Who is Sofía Vergara?

Sofía Vergara (born July 10, 1972) is a Colombian American actress, recognized for her role in Modern Family (2009–20). Vergara's career began after a chance encounter with a photographer, which led her to modeling and hosting Colombian TV shows. After relocating to Miami in 1998, she appeared in American films and TV. Her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in Modern Family brought her widespread recognition, earning her four Emmy nominations. After Modern Family , she starred in movies such as Machete Kills (2013) and joined America’s Got Talent as a judge in 2020. In 2024, she starred in the miniseries Griselda , receiving an Emmy nomination for her performance. In addition to acting, Vergara is a businesswoman, having cofounded Latin World Entertainment in 1994. She became a U.S. citizen in 2014 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.

Where was Sofía Vergara born?

Sofía Vergara , the Colombian American actress, was born in Barranquilla, Colombia on July 10, 1972. At the age of 17, a chance encounter with a photographer on a Colombian beach led her to modeling and hosting Colombian TV shows. In 1998, after her brother's murder, she and her family moved to Miami. Vergara is perhaps best known for her role in the television show Modern Family (2009–2020). In 2014, she became a U.S. citizen, and in 2015, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

What is Sofía Vergara best known for?

Sofía Vergara (born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on July 10, 1972) is a Colombian American actress, perhaps best known for her role in the TV show Modern Family (2009–2020). Other notable credits include Meet the Browns (2008), Machete Kills (2013), and the TV miniseries Griselda (2024). Vergara was the breakout star of Modern Family , and she was nominated for an Emmy Award four times for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy (2010–2013). In 2020, she became a judge on America’s Got Talent . She also starred as Griselda Blanco in the miniseries Griselda (2024), for which she received an Emmy nomination.

How did Sofía Vergara become an actress in the United States?

Sofía Vergara's acting career in the United States began after she relocated to Miami following her brother's murder in Colombia in 1998. Before that, a chance encounter with a photographer at age 17 led her to modeling and hosting Colombian TV shows. In Miami, she hosted the Spanish-language game show A que no te atreves and started getting small roles in American films and TV shows. Her early roles, such as in Chasing Papi (2003), often highlighted her looks. She later had supporting roles in Four Brothers (2005) and Meet the Browns (2008). Vergara's breakthrough came in 2009 when she was cast as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the hit TV show Modern Family , which led to numerous film offers.

What are some awards and recognitions Sofía Vergara has received?

Sofía Vergara, the Colombian American actress, is best known for her role in Modern Family . Vergara's role in Modern Family earned her four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series (2010–2013). In 2015, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For her performance in Griselda (2024), Vergara received another Emmy nomination.

How has Sofía Vergara contributed to the representation of Latinas in American media?

Sofía Vergara, a Colombian American actress, has significantly contributed to the representation of Latinas in American media through her role in Modern Family (2009–2020), for which she received four Emmy nominations. Beyond acting, Vergara's influence extends to business. As a cofounder of Latin World Entertainment, she has helped grow it into a leading Hispanic media marketing company. Her success has challenged stereotypes and broadened the image of Latinas in the entertainment industry, proving her business acumen and solidifying her status as a savvy businesswoman. Vergara became a U.S. citizen in 2014, and in 2015, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sofía Vergara

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Sofia Vergara with long wavy hair, wearing a sparkling silver necklace, poses in front of a dark backdrop at the America's Got Talent Season 18 live show red carpet.

Quick Facts

Born:: July 10, 1972, Barranquilla, Colombia (age 54)

Married To:: Joe Gonzalez (1991–1993); Joe Manganiello (2015–present)

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "Grilled" (2006); "Bottom of the 9th" (2019); "The 24th Day" (2004); "Keeping Up with the Powerpuff Girls" (2016); "Big Trouble" (2002); "Amas de casa desesperadas" (2007); "Men in Trees" (2008); "Entourage" (2007); "Eve" (2004); "Chef" (2014); "Soul Plane" (2004); "My Wife and Kids" (2002); "Happy Feet Two" (2011); "The Con Is On" (2018); "Bent" (2018); "Modern Family" (2009–2020); "Dirty Sexy Money" (2007); "Madea Goes to Jail" (2009); "The Knights of Prosperity" (2007); "Fading Gigolo" (2013); "Rodney" (2004); "The Smurfs" (2011); "Lords of Dogtown" (2005); "Hot Pursuit" (2015); "Escape from Planet Earth" (2013); "Acapulco, cuerpo y alma" (1995); "Pledge This!" (2006); "El escándalo del mediodía" (2004); "New Year's Eve" (2011); "Meet the Browns" (2008); "Fuego en la sangre" (2008); "Machete Kills" (2013); "Four Brothers" (2005); "The Simpsons" (2016); "Family Guy" (2013–2017); "Wild Card" (2015); "The Female Brain" (2017); "Chasing Papi" (2003); "The Cleveland Show" (2011); "The Emoji Movie" (2017); "Hot Properties" (2005); "The Three Stooges" (2012)

See all related content

Sofía Vergara

Colombian American actress

Written by

Adam Augustyn

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Sep. 21, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who is Sofía Vergara?
Sofía Vergara (born July 10, 1972) is a Colombian American actress, recognized for her role in Modern Family (2009–20). Vergara's career began after a chance encounter with a photographer, which led her to modeling and hosting Colombian TV shows. After relocating to Miami in 1998, she appeared in American films and TV. Her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in Modern Family brought her widespread recognition, earning her four Emmy nominations.

