Eric Stonestreet
{{Short description|American actor}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Eric Stonestreet
| image = Eric Stonestreet at 2015 PaleyFest.jpg
| caption = Stonestreet at PaleyFest LA in March 2015
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|9|9}}
| birth_place = Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1999–present
| alma_mater = Kansas State University
| partner = Lindsay Schweitzer
(2016–present; engaged)
| awards = {{hlist|2 Emmys|4 SAG Awards}}
}}
Eric Allen Stonestreet (born September 9, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Cameron Tucker in the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020), for which he received two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series out of three nominations. He first rose to prominence in a recurring role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He has also appeared in films including Bad Teacher (2011), Identity Thief (2013), The Loft (2014), and Confirmation (2016), and provides the voice of Duke in the animated The Secret Life of Pets film franchise (2016–2019).
Early life
Eric Allen Stonestreet{{cite magazine|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/eric-stonestreet/bio/235346|title=Eric Stonestreet|magazine=TV Guide|access-date=July 14, 2015|archive-date=June 18, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160618134807/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/eric-stonestreet/bio/235346/}} was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on September 9, 1971, the son of teacher's aide Jamey Anne (née Ball) and retail business owner Vincent Stonestreet.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/actor-eric-stonestreet-from-kansas-farm-to-sitcom-star-1490712495|title=Actor Eric Stonestreet, From Kansas Farm to Sitcom Star|date=March 28, 2017|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=February 8, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}} He is of German descent.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0832314/bio | title=Eric Stonestreet | website=IMDb }} His family had a pig farm growing up.{{cite AV media |people=Bensinger, Graham |date=19 September 2024 |title=Eric Stonestreet: Full interview |type=Video |language=English |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJVcy5CHQ50 |access-date=21 October 2024}} As a child, he wanted to become a clown,Stated on Inside the Actors Studio, 2011 and created a clown character named Fizbo; by age 11, he was performing at younger children's birthday parties. He recalled in 2012, "I don't know where the name Fizbo came from. I do know one day that's what my dad was calling me and that's the name that I printed on my business cards." The name "Fizbo" was later used for a clown character he periodically played on Modern Family.
Stonestreet attended Piper High School and Kansas State University, where he was in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity,{{cite news| url= http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/article308727/Eric-Stonestreet-talks-Emmys-clowns-gay-marriage-and-Tonganoxie.html| title=Eric Stonestreet talks Emmys, clowns, gay marriage and Tonganoxie|first=Time|last=Engle|date= September 21, 2012 |access-date= June 22, 2016| work=Kansas City Star |location =Kansas City, Kansas| archive-date=June 20, 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140620044954/http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/article308727/Eric-Stonestreet-talks-Emmys-clowns-gay-marriage-and-Tonganoxie.html | url-status=live}} graduating with a degree in sociology in 1996.{{cite press release |url=https://www.k-state.edu/theatre/alumni/stonestreet.html |first=Marci |last=Maullar |publisher=Kansas State University Theatre Dept. |title=K-State Alum wins an Emmy for his role in ABC Comedy Series |date=n.d. |access-date=June 22, 2016 |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809100345/https://www.k-state.edu/theatre/alumni/stonestreet.html |url-status=live }} While there, he made his stage debut when he appeared in Prelude to a Kiss, for which he auditioned on a dare and won the smallest role. He later appeared in All My Sons and Twelfth Night, before studying improv at ImprovOlympic and The Second City Training Center in Chicago, then moved to Los Angeles to begin his professional acting career.
Career
=Early work and smaller roles=
He made his film debut in Almost Famous, as desk clerk Sheldon. He also played Dr. Benson in Girls Will Be Girls, Ed the Trucker in The Island, and Courtney's Neighbor in Ninja Cheerleaders. In 2007, Stonestreet appeared in the short film "Vinny's Vault," which was produced during the reality show On the Lot. He also appeared in the movies Identity Thief as Big Chuck, and Bad Teacher as Kirk.
