Top 15 Best ‘Modern Family’ Characters, Ranked

15. Frank Dunphy

With his wide-eyed innocence and whimsical view of the world, Frank Dunphy was like a prototype of his son Phil on ‘Modern Family.’ Although, he had even fewer boundaries whenever he appeared on the scene. One of Frank’s most memorable lines came during a heartfelt visit to the Dunphys, when he said: “You can’t put a price on family… unless you’re talking about weddings, am I right?” It was classic Frank — heartwarming and hilarious in equal measure. The man certainly made a lasting impression with his perfect timing and sweet-natured absurdity. Frank’s legacy is about embodying the show’s entire ethos: be goofy, love big, and never take life too seriously.

14. Joe Pritchett

It’s easy to forget that Joe Pritchett wasn’t in ‘Modern Family’ from the beginning, since he came onto his own as the tiny yet loveable troublemaker eventually. After all, as Gloria and Jay’s youngest son, Joe grew up in a household where chaos was a daily occurrence. From lifting petty objects in plain sight (Joe’s philosophy: “I don’t steal. I borrow... forever”) to slyly manipulating his parents, Joe became one of the sharpest and strangest kids on TV. His adorable expressions and distinctive little voice became a recipe for mini-comedy gold. Sure, Joe wasn’t a fully realised character in the series, but he delivered when it came to offbeat, unpredictable humor.

13. Andy Bailey

Andy Bailey might not have been a series regular, but his impact is undeniable. He joined the show as Jay and Gloria’s overly enthusiastic male nanny—“Manny”, and struck up a romance with Haley. His charm was rare blend of slapstick goofiness and genuine emotional depth. Andy was like a bizarro-world version of Phil Dunphy: equally enthusiastic and awkward, but somehow more self-aware, or at least trying to be. Whether he was sprinting across an airport to tell Haley how he felt or delivering painfully detailed to-do lists for Joe, Andy’s high-octane energy and good intentions made him incredibly endearing. His classic line, “I’m not intense, I’m efficiently passionate,” sums him up perfectly.

12. Manny Delgado

Manny Delgado is the kind of kid who shows up to a sleepover with a silk robe and a poetry anthology. From the very first episode, his overly romantic, philosophical persona stood in stark contrast to others. Which child laments the fleeting nature of youth? Whether it’s his obsession with espresso, his fear of driving, or his constant pursuit of “the one,” Manny is a walking contradiction: an old man trapped in a child’s body, carving his path beside a family that just doesn’t understand his genius. We get it, sometimes his seriousness was insufferable, but even then, he was eccentric and unforgettable.

11. Dylan Marshall

Dylan Marshall, the floppy-haired, guitar-strumming avatar of “sweet but simple,” was a character that shouldn’t have worked, but somehow became indispensable. Dylan started off as Haley’s dopey boyfriend, but over time, his unwavering earnestness and unintentional hilarity made him a fan favorite. He’s like a human golden retriever—cute, loyal, and absolutely baffled by the world around him. Who could forget his original ballad “In the Moonlight (Do Me)”—a ridiculous yet oddly catchy love song? It was typical Dylan. But beyond his innocent cluelessness was his gift as a caring partner and father. Such a welcome surprise!

10. Jay Pritchett

Make way for the grumpy grandpa who became the most evolved character of ‘Modern Family.’ Jay Pritchett may have started off as your stereotypical, tough, no-nonsense patriarch who just wanted things his way, but over time, he became the best emotionally resonant figures. Sure, he was insensitive at times and delivered gruff takes, but this old-school dad overcome his discomfort with the changing word. Jay showed surprising tenderness and growth, all accompanied by great comedy. One of his best moments came when he finally accepted Cam and Mitch’s marriage, giving a speech that was classic Jay: awkward, slightly offensive, but ultimately heartfelt: “I don't get all the stuff you do, but I get why you love each other.”

9. Haley Dunphy

At first glance, Haley Dunphy is your classic sitcom airhead—obsessed with boys, makeup, and social media. But as the show progressed, so did Haley. She might’ve worn the crown of the resident “hot daughter” till the end, but her vanity was layered. What we found underneath was fun, charm and resilience. Haley’s best comedic moments often came from her brutal honesty. When Claire once suggested she’d get into college through a cheerleading scholarship, Haley shot back: “I don’t even like kids. Why would I want to cheer for them?” But behind the sarcasm, she had depth. From navigating heartbreak with Dylan, to finding her voice in the fashion world, Haley showed that intelligence comes in many forms.

8. Claire Dunphy

Claire Dunphy is the hyper-organized glue of the Dunphy family, trying to keep her chaotic family from descending into madness. Claire’s real comedy lies in her spiraling internal monologues and escalating overreactions. She might not have Phil’s zaniness, but the woman’s got her own weird, obsessive quirks that make her just as hilarious—be it drinking too much at a wedding and climbing into a fountain or spying on her kids’ dates, this Type-A character can be totally unhinged in the most relatable way. Ultimately, Claire represents every overworked, under-appreciated parent trying to hold it together with passive-aggressive smiles, and stress-fuelled venting sessions.

