Julie Bowen

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Julie Bowen

Julie Bowen

Photo credit: 
AP

Julie Bowen

Birthday: March 3
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland

A two-time Emmy Award winning actress, Julie Bowen has enjoyed success working steadily on both popular hit television shows and the big screen.

Bowen currently stars in the critically acclaimed hit ABC comedy Modern Family as Claire Dunphy. Bowen's performance in the series earned her two Emmy wins in 2011 and 2012. Modern Family has won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series for its first three seasons. The show also won a Golden Globe® in 2012 for Best Television Series Comedy or Musical, and the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the 2011, 2012 and 2013 SAG Awards.

A two-time Emmy Award winning actress, Julie Bowen has enjoyed success working steadily on both popular hit television shows and the big screen.

Bowen currently stars in the critically acclaimed hit ABC comedy Modern Family as Claire Dunphy. Bowen's performance in the series earned her two Emmy wins in 2011 and 2012. Modern Family has won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series for its first three seasons. The show also won a Golden Globe® in 2012 for Best Television Series Comedy or Musical, and the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the 2011, 2012 and 2013 SAG Awards.

For four seasons, Bowen played Carol Vessey, the dream girl of former classmate-turned-lawyer Ed Stevens on the charming NBC series Ed. Bowen then joined James Spader and William Shatner for two seasons on ABC's hit series, Boston Legal. Her other television credits include a recurring role as Matthew Fox's wife on the hit ABC series Lost and a guest star arc as Lisa Ferris, a cheese shop owner who seduces a younger man on the darkly comedic Showtime series Weeds. Bowen has the distinct recognition of being nominated by the SAG Awards for seven consecutive years as part of an ensemble on television.

On the big screen, Bowen was recently seen in feature film Knife Fight, opposite Rob Lowe, as well as the hit film Horrible Bosses opposite Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day. She also starred in Sony's Jumping the Broom opposite Angela Bassett and Paula Patton. Her previous film credits include Multiplicity with Michael Keaton, Crazy on the Outside with Tim Allen and the modern comedy classic Happy Gilmore opposite Adam Sandler.

Raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Bowen caught the acting bug as a child while putting on plays with her two sisters in their backyard. She attended Brown University, where she starred in Guys And Dolls, Stage Door and Lemon Sky. While earning her degree in Italian Renaissance studies, she also spent a year in Florence, Italy and became fluent in Italian.

In the advertising world, Bowen has been both the face of Neutrogena and the voice of Pampers. Bowen currently serves on the Board of Directors for Baby2Baby, a charity which supplies families in need with essential baby gear and clothing for their children. She has also lent her time and support to the charitable efforts of Maxwell House and March of Dimes, as well as Step Up Women's Network and P.S. Arts.

Bowen lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three sons.

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Awards & Nominations

6 Nominations | 2 Emmys
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series - 2015
  • Nominee
  • Julie Bowen, as Claire Dunphy
  • Modern Family
  • ABC
  • Picador Productions and Steven Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series - 2013
  • Nominee
  • Julie Bowen, as Claire Dunphy
  • Modern Family
  • ABC
  • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series - 2012
  • Winner
  • Julie Bowen, as Claire Dunphy
  • Modern Family
  • ABC
  • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series - 2011
  • Winner
  • Julie Bowen, as Claire Dunphy
  • Modern Family
  • ABC
  • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series - 2010
  • Nominee
  • Julie Bowen, as Claire Dunphy
  • Modern Family
  • ABC
  • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

Julie Bowen on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Julie Bowen and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Julie Bowen on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Sofía Vergara (l) and Julie Bowen (r) of Modern Family at the 66th Emmys.
Julie Bowen of Modern Family arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Gail Mancuso celebrates her Emmy win with Julie Bowen
Connie Britton, Julie Bowen, Dan Bucatinsky, Anna Gunn
A modern family sitting together for the 65th Emmy Awards.
Jane Lynch and Julie Bowen at the 2013 Performers Emmy Celebration
 (L-R) Ty Burrell poses with the award for "Oustanding Supporting Actor in A Comedy Series" and Julie Bowen poses with the award
Julie Bowen with the award for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series" at the trophy table
Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen and Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the 2013 Performers Emmy Celebration
Modern Family stars Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen with their Emmys at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre
Julie Bowen poses with the award for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series" in the press room
Julie Bowen arrives at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Julie Bowen accepts the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
The cast of Modern Family at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards
The cast of Modern Family at An Evening With Modern Family
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy in Modern Family — ABC
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy in Modern Family — ABC
Modern Family - Julie Bowen with husband Scott Phillips
Modern Family - Julie Bowen
Modern Family - Nolan Gould and Julie Bowen
Modern Family - Sarah Hyland and Julie Bowen
Modern Family - Julie Bowen
Modern Family - cast of An Evening With Modern Family
Modern Family - Julie Bowen
Fill 1
Fill 1
Julie Bowen on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Camera

Julie Bowen on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.

Invision/AP
Julie Bowen and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Julie Bowen and Kerry Washington at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Julie Bowen on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Julie Bowen on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Sofía Vergara (l) and Julie Bowen (r) of Modern Family at the 66th Emmys.
Camera

Sofía Vergara (l) and Julie Bowen (r) of Modern Family at the 66th Emmys.

Invision/AP
Julie Bowen of Modern Family arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Julie Bowen of Modern Family arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Gail Mancuso celebrates her Emmy win with Julie Bowen
Camera
Invision/AP
Connie Britton, Julie Bowen, Dan Bucatinsky, Anna Gunn
Camera
Invision/AP
A modern family sitting together for the 65th Emmy Awards.
Camera
AP/Invision
Jane Lynch and Julie Bowen at the 2013 Performers Emmy Celebration
Camera
Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP
 (L-R) Ty Burrell poses with the award for "Oustanding Supporting Actor in A Comedy Series" and Julie Bowen poses with the award
Julie Bowen with the award for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series" at the trophy table
Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen and Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the 2013 Performers Emmy Celebration
Camera
Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP
Modern Family stars Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen with their Emmys at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre
Julie Bowen poses with the award for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series" in the press room
Julie Bowen arrives at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Julie Bowen accepts the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
The cast of Modern Family at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards
Camera
Mathew Imaging
The cast of Modern Family at An Evening With Modern Family
Camera
Mathew Imaging
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy in Modern Family — ABC
Camera
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy in Modern Family — ABC
Modern Family - Julie Bowen with husband Scott Phillips
Camera
Mathew Imaging
Modern Family - Julie Bowen
Camera
Mathew Imaging
Modern Family - Nolan Gould and Julie Bowen
Camera
Mathew Imaging
Modern Family - Sarah Hyland and Julie Bowen
Camera
Mathew Imaging
Modern Family - Julie Bowen
Camera
Mathew Imaging
Modern Family - cast of An Evening With Modern Family
Camera
Mathew Imaging
Modern Family - Julie Bowen
Camera
Mathew Imaging
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