He is also notable for his role as Ronnie Litre on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He also guest starred in television shows, such as Dharma & Greg, ER, Malcolm in the Middle, The Mentalist, NCIS, Nip/Tuck, Party of Five, Spin City, The West Wing, Pushing Daisies, Greg the Bunny, Providence, Close to Home, Crossing Jordan, Bones, Monk, and American Horror Story. Early in his career Stonestreet was featured in Kansas State University's 1996 football and the Big 12 Conference TV commercials' campaign as the "purple pride guy."{{Cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/sports-news/2019/04/03/nwhl-expansion-canada|title=Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet of Modern Family|last=Berkman|first=Seth|date=April 3, 2019|website=Boston.com|language=en-US|access-date=April 3, 2019}}
=''Modern Family'' and beyond=
File:Eric Stonestreet at the 2010 SAG Awards.jpg]]
Stonestreet played Cameron Tucker in ABC's Modern Family. His performance in the series was widely acclaimed and earned him numerous awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, four SAG Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series, and nominations for three Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actor in Television.
In 2013, he appeared in a series of advertisements for Australian retail store Big W.{{Cite web|url=https://campaignbrief.com/big-w-recruits-modern-familys/|title=Big W recruits Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet for latest campaign via Saatchi & Saatchi, Sydney|last=Lynchy|date=April 9, 2013|website=Campaign Brief|language=en-AU|access-date=April 3, 2019}} In the fall of the same year, Stonestreet played the "Fan Coach" in the AT&T "Be A Fan" commercial series that ran during the college football season, in addition to appearing in a MasterCard/Stand Up 2 Cancer commercial as himself.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/284731/20190323/30-amazing-things-probably-didnt-know-eric-stonestreet.htm|title=30 Amazing Things You Probably Didn't Know About Eric Stonestreet|date=March 23, 2019|website=BoomsBeat.com|access-date=July 25, 2019}} In 2014, he performed in "Weird Al" Yankovic's music video for "Tacky," a parody of Pharrell's "Happy". In the same year he also starred in the remake of the Belgian thriller The Loft.{{cite web|last=Moore |first=Debi |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/83297/loft-arriving-one-week-later-originally-announced/ |title=The Loft Arriving One Week Later than Originally Announced |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=December 22, 2014 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/eric-stonestreet-wentworth-miller-in-loft-1118036795/|title=Eric Stonestreet, Wentworth Miller in 'Loft'|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=May 11, 2011|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=July 25, 2019}} He regularly appears onstage at IO West improv Theatre in Los Angeles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/end-scene-l-a-s-io-west-theater-to-close-suddenly-after-21-years/|title=End Scene: L.A.'s iO West Theater to Close Suddenly After 21 Years|last=Gropman|first=Adam|date=February 21, 2018|website=LA Weekly|language=en-US|access-date=July 25, 2019}}
In 2017, Stonestreet hosted the ABC competition series The Toy Box.{{cite press release|url=http://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/shows/the-toy-box/press-releases/|title=ABC Announces Expert Mentors and Young Judges Appearing on Upcoming Toy-Competition Series 'The Toy Box,' Premiering Friday, April 7|date=January 4, 2017|access-date=April 7, 2017|publisher=ABC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408171503/http://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/shows/the-toy-box/press-releases/|archive-date=April 8, 2017|url-status=dead}}
In 2020, Stonestreet appeared as a guest judge for a taping of auditions for the fifteenth season of America's Got Talent, in place of Heidi Klum.{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/eric-stonestreet-filling-in-for-heidi-klum-on-agt-after-she-gets-common-cold/ar-BB1143vt|title=Actor Eric Stonestreet to Fill in For Heidi Klum at "AGT" Taping|website=www.msn.com}} In the same year he appeared in the music video for Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber's song "Stuck with U".{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/celebrities-stuck-with-u-music-video-ariana-grande-justin-bieber-2020-5|title=Celeb Cameos in Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber's 'Stuck with U'|website=Insider|date=May 9, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2021}}
