Julie Bowen

Julie Bowen (born Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer; March 3, 1970) is an American actress. She is best known as Claire Dunphy in ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020), for which she received widespread critical acclaim, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Bowen also starred as Roxanne Please in NBC medical drama series ER (1998–1999), Carol Vessey in the NBC comedy-drama series Ed (2000–2004), and Denise Bauer in the ABC legal drama series Boston Legal (2005–2007), and recurred as Sarah Shephard in the ABC drama series Lost (2005–2007).

Bowen has appeared in many films, such as Happy Gilmore (1996), Multiplicity (1996), Joe Somebody (2001), Horrible Bosses (2011), Life of the Party (2018), Hubie Halloween (2020), The Fallout (2021), Totally Killer (2023), and Happy Gilmore 2 (2025).

Early life Bowen was born on March 3, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland, the second of three daughters of Suzanne Luetkemeyer (née Frey) and John Alexander Luetkemeyer Jr., a commercial real estate developer and son of John Luetkemeyer and Anne McLanahan. She is the sister of infectious disease specialist Annie Luetkemeyer and designer Molly Luetkemeyer. Bowen is of German descent.

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.

In November 2021, Bowen's production company, Bowen & Sons, entered a first-look deal at Universal Television.

In March 2023, Prom Pact, a movie produced by Bowen, was released on the Disney Channel and Disney+ in the United States.

Personal life 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. In February 2018, she filed for divorce from Phillips and cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce. It was finalized on September 14, 2018.

She is a self-described "low Protestant".

Health Bowen has the heart condition bradycardia meaning her regular heart rate is slower than normal. As a result, she has had a pacemaker implant since her early twenties.

Bowen has also publicly discussed her experience with chronic dry eye, a progressive condition she has managed for approximately two decades. She has also served as a spokeswoman for the prescription eye drop Xiidra, to help manage her symptoms.

Political Views 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.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1996 Confessions of a Sleep Addict P.J. Happy Gilmore Virginia Venit Multiplicity Robin 1997 An American Werewolf in Paris Amy Finch 2001 You're Killing Me Jamie Quinn Amy's Orgasm Nikki Venus and Mars Lisa Joe Somebody Meg Harper 2002 Stella Shorts 1998–2002 Mother Nature Short films 2005 Kids in America Principal Donna Weller Partner(s) Katherine 2007 Sex and Death 101 Fiona Wormwood 2010 Crazy on the Outside Christy 2011 Jumping the Broom Amy Horrible Bosses Rhonda Harken 2012 Conception Tiffany Knife Fight Peaches O'Dell 2013 Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace Dr. Devon Albright (voice) Direct-to-video film 2014 Planes: Fire & Rescue Lil' Dipper (voice) 2018 Life of the Party Marcie Strong 2020 Hubie Halloween Violet Valentine 2021 The Fallout Patricia Cavell Mixtape Gail Moody 2023 Prom Pact Executive producer Totally Killer Pam Hughes 2025 Happy Gilmore 2 Virginia Venit Gilmore

Television Year Title Role Notes 1992 Loving Steffy 1 episode 1993 Lifestories: Families in Crisis Chris Episode: "No Visible Bruises: The Kate Koestner Story" Class of '96 Kristie Lewis Episode: "Educating David" Acapulco H.E.A.T. Danielle Perkins Episode: "Code Name: Body Double" 1994 Runaway Daughters Angie Gordon Television film Where Are My Children? Kirstie 1995 Extreme Andie McDermott Recurring role 1996 Party of Five Shelley Episode: "Unfair Advantage" Strange Luck Leigh Anne Episode: "Healing Hands" 1998 Three Amanda Webb 2 episodes 1998–1999 ER Roxanne Please Recurring role (season 5) 1999 The Last Man on Planet Earth Hope Chayse Television film 2000 Oh Baby Nikky 2 episodes Dawson's Creek Aunt Gwen Episode: "Stolen Kisses" 2000–2004 Ed Carol Vessey Main role 2005 Jake in Progress Brooke 4 episodes 2005–2007 Lost Sarah Shephard Recurring role (season 1–3) 2005–2008 Boston Legal Denise Bauer Main role (season 2–3); guest role (season 5) 2007 Wainy Days Cheryl Episode: "Tough Guy" 2008 Weeds Lisa Ferris Recurring role (season 4) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Gwen Sibert Episode: "Trials" 2009 True Jackson, VP Claire Underwood Episode: "True Takes Iceland" Monk Marilyn Brody Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Bully" 2009–2020 Modern Family Claire Dunphy Main role 2011 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Marion Spartan (voice) Episode: "Attack of the Headless Horror" 2014 Family Guy Claire Dunphy (voice) 2 episodes2017Herself (voice) 2015 Childrens Hospital First Lady Episode: "Codename: Jennifer" 2016 Better Things Herself Episode: "Sam/Pilot" 2017–2020 Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure Queen Arianna (voice) Main role 2017 MasterChef Junior Herself Episode: "A Presidential Mystery Box" Who Do You Think You Are Episode: "Julie Bowen" The Mindy Project Daisy Episode: "Leo's Girlfriend" 2018 LA to Vegas Gwen (voice) Episode: "The Affair" 2019 DuckTales Lieutenant Penumbra (voice) Recurring role (season 2 & 3) 2011 Modern Family (episode: "Strangers on a Treadmill") 2012 Modern Family (episode: "Go Bullfrogs!") 2013 Modern Family (episode: "My Hero") 2014 Modern Family (episode: "The Feud") 2015 Modern Family (episode: "Valentine's Day 4: Twisted Sister") Screen Actors Guild Awards 2005 Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series Boston Legal 2006 2007 2008 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Weeds 2009 Modern Family (season 1) 2010 Modern Family (season 2) 2011 Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 3) Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series 2012 Modern Family (season 4) 2013 Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 5) Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series 2014 Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy Series Modern Family (season 6) Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series 2015 Modern Family (season 7) 2016 Modern Family (season 8)