mike Pence's bunny book with a better one in A Day In The Life Of Marlon Bundo". AV Club.
17. TaylorSwiftVEVO. (June 17, 2019). "Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down".
18. "Home".
19. (November 6, 2013). "Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson Buys Gwen Stefani's Home for $4.55 Million". Realty Today.
20. (November 5, 2013). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Buys Gwen Stefani's Former Home".
21. (April 29, 2013). "'Modern Family' Star Jesse Tyler Ferguson Marries!". [[Entertainment Tonight]].
22. Interview with Ferguson by David Letterman, ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]],'' CBS, November 20, 2013.
23. (November 5, 2013). "Gay marriage bill voted through Illinois House".
24. (November 5, 2013). "Lawmakers approve gay marriage in Illinois". [[Chicago Tribune]].
25. McKinney, Dave. (November 5, 2013). "Gay marriage bill passes in Illinois house, senate – on to governors desk". [[Chicago Sun-Times]].
26. (November 20, 2013). "Quinn signs Illinois gay marriage bill". [[Chicago Tribune]].
27. Geiger, Kim. (November 5, 2013). "Q&A on same-sex marriage". [[Chicago Tribune]].
28. "ACLU Ambassadors – Jesse Tyler Ferguson". aclu.olrg (American Civil Liberties Union).
29. (October 29, 2013). "ACLU Names Celebrity Ambassadors for Key Civil Liberties Issues". [[American Civil Liberties Union]].
30. Ehrman-Dupre, Joseph. (October 29, 2013). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Named Celebrity Ambassador For Marriage Equality By ACLU: VIDEO". [[Towleroad]].
31. (February 12, 2013). "How New Mexico Legalized Gay Marriage – For 8 Hours". [[Pew Charitable Trust]].
32. Matthew Breen. "Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson releases bow tie collection". Pursuitist.
33. Tschorn, Adam. (November 18, 2013). "Tie the Knot pops up at the Beverly Center through Jan. 10". Los Angeles Times.
34. (July 26, 2014). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson 25 Things You Don't Know About Me".
35. Chi, Paul. (September 19, 2012). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Is Engaged to Justin Mikita". [[People (magazine).
36. Rizzo, Monica. (July 21, 2013). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Marries Justin Mikita". [[People (magazine).
37. Andaloro, Angela. (2 April 2023). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Opens Up About Surrogate Who Carried Both Sons: 'So Grateful' (Exclusive)".
38. (July 9, 2020). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Is a Dad! Actor Welcomes First Child, Beckett Mercer, with Justin Mikita".
39. (November 15, 2022). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita Welcome Their Second Baby Boy – See His Adorable First Pics!".
40. (October 27, 2013). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Dan Bucatinsky and Wanda Sykes Reflect on Coming Out".
41. (June 19, 2019). "Modern Family's Jessie Tyler Ferguson Will Host Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Reboot on HGTV".
42. Chubb, Hannah. (June 3, 2021). "Martha Stewart Gets 'Down and Dirty' in New Show with A-List Celeb Friends". [[People (magazine).
43. "On the Town (Broadway, 1998)".
44. "Encores!' Hair May Be Let Down on Broadway".
45. Isherwood, Charles. (February 14, 2003). "Little Fish".
46. "Christopher Shinn's Where Do We Live Opens at Off-Broadway's Vineyard, May 11".
47. "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Broadway, 2005)".
48. "On the Twentieth Century (Broadway, 2005)".
49. "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM 2007".
50. "The Winter's Tale, With Emond, Santiago-Hudson, Ferguson, Linlkater and Martin, Begins June 9".
51. "The Merchant of Venice, With Pacino, Rabe, Lind and Jennings, Begins".
52. Marzullo, Joseph. (29 July 2012). "The Producers at the Hollywood Bowl, With Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rebecca Romijn, Dane Cook and More".
53. "Shakespeare in the Park's Comedy of Errors, With Hamish Linklater and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Concludes June 30".
54. "See Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Idle, Christian Slater and Craig Robinson Search for the Grail in Starry Spamalot!".
55. "Sam Waterston and Jesse Tyler Ferguson Rehearse The Tempest For Shakespeare in the Park".
56. "Fully Committed (Broadway, 2016)".
57. "First Look at Log Cabin, Starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Off-Broadway".
58. "Take Me Out (Broadway, 2022)".
59. "Take Me Out (Broadway, 2023)".
60. (December 18, 2023). "Which surprise celebrities have shown up at Broadway's 'Gutenberg'?".
61. [https://playbill.com/article/jane-krakowski-jesse-tyler-ferguson-martha-plimpton-more-will-star-in-sondheims-here-we-are-in-london Jane Krakowski, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Martha Plimpton, More Will Star in Sondheim's Here We Are in London]
62. (2025-10-07). "Twelfth Night Starring Lupita Nyong'o, Peter Dinklage, and Sandra Oh Will Air on Great Performances - TheaterMania.com".
63. McDermott, Maeve. (July 27, 2016). "The Best Celebrity Moments of the Democratic Convention Night 2".
64. Weidenfeld, Lisa. (November 4, 2016). "Elizabeth Banks Is in a Very NSFW Get Out the Vote Video". [[Boston (magazine).
65. "Nominees / Winners 2010 Emmy Awards".
66. "Nominees / Winners 2011 Emmy Awards".
67. "Nominees / Winners 2012 Emmy Awards".
68. "Nominees / Winners 2013 Emmy Awards".
69. "Nominees / Winners 2014 Emmy Awards".
70. "16th Screen Actors Guild Awards".
71. "17th Screen Actors Guild Awards".
72. "18th Screen Actors Guild Awards".
73. "19th Screen Actors Guild Awards".
74. "20th Screen Actors Guild Awards".
75. "21st Screen Actors Guild Awards".
76. "22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards".
77. "2022 Tony Award Nominations".