Rico Rodriguez talks about being tricked by Sofia Vergara on Modern Family set, sharing details in a recent conversation with Jesse Tyler Ferguson about behind-the-scenes moments during the show‘s long run on ABC. Rodriguez explained how his close working relationship with Vergara often led him into situations that amusingly blurred the line between their characters and real life.
How Rico Rodriguez Became the Real-Life Manny On Set
Rodriguez, recognized for his portrayal of Manny, spoke on Ferguson’s podcast “Dinner’s On Me” about the memorable interactions with his on-screen mother, Gloria, played by Sofia Vergara. From day one, Rodriguez made it a habit to thoroughly learn not just his own lines but also the lines of his colleagues, including Vergara’s.
He recalled how Sofia Vergara, known for her tendency to improvise during scenes, would often rely on him to keep scripts on track when filming. He shared,
“It was so funny because, like, I always would be with Sofia. And, you know, I mean, it’s very well known how Sofia, she sometimes goes off the rails,”
—Rico Rodriguez, Actor. He added,
“And so she would go off the rails and then she would go, ‘Rico, what’s my line?’”
—Rico Rodriguez, Actor. Rodriguez often found himself helping her remember her lines, creating a dynamic that reflected their Modern Family characters beyond the screen.
The Moment Sofia Vergara “Played” Rico Rodriguez
The actor described a specific situation when he realized he had been “played” by Vergara on set. According to Rodriguez, Vergara would sometimes arrive late to table reads. Out of kindness, he once decided to mark her script with notes in the same manner she typically prepared it.
“I love Sofia, but I, I got played. I got played by Sofia,”
—Rico Rodriguez, Actor. He continued,
“So one time, being the nice person that I am, Sofia was late to the table read, and I was like, ‘I know how she marks her lines on her script’. So I was like, ‘you know what? Let me be nice and and let me mark her script for her.’”
—Rico Rodriguez, Actor.
The next week, even though Vergara was on time, she expected him to prepare her script again.
“So she gets there, and she’s like, ‘Oh, thank you. Thank you, Rico.’ And touches my cheeks and whatever. And then the next week, she’s on time. So I sit down. I’m marking my sides, and then we start the read, and it comes to Sofia and she goes, ‘Rico, you didn’t mark my script.’ I go, ‘What? I didn’t know I was supposed to. I did it one time because I was nice!’”
—Rico Rodriguez, Actor.
Life Imitates Art for Rodriguez and Vergara
The playful interaction felt as if Rodriguez was truly living out his role as Manny, always there to support his onscreen mother. He remembered a moment during a table read when Vergara handed him her script, expecting him to prepare it before her next lines.
“I was literally Manny in that point helping out Sofia. But, you know, I love Sofia, so I had no problem doing it,”
—Rico Rodriguez, Actor.
Such stories, shared on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast, offer a candid look at how Rodriguez, Vergara, and their Modern Family colleagues built tight-knit relationships that occasionally made the show’s fictional dynamics a reality off-camera. Rodriguez’s anecdotes reveal the lighthearted energy and supportive atmosphere that stars like Eric McCandless, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Sofía Vergara cultivated during their time together at ABC.
The Ongoing Impact of Modern Family’s On-Set Camaraderie
Elsewhere in his chat with Ferguson, Rodriguez discussed different aspects of his role and early career, including the guidance he received from more experienced actors and the surprises he encountered along the way, such as learning about his actual earnings after the show‘s success. These behind-the-scenes experiences underline the influence of trusted relationships among cast members and the playful spirit that defined the long-running series.
Fans of Modern Family, and especially those interested in stories about Rico Rodriguez and Sofia Vergara’s on-set dynamic, continue to find inspiration in the way the cast translated their genuine bonds into unforgettable performances. The lively anecdotes shared give audiences a fresh perspective on the real-life relationships that helped shape one of television’s beloved families, and hint that the legacy of their camaraderie will last well beyond the years at ABC.
