From Being an Ivy League Graduate to Learning to Parent on 'Modern Family': 5 Things You Don't Know About Julie Bowen
1. Bowen Is an Ivy League Graduate
Before becoming an actress, Bowen attended Brown University, where she majored in Italian Renaissance studies. "I lived in Florence for a year, and it was magnificent," she recalled. "I was 20 years old, I had long blonde hair and I didn't pay for anything. It was all red wine and pasta. though there was a lot of red wine and pasta. It was actually very challenging too."
2. Exercise Keeps Bowen Sane
"I do like running but for my mental health, mainly. I used to do a lot of yoga, but it's very time-consuming. Yoga instructors, I have found have a very loose relationship with the Western clock," Bowen said.
3. Bowen's New Role Is Crazy
Bowen stars in Peacock's scary new series Hysteria! about the "Satanic Panic" of the 1980's. "It's more of a psychological thriller," she explained. "By the end of the first episode, you're not sure and I wasn't sure, if my character was sane or insane. It's fun."
4. Bowen Learned How to Parent on 'Modern Family'
"I was a mom to older kids on TV before I was a mom to older kids in real life," Bowen, who shares three teenage sons with her ex-Scott Phillips. "So if anything, my character [Claire] kind of helped me. I realized, oh this is all a work in progress."
5. Bowen Loves Working With Adam Sandler
"It's fantastic," Bowen, who recently filmed the 2025 film Happy Gilmore 2 with Adam Sandler, said. "He is every bit as lovely now than he was then. We were so excited."