7. Lily Tucker-Pritchett

Lily Tucker-Pritchett is a masterclass in deadpan humor and it’s wonderful to see her mature into a sassy powerhouse. Adopted by Mitch and Cam from Vietnam as a baby, Lily started off quiet, but as she found her voice (and what a savage voice it was), she quickly became one of the show’s comedic weapons. Whether delivering cutting one-liners or raising an eyebrow at her dads’ dramatics, Lily always owned her scenes. Remember when she dropped the “I’m adopted, I’m used to rejection” zinger? Yeah, she knew how to roast and cut out the nonsense. We could all see how Lily became mean as she got older and the witty cynicism occasionally crossed into coldness, but she genuinely loved her family and showed it in meaningful gestures.

6. Mitchell Pritchett

Mitchell Pritchett is living proof that the most dramatic people are often the last to admit it. While he spends most of the series pointing out his partner Cam’s theatrical tendencies, Mitch adds much to that dynamic—full of bickering, compromise, and real love—mostly in a delightfully repressed way. Whether he’s overreacting to a lost parking spot, getting a little too invested in a bake sale, or panicking because he lost Lily for five minutes in Disneyland, Mitch does everything with a mix of anxiety, passive aggression, and flamboyance that he denies vehemently. One of his most iconic lines: “I am not dramatic, I’m a lawyer!” came seconds before he staged a mini-meltdown in front of a judge. Oh Mitch and his snide remarks.

5. Luke Dunphy

Luke Dunphy is the quintessential “dumb but dear” sitcom child. But in ‘Modern Family,’ he’s also a brilliant comedic tool. Early seasons had Luke walking into screen doors, hiding under tables, and asking questions like, “If I put my phone in the microwave, will it charge faster?” And somehow, it worked every time. What made Luke hilarious wasn’t just that he was dim-witted, it was that he was completely confident in his own bizarre logic. He once told his family, “If you’re scared of clowns, just think about how they feel wearing makeup and being hated.” You wanted to laugh and hug him at the same time. He also grew up amazingly—keeping his naïve charm but developing real emotional insight.

4. Alex Dunphy

Overshadowed by Haley’s wild antics and Luke’s loveable stupidity, Alex Dunphy was the intellectual middle child everyone loved to ignore. But make no mistake: when it came to delivering biting sarcasm or under-the-radar jokes, Alex crushed it. She was book-smart, socially awkward, and hilariously dry. While other ‘Modern Family’ characters chased romantic drama or outlandish schemes, Alex focused on her academic ambition while dealing with her family’s ridiculous issues. Cue exasperated eye-rolls. But, she wasn’t always the background critic; Alex had insecurities, but brought quiet warmth. This one is for the clever Dunphy who didn’t need to be flashy.

3. Cameron Tucker

Cameron Tucker is not a mere character; he is an experience. Loud, unfiltered, deeply emotional, and always dressed one level too extra, Cam steals every scene he’s in like it’s a one-man show because in his mind, it is. His energy is infectious and the guy knows how to commit fully to bits: from dressing as Fizbo the Clown for a child’s birthday party to directing a high school musical like it’s Broadway. But Cam wasn’t just comic relief. He was also the most heart-touching characters, delivering poignant life lessons. His vulnerability, his fierce love for Lily and Mitchell, and his fear of not being taken seriously added richness to the role. Cam walks the fine line between cartoon character and real person, and somehow lands perfectly on both sides.

2. Gloria Delgado-Pritchett

Gloria is a firecracker, a force of nature. Yes, she’s exaggerated — but that’s the point. The gorgeous lady plays with stereotypes, but then subverts them. She’s loud, sure but she’s also deeply perceptive. In essence, Gloria is beauty, brains, and ballistic energy all rolled into one. Her thick Colombian accent, fierce temper, and passionate approach to everything from cooking to disciplining made her one of the show’s most celebrated characters. What elevates Gloria isn’t just her comedic value, it’s her heart. And even when she yells, it all stems from deep love. Gloria proved that being funny doesn’t mean being silly. It means being bold. And no one was bolder than Gloria on ‘Modern Family.’

1. Phil Dunphy

Phil Dunphy remains the heart and soul of ‘Modern Family’ with endlessly quotable quotes. He’s the guy who proudly identifies as a “cool dad,” despite doing everything in his power to prove otherwise. Phil is a walking compilation of dad jokes, slapstick misfires, and warmth that can melt icebergs. The man is sincere in his beliefs, too. Who else would invent the “Phil’s-osophies,” a series of misguided mottos like “Dance until your feet hurt, sing until your lungs give out, act until you’re William Hurt?” Or insist on magic tricks, breakdancing, and the use of a self-authored real estate rap? But Phil isn’t just funny; he’s pure. He adores his family with such honesty that even his most cringe-worthy moments land with emotional impact. He memorized the lyrics to ‘High School Musical’ just to bond with Haley. He let himself get tackled in football to make Luke feel like a hero. He cried when Alex got into Harvard. And through all of it, he remained a beacon of messy optimism.