After Modern Family, she starred in movies such as Machete Kills (2013) and joined America’s Got Talent as a judge in 2020. In 2024, she starred in the miniseries Griselda, receiving an Emmy nomination for her performance. In addition to acting, Vergara is a businesswoman, having cofounded Latin World Entertainment in 1994. She became a U.S. citizen in 2014 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.
1 Britannica Source
1. Sofía Vergara
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where was Sofía Vergara born?
Sofía Vergara, the Colombian American actress, was born in Barranquilla, Colombia on July 10, 1972. At the age of 17, a chance encounter with a photographer on a Colombian beach led her to modeling and hosting Colombian TV shows. In 1998, after her brother's murder, she and her family moved to Miami. Vergara is perhaps best known for her role in the television show Modern Family (2009–2020). In 2014, she became a U.S. citizen, and in 2015, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Barranquilla
2. Sofía Vergara
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What is Sofía Vergara best known for?
Sofía Vergara (born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on July 10, 1972) is a Colombian American actress, perhaps best known for her role in the TV show Modern Family (2009–2020). Other notable credits include Meet the Browns (2008), Machete Kills (2013), and the TV miniseries Griselda (2024). Vergara was the breakout star of Modern Family, and she was nominated for an Emmy Award four times for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy (2010–2013). In 2020, she became a judge on America’s Got Talent. She also starred as Griselda Blanco in the miniseries Griselda (2024), for which she received an Emmy nomination.
1 Britannica Source
1. Sofía Vergara
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Sofía Vergara become an actress in the United States?
Sofía Vergara's acting career in the United States began after she relocated to Miami following her brother's murder in Colombia in 1998. Before that, a chance encounter with a photographer at age 17 led her to modeling and hosting Colombian TV shows.

In Miami, she hosted the Spanish-language game show A que no te atreves and started getting small roles in American films and TV shows. Her early roles, such as in Chasing Papi (2003), often highlighted her looks. She later had supporting roles in Four Brothers (2005) and Meet the Browns (2008). Vergara's breakthrough came in 2009 when she was cast as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the hit TV show Modern Family, which led to numerous film offers.
1 Britannica Source
1. Sofía Vergara
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some awards and recognitions Sofía Vergara has received?
Sofía Vergara, the Colombian American actress, is best known for her role in Modern Family.

Vergara's role in Modern Family earned her four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series (2010–2013). In 2015, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For her performance in Griselda (2024), Vergara received another Emmy nomination.
1 Britannica Source
1. Sofía Vergara
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has Sofía Vergara contributed to the representation of Latinas in American media?
Sofía Vergara, a Colombian American actress, has significantly contributed to the representation of Latinas in American media through her role in Modern Family (2009–2020), for which she received four Emmy nominations.

Beyond acting, Vergara's influence extends to business. As a cofounder of Latin World Entertainment, she has helped grow it into a leading Hispanic media marketing company. Her success has challenged stereotypes and broadened the image of Latinas in the entertainment industry, proving her business acumen and solidifying her status as a savvy businesswoman.

Vergara became a U.S. citizen in 2014, and in 2015, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1 Britannica Source
1. Sofía Vergara
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Sofía Vergara (born July 10, 1972, Barranquilla, Colombia) is a Colombian American actress perhaps best known for her work on the television show Modern Family (2009–20). Her other notable credits include the movies Meet the Browns (2008) and Machette Kills (2013) and the TV miniseries Griselda (2024).

Vergara’s chance encounter with a photographer on a Colombian beach when she was 17 years old led her to abandon her plans for a career in dentistry to pursue modeling. In addition, she hosted Colombian TV shows until 1998, when her brother was murdered and her family relocated to Miami. There she hosted the Spanish-language game show A que no te atreves (“I Dare You”) and began landing small roles in American films and TV shows. She was one of the four principals of the romantic comedy Chasing Papi (2003), but the acting jobs she subsequently secured were smaller roles that primarily capitalized on her looks.

Vergara had supporting parts in the crime drama Four Brothers (2005) and the comedy Meet the Browns (2008) before she appeared in the role of Mama Morton in the Broadway revival of Chicago in 2009. That same year Vergara’s big break occurred when she joined the cast of Modern Family as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, the much-younger wife of a man with two children near her own age—a daughter with a typical nuclear family of her own and a gay son with a male partner and an adopted daughter. Gloria had a young son from a previous marriage as well. The escapades of the nontraditional family struck a chord with viewers, and the series was an immediate popular and critical hit. Vergara was nominated for an Emmy Award four times for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy (2010–13). After 11 seasons, Modern Family ended in 2020.

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood

Britannica Quiz

Pop Culture Quiz

Vergara was the breakout star of the show, and more film offers followed, with her appearing in such movies as Machete Kills (2013), Hot Pursuit (2015), and Bottom of the 9th (2019); the latter starred her husband, Joe Manganiello (married 2015; divorced 2024). In addition, Vergara lent her voice to the animated comedy The Emoji Movie (2017). In 2020 she joined the reality-competition show America’s Got Talent as a judge. She later starred as cocaine trafficker Griselda Blanco in the miniseries Griselda (2024). For her performance, Vergara received an Emmy nomination.

Moreover, Vergara became a prevalent subject of celebrity blogs and tabloids as the rare female sex symbol to burst onto the international stage in her late 30s. Vergara also proved that she was a savvy businesswoman as she capitalized on her omnipresent celebrity status to grow Latin World Entertainment—a talent-management firm that she cofounded in 1994—into one of the most-powerful Hispanic media marketing companies in the world.

In 2014 Vergara became a U.S. citizen. The following year she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Adam Augustyn The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Sofía Vergara

Thank you for signing up!