Jesse Tyler Ferguson
March 28, 2010
Jesse Tyler Ferguson is an American actor known for his role as Richie Velch in the CBS sitcom The Class and currently seen as Mitchell Pritchett on the ABC sitcom Modern Family. Jesse graduated from high school in 1994 and attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City. He worked mainly in off-Broadway and Broadway shows, including the Tony Award-winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, where he originated the role of Leaf Coneybear. In the summer of 2007, Jesse starred in the Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer's Night Dream. He also recently starred in the 2008 thriller Untraceable. Learn more here.
In a March 2010 interview for USA Today, Ferguson, alongside Modern Family co-star Eric Stonestreet, said:
"So many traditional parents have come up to me and said, 'My husband is totally Cameron.' They're relating to it," says Ferguson, who is openly gay and single. "I really wanted to be part of this couple on television. I think it's groundbreaking. It hasn't been done. I wanted to be the voice for that character and represent." Plus, Ferguson says, it might help people be more comfortable with gay marriage. "It's a safe 'in' for a lot of people who are on the fence about the issue," he says. "They feel OK liking our couple. Maybe that will bleed into their personal life. Maybe it's not such a big deal if two men raise a baby." [Link]
Freedom to Marry salutes Jesse Tyler Ferguson as a Voice for Equality!
If Mr. Ferguson's support inspires you, take action by signing the Freedom to Marry Pledge!