From 2009 to 2020, Modern Family depicted the day-to-day familial dynamics of Jay Pritchett, his son Mitchell, his daughter Claire, and their respective families. The mockumentary lasted 11 years, and Modern Family invited fans to grow up with the cast. This intimacy caused viewers to fall in love with the Pritchett clan. However, some characters weren't as popular - at least not in the beginning.

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While some members of the family were immediately welcomed by the fans due to their charisma like Phil Dunphy and Gloria Delgado, others weren't as interesting or lovable when the show first started. Since Modern Family attempted to show real familial dynamics, some characters had to grow a lot before they became fan favorites.

10 DeDe Had To Die For People To Sympathize With Her

dede in modern family

DeDe Pritchett was a textbook narcissist. She was selfish, dramatic, and manipulative. From the moment she arrived, it became apparent why Claire and Mitchell didn't see her often. Her character, easily one of the worst parental figures in television, was killed off during the 10th season of Modern Family.

DeDe's death didn't necessarily redeem her. However, it made her less unlikeable. "Good Grief," the episode of her death, depicts Jay, Claire, and Mitchell as they cope with the news while making peace with who she was. The episode, like DeDe's time in Modern Family, ends on a hopeful note.

9 Ronaldo And Pepper Stopped Being Annoying

ronaldo and pepper in modern family

Originally Pepper Saltzman's assistant, Ronaldo became his boyfriend after they had a heart-to-heart about their feelings. Even though they often fought when working together, Pepper and Ronaldo made it work as one of Modern Family's favorite LGBTQ+ couples and adopted two kids, Lionel and Andrea.

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When Ronaldo and Pepper first appeared on the show, they were two-dimensional characters rooted in stereotypes and were snobby and annoying. However, as things with Pepper started to fall in the right place, they became a more wholesome couple. Pepper never stopped being arrogant, but he and Ronaldo gained depth as the seasons moved forward, which fans liked.

8 Joe Pritchett-Delgado Developed A Bubbly Personality

joe in modern family

The youngest member of the Pritchett bunch, Joe Fulgencio was born to Jay and Gloria in the fourth season of the show. Logically, he started as a baby. As the seasons passed, he grew up to be yet another important character in Modern Family, played by actor Jeremy Maguire.

Joe wasn't a dislikable character when he was a baby, but he obviously lacked personality. After season seven, he became as funny and chaotic as the rest of the family, even getting his own couch scenes. He then became a fan favorite.

7 Dylan Always Had Potential

dylan in modern family

Played by Reid Ewing, Dylan Marshall first appeared on Modern Family as Haley's boyfriend. He was an immature and reckless teenager who wanted to become a musician. Contrary to what Claire wanted, he actually ended up marrying Haley. He became a more centered adult, albeit still as random as always.

In the first season, Dylan had no concerns about his future. However, his feelings for Haley were always honest. The only thing missing was for him to find a path in life, which he did. By the end of Modern Family, he was still as naive as always, but his responsibility to Haley and their kids warmed the viewers' hearts.

6 Lily Grew Up To Be A Sassy Fan Favorite

lily in modern family

Lily Tucker-Pritchett is the daughter of Mitchell and Cam, who they adopted from Vietnam when she was a baby. In the first two seasons, she was only a baby. However, from season three, she became a snarky but fun kid who eventually grew up to be a sassy teenager.

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Most Modern Family fans, whether they're adults or teenagers, love Lily's sassy remarks and sarcastic owns. She's funny, cute, and incredibly smart. As she grows up, these qualities are only enhanced. Additionally, Lily often feels like the only one aware of the family's dysfunctional dynamic, acting like a meta character to whom viewers can relate.

5 Cam Definitely Toned It Down

Cam in Modern Family

Cameron Tucker is Mitchell's husband as well as Lily and Rexford Tucker-Pritchett's dad. He's a very theatrical man with a big personality who loves to be the center of attention. This flare for dramatics, mixed with his inability to accept criticism, makes him clash with his husband Mitchell. It also makes him one of the most disliked characters on TV.

Regardless of this, Cameron is also a very empathetic man who is always willing to go the extra mile to help others. While his theatrical side prevails in the first seasons, his caring personality is more common later on in the show. This turned him into a more lovable character.

4 Mitchell Learned To Let Go Sometimes

mitchell in modern family

Jay and DeDe's son, Claire's brother, and Cam's husband, Mitchell Pritchett is a high-strung and sarcastic man. Contrary to his husband Cam, Mitchell is demure and hates drawing attention to himself. Given this, he often feels embarrassed by Cam's flamboyant personality.

Cam and Mitch's dynamic in the earlier seasons of Modern Family is particularly uncomfortable. Often, viewers can't help but wonder why they are together if they make one of the worst couples on TV. However, they learn from each other and Mitchell becomes more relaxed. This obviously changes their dynamic for the better.

3 Haley Got Her Act Together By The End Of The Show

Haley in Modern Family

The oldest Dunphy sibling started Modern Family as an irresponsible, rude, and vain teenage girl. She was constantly the butt of the jokes, but this changed by the fourth season. After she messed up her chance to go to college, Haley changed her attitude, became more proactive, and started chasing her dream to have a fashion career.

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Haley never stopped being the center of "dumb blonde" jokes in her household (especially because she actually dyed her hair blonde). However, she became a more centered and independent woman with a clear goal in life. Even if her pregnancy put those plans on hold for a while, fans were definitely rooting for Haley to succeed.

2 Claire's Neurosis Started To Make Sense Later On In Modern Family

claire in modern family

Claire Dunphy is Phil's wife and Haley, Alex, and Luke's mom. She's a strong-minded woman who often comes across as controlling. Contrary to Phil, who is the "fun dad," she's the "lame mom." This makes her the least favorite Dunphy, even for the audience.

Although Claire has a controlling approach to motherhood, it becomes apparent that her methods are just her way of showing love. What's more, she's willing to learn from her mistakes and change. As the show moves forward, Claire becomes less of a nag and more of a relatable woman who is always concerned about her family. All in all, Claire is an excellent mom. This change makes her more relatable, especially to mothers in the audience.

1 Jay Was Always A Softie, But Fans Couldn't See It In Earlier Seasons

Jay in Modern Family talking to the camera

Jay Pritchett is the patriarch of the Pritchett family. The owner of Pritchett's Closets And Blinds and a Vietnam veteran, Jay is a tough man who has a hard time showing his feelings. In fact, he actively avoids doing it. Unfortunately for him, his family always finds a way to crack his hard exterior.

As Modern Family moves forward, Jay becomes more lovable. While he's mostly a grumpy grandpa in the first seasons, he soon shows that he's more than that. By embracing new things in life out of love for his family (even though leaving his comfort zone makes him feel defensive), Jay earned his place in fans' hearts.