Okay, so we’re having a bit of a moment with this next character. Nathan Lane! Like, Nathan Lane! He’s only appeared in over 45 films, including The Lion King, The Birdcage, Mouse Hunt, and The Producers! The 62-year old plays Sherman “Pepper” Saltzman, one of Mitchell and Cameron’s extravagant gay friends, and, somewhat controversially…he dated Cameron before the series began! Back to Mr. Lane, you’ve seen The Birdcage, you’ll totally understand when we say we feel he’s reprised his role. So, so, fabulous darling! The best part; Pepper’s eccentricity, obnoxiousness and dramatic flair are almost on par with his real-life self!
A renowned Broadway performer, he has impressively won three Tony Awards, as well as six Drama Desk awards, six Outer Critic’s Circle Awards, two Obies…two Golden Globe nominations…a Screen Actor’s Guild Award….AND a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are more accolades he has accumulated over the years, but we’re exhausted already! And how wonderful that he has a partner (sorry, husband!) that is just as dazzling, and talented! Sharing the highs (and lows, no doubt) of his career with his long-time theatre-producer boyfriend, Devlin Elliott, Nathan Lane has certainly found his life partner. The pair dated for 18 years (!!!) before deciding to make things official. These days the power-couple are still going strong, albeit with an adorable side hobby; launching a children’s book series following the life of a French bulldog, named Mabel. We love it and love him!!
Joe Mande & Kylie Augustine (Married)
A relative latecomer to the show is stand-up comedian Joe Mande. The walking funny bone portrays Ben, Alex Dunphy’s love interest in season 8 of Modern Family. Whilst he only makes a brief appearance on the show, it’s his real-life that has us interested! Quickly gaining in popularity, the actor-comedian is also a writer, and a huge animal lover!
Together with his wife Kylie Augustine, (as well as their kids!) Joe’s home has become something of a dog shelter – just check out Kylie’s Instagram! So…many…puppies! The couple tied the knot in 2015, and, refreshingly, have decided to keep their private life, well, private! Not only does it give their beautiful family a chance to grow without the pressure and the media spotlight, but also some privacy! That’s no joke! (ha…ha...)
Fred Willard & Mary Willard (Were Married)
It’s only fitting really that the father of Phil Dunphy would be equally as hysterical as his son! The funny gene runs deep in the Dunphy family, and fans of the show were well in their rights to be introduced to the person from whom Phil gets some of his best dad jokes! Playing Frank Dunphy was Fred Willard. Don’t think this was his first comedic rodeo – oh no, Fred was very well known on the comedy circuit! Best known for his roles in This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration and of course, Anchorman, Fred was a great fit on the show! You have probably also recognized him from his recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond as Hank MacDougall, Robert Barone’s father-in-law!
They say that looks fade, but humor never does…and that was probably the secret to his and Mary Willard’s 51-year marriage! The pair married in 1968, and, all credit to them, have managed to weather the paparazzi raining down on them (oh yes, as if we wouldn’t put a Dad-worthy pun in there!) as well as the Hollywood spotlight. Sadly, however, both Willard and his beloved wife are no longer with us.
Elizabeth Banks & Max Handelman (Married)
Another one of Mitchell and Cameron’s closest friends is the wildly glamorous Sal. But while she’s a great friend and all (well, most of the time), she does have her dark side. I mean, who fights with a little girl? Confused? Well, she seems to despise little Lily (Say what?!). Why’s that? Because the couple started “hanging out” with their DAUGHTER more than with her after the adoption. Priorities, friends. Once a party girl, always a party girl it seems; we see in the show that Cameron and Mitchell are constantly having to put her on the straight and narrow! The things we do for our friends, huh?
You’ll be pleased to know that in real life she’s definitely not as flaky, nor as party-girl! The famous actress has been married for 16 years to Max Handelman. It seems that he’s the type of man that can handle a lot of things! (There’s our inner Phil coming out again, apologies). An American sportswriter, film producer and blogger, he’s just as talented as his stunning wife! The pair have two gorgeous children together, Magnus and Felix.
Nathan Fillion & Krista Allen (Rumored)
You basically know you’ve got the job of weather-man when your name is Rainer Shine, right? We’d hire him on the spot! Look, we got serious narcissistic vibes from this dude…and sure, Haley might be a bit vain, but this guy’s just too much! In Season 8, he proposes to Haley, which doesn’t sit well with Phil at all! Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, when the pair have doubts after five minutes…awkward.
While he plays the most self-obsessed character we’ve encountered on the show, he is the total opposite in real life! He and author PJ Haarsma co-founded the NFP organisation Kids Need to Read – what an awesome pair of humans. We really don’t know much about his real-life partner; however, rumors are swirling that he is currently dating Krista Allen, an American actress of soap-opera fame on Days of Our Lives and Baywatch! She also is known for her on-again, off-again romance with heartthrob George Clooney.