Nolan Gould looks back at his defining television partnerships, on-set mentors, and lasting cast bonds from eleven seasons of Modern Family.
Nolan Gould grew up directly in front of primetime television audiences, stepping onto Stage 5 to portray the chaotic, well-meaning Luke Dunphy for all eleven seasons of Modern Family. Born in New York City, Gould balanced rapid real-world academic milestones—graduating high school at just 13 years old before earning acceptance to the University of Southern California—with the demanding weekly schedule of a network juggernaut. Along the way, he collected four Screen Actors Guild awards alongside an ensemble cast that served as both colleagues and a second family.
Young Hollywood has tracked those milestones across eight distinct stories since 2012, charting contract renewals, academic achievements, and red carpet appearances. When Nolan Gould sat down with Young Hollywood to give an exclusive walkthrough of the Dunphy living room and soundstage, he reflected on the genuine off-camera relationships that anchored his formative years on television. Watch our full sit-down with Nolan Gould below.
The Dunphy Sibling Bond With Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland
Playing the youngest child in the Dunphy household required constant back-and-forth energy with Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland, who starred as his older sisters Alex and Haley. On screen, the trio traded insult comedy, sibling rivalry, and chaotic schemes across hundreds of episodes. Off screen, their shared experience navigating childhood and young adulthood inside a massive hit comedy created an unbreakable real-life bond.
That personal history was visible in every corner of the set they shared for over a decade. While walking through the Dunphy hallway during his Young Hollywood tour, Gould pointed out the set dressings that mirrored their real upbringing. "Now, all these photos are actually a mix of our real life family photos and memories that we've made here on set," Nolan Gould told Young Hollywood. Working together through multiple contract negotiations and major career transitions kept the three actors aligned as peers who handled early fame as a united front.
Mentorship and Comedic Timing With Ty Burrell
The comedic partnership between Luke and his on-screen father Phil Dunphy, played by Ty Burrell, formed one of the core engines of the series. Their shared storylines relied heavily on physical comedy, trampoline stunts, and bizarre household inventions. Burrell served not only as a frequent scene partner for Gould, but also as a steady creative mentor on the mechanics of sitcom timing and professional discipline.
Having veteran actors nearby gave Gould a grounded perspective during years when young performers often face intense industry pressure. "The fact that I have an older cast like looking out for me and making sure that like I don't go crazy or go off the rails and like helping me not only keep my sanity, but just be happy," Gould explained when discussing the guidance he received from the adult cast members who shared his daily schedule.
Growing Up on Set Alongside Rico Rodriguez
While Gould spent significant time working with the Dunphy family unit, his parallel partnership with Rico Rodriguez, who played Manny Delgado, was unique. As the two youngest male leads on the call sheet, Gould and Rodriguez practically grew up side by side from the pilot episode onward. Their on-screen dynamic thrived on the sharp contrast between Luke's impulsive antics and Manny's sophisticated, poetry-reading demeanor.
Off camera, their camaraderie made long production days manageable, creating a normal childhood environment in the middle of a major studio lot. Surviving the transition from elementary school ages to adulthood under the public eye solidified their connection across more than 200 episodes of television.
Reflecting on the sheer scale of the community that surrounded him throughout his developmental years, Gould emphasized how much that collective support mattered. "I know that sounds like a little cliche, but I have this gigantic cast that's, you know, having all this influence on my life," he shared during his studio tour.
Spending over a decade on a single soundstage is a rare reality in television, but Gould navigated the experience by leaning into the genuine partnerships around him. The lasting creative and personal relationships forged with his Modern Family co-stars remain the foundation of his career as he steps into new creative chapters.
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