Rico Rodriguez, widely known for his role as Manny Delgado on the ABC sitcom "Modern Family," made an appearance this week at the premiere of the horror film "It Ends." Rodriguez, now 28, was 11 when he joined the cast in 2009 as the stepson of Ed O'Neill's character Jay Pritchett and the son of Sofia Vergara's Gloria.
The series, which became an international success, concluded its 11-season run in 2020. Following "Modern Family," Rodriguez has taken on roles in various Nickelodeon shows and lent his voice to the animated basketball comedy "Sneaks" last year, alongside actors like Anthony Mackie and Chloe Bailey.
At the Wednesday premiere, Rodriguez, who did not act in "It Ends," sported a casual look with a short-sleeved print shirt, black trousers, and tan leather sneakers. He was accompanied by his sister, Raini Rodriguez, an actress known for her roles on the Disney Channel and in the "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" franchise.
Rodriguez began his acting career in Los Angeles at age six, securing an early role on Disney Channel's "Cory in the House." His career also includes appearances on shows such as "ER," "Nip/Tuck," "iCarly," and "My Name Is Earl," as well as a part in the 2007 parody film "Epic Movie."
He previously shared on a podcast that he sometimes struggled with the mature dialogue of his "Modern Family" character, Manny, who was portrayed as an "old soul." Rodriguez recalled seeking help from his studio teacher to understand the meaning and context of his lines.
"Modern Family" garnered multiple accolades, including four Screen Actors Guild Awards for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series, with Rodriguez among the recipients.
In the lead-up to the show's finale in April 2020, Rodriguez, then 21, expressed his sentimentality about the series ending, calling the cast his "second family."
In late 2023, Sofia Vergara hosted a "Modern Family" reunion, with most of the principal cast in attendance, along with creator Steven Levitan and showrunner Christopher Lloyd. The gathering prompted clarification from the cast after a framed photo of Ty Burrell led to speculation about his well-being.
Rodriguez's post-"Modern Family" work includes appearances on Nickelodeon reality series like "The Substitute" and "Unfiltered."