In March 2021, it was announced that Stonestreet would be hosting Domino Masters for Fox.{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |title=Eric Stonestreet To Host Unscripted Competition Series Domino Masters For Fox |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/eric-stonestreet-host-competition-domino-masters-fox-1234722590/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 26, 2022 |date=March 26, 2021}} The competition series premiered on March 9, 2022.{{cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |title=Fox Spring Premiere Dates: More Masked Singer; 9-1-1 Return; Domino Masters Debuts, More |url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/fox-spring-premiere-dates-masked-911-masterchef-junior-singer-welcome-to-flatch-domino-masters-1234920416/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 26, 2022 |date=January 26, 2022}}
In November 2024, Stonestreet was named as the godfather for the new Norwegian Cruise Line ship Norwegian Aqua.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=NCL Names Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet as Godfather for Norwegian Aqua |url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/cruises/articles/ncl-names-actor-eric-stonestreet-as-godfather-for-norwegian-aqua |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=www.travelmarketreport.com}}
Personal life
Stonestreet began dating pediatric nurse Lindsay Schweitzer in June 2016,{{cite web |last1=Corriston |first1=Michele |title=Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet Is Off the Market |url=https://people.com/tv/modern-family-star-eric-stonestreet-is-dating-pediatric-nurse-lindsay-schweitzer |website=People |access-date=August 23, 2021 |language=en |date=August 30, 2017}} and they became engaged on August 22, 2021.{{cite web |title=Eric Stonestreet Engaged to Longtime Girlfriend Lindsay Schweitzer |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/eric-stonestreet-engaged-lindsay-schweitzer-1235001426 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=August 23, 2021 |date=August 23, 2021}}
Although he played a gay character in Modern Family, Stonestreet is heterosexual and has lightheartedly described himself as "openly straight".{{cite web|title=Oprah talks to the cast of Modern Family|url=http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Oprah-Talks-to-the-Cast-of-Modern-Family_1/2|website=The Oprah Winfrey Show|access-date=September 13, 2014|page=2| archive-date=August 21, 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160821164315/http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Oprah-Talks-to-the-Cast-of-Modern-Family_1/2| url-status=live}} His Modern Family co-star and onscreen husband Jesse Tyler Ferguson (who is gay in real life) jokingly called him "gay-for-pay".{{cite web|url=http://out.com/detail.asp?id=25913 |title=All In The Family |publisher=Out.com |access-date=November 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919062242/http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=25913 |archive-date=September 19, 2011 }} Stonestreet supports LGBTQ causes; he refused Republican senator Rick Santorum's request to take a picture with him at the 2014 White House Correspondents' dinner due to Santorum's staunchly anti-gay platform.{{cite news|last1=Reynolds|first1=Daniel|title=Modern Family's Gay Dad Says NO WAY to Rick Santorum Photo|url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/media/2014/07/25/modern-familys-gay-dad-says-no-way-rick-santorum-photo|access-date=July 25, 2014|publisher=The Advocate|date=July 25, 2014}}
A keen sports fan, Stonestreet supports the Kansas City Chiefs football team{{cite news|url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2019/11/26/20984027/actor-eric-stonestreet-is-among-new-owners-of-the-kansas-city-royals|title=Actor Eric Stonestreet is among new owners of the Kansas City Royals|last=Dixon|first=John|date=November 26, 2019|work=Arrowhead Pride|publisher=SBNation|access-date=April 27, 2021}} and joined the new ownership group of the Kansas City Royals baseball team in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.kmbc.com/article/eric-stonestreet-part-of-new-kansas-city-royals-ownership-group-baseball-modern-family-kansas-city-kansas-piper-kstate/29992674|title=Eric Stonestreet part of new Royals ownership group|author= |date=November 26, 2019 |website=KMBC 9 News|access-date=July 4, 2024}} He has also driven the pace car at several NASCAR events.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/profiles-strategies/2014/10/jill-gregory-took-a-bunch-of-nascar-drivers-to.html?page=all|title=Jill Gregory took a bunch of NASCAR drivers to Hollywood. Here's what she's planning next|last=Burns|first=Hilary|date=October 29, 2014|website=bizwomen|access-date=July 25, 2019}} He often attends football games at his alma mater, Kansas State University, and stays active with several organizations there.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article217008435.html|title=Eric Stonestreet makes an 'official' recruiting visit to K-State football team|date=August 20, 2018|website=The Kansas City Star.|access-date=July 25, 2019}}
