Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family recalls awkward police encounter

Express Tribune

17-06-2025

Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, renowned for his role in Modern Family, recently shared a humorous yet reflective story from his teenage years during an appearance on Where There's a Will There's a Wake with host Mel Giedroyc.
Ferguson recalled a time when he was in his early teens and found himself caught while attempting to steal an adult magazine as part of his exploration of his sexuality. Reflecting on the incident, he expressed that it wasn't out of criminal intent but rather a way to understand his identity at a time when resources were scarce. 'There wasn't a lot available to me to explore my sexuality,' Ferguson said, noting the limited options he had back then.
The incident took a turn when security at the store, alerted by a metal detector, called the police. Ferguson humorously described his reaction, adding, 'I almost died then… knowing I had something under my shirt.' He later reflected on how the situation was both an awkward and formative moment in his journey of self-discovery.
Now happily married to Justin Mikita with two young children, Ferguson often shares stories about his experiences with parenting and life. In one memorable moment from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he joked about raising his son, Beckett, 'gay until he decides to be straight,' highlighting the lighthearted nature of his approach to fatherhood.
Ferguson's candid reflection comes amidst other stories of openness, including from Modern Family co-star Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who recently shared her bisexuality in a TikTok video. Both actors contribute to important conversations about identity and representation in the entertainment industry.