Behind the Scenes of Modern Family: Rico Rodriguez’s Funny Revelations
The beloved family sitcom Modern Family created a close-knit environment that truly felt like family. Rico Rodriguez, who portrayed Manny Delgado for all eleven seasons, recently opened up about some amusing experiences involving his co-star Sofia Vergara, who played his on-screen mom, Gloria. Rodriguez revealed that he often found himself being “played” into doing little favors for Vergara during their time on set.
Improv and Unexpected Tasks on Set
“It was so funny because I was almost always with Sofia,” Rodriguez shared on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast Dinner’s On Me. “And, as many people know, Sofia has a love for improvisation. Sometimes she would go off-script, and she’d ask, ‘Rico, what’s my line?'”
Rodriguez reminisced about how he would frequently be caught up in these spontaneous moments, often showing up to set knowing not only his lines but also those of his co-stars. This tendency to be overly helpful led to some unexpected favors and humorous situations.
Getting ‘Played’ by Sofia Vergara
“I love Sofia, but I definitely got played by her,” Rodriguez admitted with a smile. “One day, she was running late to the table read, and I noticed she was marking her lines on her script. Being the kind person I am, I thought I’d help out by marking her script for her.”
This act of kindness turned into a running joke. “She arrived, thanked me, touched my cheeks, and everything seemed fine. But the next week, she was on time, and I was sitting there marking my sides. Then the read started, and Sofia looked at me and said, ‘Rico, you didn’t mark my script.’ I was surprised and replied, ‘What? I didn’t know I was supposed to! I only did it because I was being nice!'”
Life Imitating Art
Rodriguez reflected on how these moments mirrored his character Manny’s helpful nature. “I was literally Manny in that moment, helping Sofia out,” he laughed. “But honestly, I had no problem doing it because I love Sofia.” His stories highlight the playful and supportive atmosphere on set, which contributed to the show’s charm.
Modern Family’s Legacy
Modern Family first aired in 2009 and concluded in 2020. Today, it remains a popular series, available for streaming on platforms like Hulu and Peacock, continuing to entertain new audiences with its humor and heart.
Photo Credit
Photo by Tony Rivetti via Getty Images.
About the Author
Lex Briscuso is a seasoned film and television critic and a freelance entertainment journalist. Follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
Alex Hunter
Alex is a passionate gamer with over a decade of experience exploring everything from AAA blockbusters to indie gems. He specializes in uncovering hidden secrets, mastering complex mechanics, and creating in-depth walkthroughs. Whether it’s a challenging boss fight or a puzzling questline, Alex breaks it all down in a way that’s fun, clear, and engaging for readers of all levels.