Stonestreet is also a fan of drums, mainly a collector of them which he talked about on comedian Rob Riggle's podcast Riggles Picks.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwbZDEQI6Yw |title=Eric Stonestreet {{!}} Riggle's Picks podcast Ep. 5 |language=en |access-date=2024-04-18 |via=www.youtube.com}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"|Notes |
|---|
| 2000
| Sheldon the Desk Clerk | |
| rowspan="3" | 2003
| F.A.T. | Ranger | |
| Girls Will Be Girls
| Dr. Benson | |
| Street of Pain
| Floyd | Short film |
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| Labor Organizer | |
| Knuckle Sandwich
| Bill | |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| Saddam 17 | The Clerk | Short film |
| The Island
| Ed the Trucker | |
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| The Drifter | Delivery Guy | Short film |
| Stories USA
| Floyd | Segment: "Street of Pain" |
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| Beergut | |
| American Crude
| Phil | |
| 2010
| Father vs. Son | Doug | |
| 2011
| Kirk Gay | |
| 2013
| Big Chuck | |
| 2014
| The Loft | Marty Landry | |
| 2016
| rowspan=2|Duke (voice) | |
| 2019
| |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"|Notes |
|---|
| 1999
| Chester | Episode: "See Dharma Run" |
| rowspan="5" | 2000
| Himself | Unknown episodes |
| Malcolm in the Middle
| Phil | Episode: "Malcolm Babysits" |
| Party of Five
| Irv | 2 episodes |
| Spin City
| The Dentist | Episode: "Smile" |
| ER
| Willie | Episode: "Mars Attacks" |
| 2001
| Staffer #1 | Episode: "Bad Moon Rising" |
| rowspan="2" | 2002
| Wilson | Episode: "Welcome to Sweetknuckle Junction" |
| Providence
| Ted Stout | Episode: "Eye of the Storm" |
| 2001–2005
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Ronnie Litre | 12 episodes |
| 2005
| Andrew Morgan | Episode: "Under Threat" |
| 2006
| 13 Graves | Andrew Schoch | Television film |
| rowspan="4" | 2007
| Steve Anderman | Episode: "D.O.A." |
| Bones
| D.C. Cop | rowspan="2" | 2 episodes |
| On the Lot
| Actor |
| American Dad!
| Short Order Cook (voice) | Episode: "Dope & Faith" |
| rowspan="3" | 2008
| Malcom Boatwright | Episode: "Red Hair and Silver Tape" |
| Pushing Daisies
| Leo Burns | Episode: "Comfort Food" |
| NCIS
| Harvey Ames | Episode: "Silent Night" |
| rowspan="4" | 2009
| This Might Hurt | Brad Maynard | Television film |
| Monk
| Boom Boom | Episode: "Mr. Monk and the UFO" |
| Scare Tactics
| Eric the Paranormal Guy | Episode: "28 Minutes Later" |
| Nip/Tuck
| Wesley Clovis | Episode: "Wesley Clovis" |
| 2009–2020
| Cameron Tucker | Main role |
| 2010
| Himself | 1 episode |
| 2011
| American Horror Story: Murder House | Derrick | Episode: "Piggy Piggy" |
| 2013–2018
| Minimus (voice) | 16 episodes |
| 2014
| rowspan="3" | Himself | Episode: "Hansel & Gretel Playdate" |
| 2015
| 2 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| Blue Peter{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/d7tcm5/blue-peter--episode-4915 |title=Blue Peter - what time is it on TV? Episode 4915 Series 0 cast list and preview |publisher=Radiotimes.com |access-date=July 7, 2016 |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819015208/http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/d7tcm5/blue-peter--episode-4915 |url-status=dead }} | Episode: "4915" |
| Confirmation
| Television film |
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| rowspan="5" | Himself | "Episode Seven" |
| The Toy Box
| 16 episodes |
| 2019
| What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage | Episode: "Neighbor" |
| rowspan="2" | 2020
| Guest Judge (season 15) |
| Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
| Episode: "In The Hot Seat: Eric Stonestreet and Will Forte" |
| 2021
| Harley Horns (voice) | Episode: "A Roar Is Born" |
| 2022
| Himself | Main role |
| rowspan="2" | 2023
| Ian | 2 episodes |
| The Santa Clauses
| Magnus Antas / Mad Santa | Main role (season 2) |
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Song !Artist !Notes |
| 2014
|"Tacky" | |
| 2020
|"Stuck with U" |
= Specials =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 2013
|TSN: The Hangover |Nice Guy Actor Who Got Suckered Into This Movie |Cameo |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cci}}
- {{IMDb name|832314}}
{{EmmyAward ComedySupportingActor 2001-2025}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stonestreet, Eric}}
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American people of German descent
Category:American LGBTQ rights activists
Category:Kansas State University alumni
Category:Male actors from Kansas
Category:Male actors from Kansas City, Kansas