Sofía Vergara, 53, Proves She Hasn’t Aged a Day Since Her “Modern Family” Debut Almost 2 Decades Ago
Before landing the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Vergara was already working in entertainment. She had started young, first appearing in a Pepsi commercial in Latin America at 17 after being discovered on a beach in Colombia. She studied acting and built a steady career in television and film. But she was not yet a household name in the United States.
Modern Family gave her that breakthrough.
The ABC sitcom became one of the most popular comedy shows on American television. As Gloria, Vergara played a bold, funny, and confident Colombian mother married into an American family. The role made her stand out. Viewers loved her timing and strong personality on screen. Very quickly, she became one of the show’s most talked-about stars.
The awards attention followed. From 2010 to 2013, she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Even though she did not win, the repeated nominations raised her profile in the industry. She was no longer just a supporting player. She was a major television figure.
Sofia Vergara at 53-years-old 📸 pic.twitter.com/ifxnLWephb
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The show also changed her financial status. At the height of the series, Vergara became the highest-paid woman on U.S. television. In 2012, she earned $19 million in one year, according to Forbes. By 2015, her annual earnings were estimated at $28.5 million. Her salary from Modern Family, combined with endorsement deals, pushed her into a new level of wealth and influence.
Because of the show’s success, brands wanted to work with her. She signed deals with companies such as CoverGirl and Head & Shoulders. She launched clothing lines, a furniture collection, fragrances, and later her own beauty brand, Toty. Retail partnerships with Walmart and Rooms To Go expanded her reach even further. Modern Family gave her visibility with mainstream American audiences, which made these business moves possible.
The show also affected her film career. At one point, she had to drop out of a planned movie because filming conflicted with her sitcom schedule. That decision shows how important the series was to her career at the time. It was the priority.
After Modern Family ended in 2020, Vergara did not slow down. She joined America’s Got Talent as a judge and stayed for several seasons. In 2024, she earned a major Emmy nomination for her dramatic role in Griselda. That nomination marked a big shift. She moved from comedy into serious drama and proved she could handle complex roles.
Modern Family built the base for all of it. It gave her fame, money, awards recognition, and business power. It also made her one of the most visible Latina actresses in Hollywood.
Modern Family was the turning point that transformed Sofía Vergara from a working actress into a global brand. Without that show, her career might have stayed steady but smaller. What do you think? Did Modern Family define her career, or has she moved beyond it? Share your thoughts in the comments.
