| Julie Bowen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name: | Julie Bowen |
| Born: | March 3, 1970 |
| Birth Hometown: | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Years active: | 1992-present |
| Known for: | Playing Claire Dunphy in Modern Family |
Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer (born March 3, 1970) is an American actress, best known for playing Claire Dunphy on the TV comedy series Modern Family (2009–2020). She also played Aunt Gwen on Dawson's Creek (2000), Carol Vessey on Ed (2000–04), Denise Bauer on Boston Legal (2005–07) and Sarah Shephard on Lost (2005–07). Her Modern Family role brought her six nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2010–2015), which she won in 2011 and 2012. Bowen also appeared in films Happy Gilmore (1996), Multiplicity (1996), Venus and Mars (2001), Joe Somebody (2001), Kids in America (2005), Sex and Death 101 (2007), Crazy on the Outside (2010), Jumping the Broom (2011) and Horrible Bosses (2011) and others.
Early life[]
Bowen was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the second of three daughters of Suzanne (née Frey) and John Alexander Luetkemeyer Jr., a commercial real estate developer. She is the sister of noted infectious disease specialist Annie Luetkemeyer.
Raised in suburban Ruxton-Riderwood, Maryland, Bowen first attended Calvert School, then Garrison Forest School, Roland Park Country School, and St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island. She attended Brown University, majoring in Italian Renaissance studies. She spent her junior year in Florence, Italy. During college, she had roles in Guys and Dolls, Stage Door, and Lemon Sky. Before graduating, she had the lead role in the independent film Five Spot Jewel. Bowen studied acting at the Actor's Institute, among other places.
Career[]
Bowen had a role in the soap opera Loving (1992) and an episode of the college drama Class of '96(1993). She had the lead role in the television film Runaway Daughters (1994). She played the love interest of the title character in Happy Gilmore(1996). She appeared in the films Multiplicity(1996) and An American Werewolf in Paris (1997). She has had guest roles on television series such as Party of Five (1996) and Strange Luck (1996).
Bowen had a recurring role as Roxanne Please on ER (1998–99). She first gained prominence on the television series Ed (2000–04), where she played high school English teacher Carol Vessey. She then guest starred as Sarah Shephard in five episodes of Lost (2005–07). She also played attorney Denise Bauer on the series Boston Legal (2005–08), and had a recurring role on Weeds (2008). She was a spokesmodel for Neutrogena, most recently advertising the Pure Glow products. She appeared on an episode of Celebrity Jeopardy! on August 31, 2010.
Since 2009, Bowen has starred as Claire Dunphy on the ABC sitcom Modern Family. For her portrayal, she received six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2010–15), winning the award in 2011 and 2012. Bowen has said that winning an Emmy is like "German soldiers in the trenches of the World Wars" and that "when you win the award, it is like being pulled out of the trench." She also said, "as exciting and wonderful as it is not to be in the trench, and to be recognized for what you do, it also means everyone has got a clear shot at you and that is a very frightening prospect for most of us."
Personal life[]
Bowen suffers from the cardiovascular condition bradycardia: her regular heartbeat is below normal. As a result, she has worn a pacemaker since her early twenties.
Bowen married Scott Phillips, a real estate investor and software developer, on September 9, 2004. They have three sons, the first born in April 2007, and twins born in May 2009, with whom she was visibly pregnant when shooting the pilot for Modern Family. She is a self-described "low Protestant."In February 2018, she filed for divorce from Phillips. It was finalized on September 13, 2018.
In 2016, Bowen appeared in "Fight Song", a Pitch Perfect-inspired music video shown at the Democratic National Convention in support of nominee Hillary Clinton.