Years after Modern Family wrapped its acclaimed run, Mitchell Pritchett’s fatherly instincts seem very much intact. Jesse Tyler Ferguson recently opened up about Frances Anderson, the actress who played his on-screen daughter Lily, admitting that he still feels “like a dad” watching her carve out a new chapter in the music industry. And judging by his heartfelt comments, the bond that began on set appears to have outgrown the sitcom that first brought them together.

While Lily and Mitchell’s story ended years ago, Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s pride in Frances Anderson clearly hasn’t.

Recently spotted at the 2026 Tony Awards, Jesse Tyler Ferguson couldn’t help but gush about Frances Anderson’s latest chapter. Speaking to E! News, the actor said he was “so proud” of his former Modern Family co-star, praising her growth as both a person and an artist. Ferguson revealed that the pair bonded over musical theatre when Anderson was just four or five years old, making her continued passion for singing especially meaningful to him. In fact, he admitted that watching her pursue music still makes him feel like a parent to her.

"I feel like a dad of hers," Ferguson told E! News.

The heartfelt comments carry extra weight given how long the pair have known each other. Anderson, then known as Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, joined Modern Family in 2011 during its third season at just four years old, spending much of her childhood alongside Ferguson’s Mitchell Pritchett. The Tony Awards also proved to be a memorable night for the actor himself, who participated in a special performance celebrating 30 years of Broadway’s Chicago alongside stars including Queen Latifah, P!nk, Alex Newell, and Adrienne Warren. 

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While Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s comments focused on Frances Anderson, his own journey to the Tony Awards stage is a story worth celebrating in its own right.

While millions know Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, the actor’s career extends far beyond Modern Family. Across the sitcom’s 11-season run, Ferguson earned five consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, later expanding his television resume with projects including The Class and HGTV’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition revival. His screen credits also include C****** Bear, voice work in Ice Age: Collision Course, and the production of the acclaimed documentary Broadway Rising.

Theatre, however, remains one of Ferguson’s strongest calling cards. The actor won a Tony Award for Take Me Out in 2022 and earned further acclaim for his portrayal of Truman Capote in Tru. He also originated the role of Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Beyond his Tony win, Ferguson’s accolades include Drama Desk Awards, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and four consecutive SAG Awards shared with the Modern Family ensemble, cementing his place among the most accomplished performers to emerge from the beloved sitcom.

And for Jesse Tyler Ferguson, it seems some Modern Family bonds never really fade. Years after the sitcom’s finale, his pride in Frances Anderson remains as strong as ever.

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What do you think about Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s sweet comments about Frances Anderson? Let us know in the comments.