K-State alumnus finds unexpected career as television star

Growing up on a pig farm near Kansas City, Kan., Eric Stonestreet had no idea he would end up as a TV star. However, as a kid, he did hope to become a clown, and he did not end up too far off.

Stonestreet, 1995 alumnus, continues to clown around, but now on television. He plays a nontraditional father on ABC's sitcom, "Modern Family."

Though he describes this role as "my favorite job I've ever had; really a dream-come-true role," the road from K-State to Los Angeles was not always straight, and was full of many surprises.

When he first came to K-State, Stonestreet had no intention of acting. In fact, he aimed to become a prison administrator.

Fortunately for Stonestreet's future, his best friend Paul helped him change the path of his life.

"He noticed I was kind of in a funk and not feeling too good about things, just sort of down," Stonestreet said.

So, Paul pushed Stonestreet back into comedy the only way he knew how: He dared him to audition for the theater.

"I said, ‘Well, I'll audition for a play if you do,' so we both did it," Stonestreet said.

Stonestreet was selected for the very smallest role, but his passion for comedy was reignited, and soon after, he switched his major to theater.

Though Stonestreet started off with a minute part, Marci Maullar, managing director of KSU Theatre, said she saw him going far from the get-go.

"Well, you've got to start somewhere, right?" Maullar said. "Actually, I thought he had talent and performed really well. I could see him going on to play a really big comedy part; definitely comedy. He's a natural at it."

Charlotte MacFarland, associate professor of communication studies, theater and dance, described Stonestreet's acting ability as "fabulous, and funny and witty; just wonderful. He's brilliant."

However, MacFarland said her strongest memories of Stonestreet involve the mischief and hilarity he displayed during class.

"I'm not sure how many of these I can even tell; he is pretty funny," she said. "All of the students would laugh because he does this terrific impersonation of me, which he would very happily share with other students any time they asked. He had a lot of fun with faculty, I guess you could say."

Despite Stonestreet's "brilliant" acting ability, MacFarland said Stonestreet worked very hard to get to the place he is today.

"I'm really happy when somebody who's nice, who's worked hard, who's treated people beautifully, is successful, because he really deserves it," she said. "I'm just really proud for him that he's finally gotten the success he's always deserved."

So, now that Stonestreet has achieved success in the entertainment business, what's next?

Stonestreet said his next career goal deals not with pleasing directors and acting agents, but rather with finding favor from the students of his alma mater.

"I want all the K-State students to follow me on Twitter; it's @ericstonestreet," Stonestreet said. "I expect my numbers to grow by 10,000 people on the day this article comes out."

Modern Family airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time. For more information on the show, visit abc.go.com/shows/modern-family.