Sofía Vergara Celebrates “Modern Family” Costar and ‘Favorite Husband’ Ed O’Neill’s 80th Birthday

Sofía Vergara has paid tribute to her former co-star Ed O’Neill, celebrating his milestone 80th birthday with a touching message on social media. The pair, who portrayed the beloved couple Gloria and Jay Pritchett on the hit series *Modern Family*, from 2009 to 2020, remain close friends long after their characters’ storylines have concluded.

In an Instagram post shared on Sunday, Vergara, 53, posted a nostalgic photograph of herself with O’Neill, with the two looking cheerful and embracing each other. The caption read, “Feliz cumpleaños to my favorite husband!❤️ I miss u Ed O’neil!!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳.” Despite O’Neill’s absence from the world of social media, fans and followers flocked to the comments to express their admiration for the on-screen pair and the fond memories they evoke.

One commenter, model Natasha Ryder, reminisced about their portrayal of parents, stating, “my favorite parents😭♥️,” while a collective voice from Facebook described them as “the duo that raised us.” These remarks serve as a testament to the impact Vergara and O’Neill had on audiences during their show’s run.

Vergara has frequently spoken about her enduring friendship with O’Neill, often expressing her hopes for a possible reunion of the *Modern Family* cast in the future. Earlier this year, she revealed a running joke between her and O’Neill about their potential return to the characters they made famous. “I always joke with him, ‘Ed, don’t die. Because if we do the sequel, it will take some time, and you’re the oldest of us. You can’t be dead!’” she shared in an interview with *Variety*.

The actress has even suggested the possibility of a television movie featuring the cast for fans to enjoy once more. Vergara mentioned that she felt “excited” at the thought, stating, “I’d die to be on that set; it would be so much fun.” Such sentiments highlight the strong bond and camaraderie that developed among the cast throughout their years together.

In December 2023, Vergara organised a reunion for the *Modern Family* cast, marking their first gathering since the series finale in 2020. The event brought together O’Neill, along with co-stars such as Julie Bowen, Sarah Hyland, Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ariel Winter, Rico Rodriguez, Nolan Gould, and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, along with showrunners Chris Lloyd and Steve Levitan. Vergara described the event as “very special,” noting, “It was the first time we had all seen each other in almost four years.”

According to Vergara, their reunion was an emotional reminder of their time spent together, saying, “It felt like we just left the set in 2020.” The cast’s ongoing connection demonstrates the lasting friendships formed during their years of filming.

Fans of *Modern Family* have enjoyed continued interactions among the cast since the series concluded. In a recent chat with *PEOPLE*, Ferguson discussed the possibility of collaborating on a Broadway production with his fellow co-stars. While he mentioned that various ideas had been pitched, he noted, “It just never has felt right,” although he expressed enthusiasm for performing alongside Sarah Hyland.

Ferguson acknowledged the talents of his co-stars, stating, “I would love to be with her on stage too.” He added that any opportunity to work with the cast again would be welcomed, reiterating the close-knit relationships that have developed over the years.

*Modern Family*, which has left an indelible mark on its audience, is available for streaming on platforms such as Peacock and Hulu. As fans await news of any potential cast reunions, the love and friendship between Vergara and O’Neill continue to shine both on and off-screen.