Ariel Winter Workman (born January 28, 1998) is an American actress. She is best known for playing Alex Dunphy in the ABC sitcom Modern Family, for which she and her several costars won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series four consecutive times from 2010 to 2013.

Ariel Winter
Winter in March 2015
Born
Ariel Winter Workman

(1998-01-28) January 28, 1998 (age 26)
OccupationActress
Years active2002–present
Known forAlex Dunphy in Modern Family
Relatives
AwardsScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Modern Family 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Early life

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Ariel Winter Workman was born on January 28, 1998, in Fairfax, Virginia.[1] She is the daughter of Chrisoula (née Batistas) and Glenn Workman. Through her mother, she is of Greek descent, and through her father, of German descent.[2] She is the younger sister of actors Shanelle Workman and Jimmy Workman.[3][4][5]

Career

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Winter obtained her first entertainment industry job in a Cool Whip commercial advertisement in 2002 when she was four years old.[6] She had her first television role in an episode of Listen Up, and followed it with appearances in a variety of television shows such as Freddie, Monk, Bones, and ER.

She voiced the character of Gretchen in the animated Disney Channel series Phineas and Ferb before winning the regular role of Alex Dunphy in the ABC series Modern Family, which premiered in 2009 and ended in 2020. She has continued to work in TV animation, including providing the voice of Marina on Disney Junior's Jake and the Never Land Pirates. In 2012, Winter was cast as the voice of Sofia, the lead character in a then-new Disney animated franchise Sofia the First.[7] The series premiered in January 2013 on Disney Junior.

 
Winter at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2016

In 2014, she voiced Penny Peterson, Sherman's adversary turned friend in the DreamWorks Animation film Mr. Peabody and Sherman. She also lent her voice to characters in the animated films, Disney's Bambi II and Blue Sky's Ice Age: The Meltdown.

Winter has appeared in feature films, most notably in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Speed Racer, Duress, and Opposite Day. She also appeared on the Halloween-themed TV film Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred. For her leading role in the film The Chaperone, she was nominated at the Young Artist Awards 2012 as "Best Actress in a Motion Picture".[8]

Personal life

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In 2012, Winter's sister Shanelle Workman filed to become her guardian, alleging that their mother had been physically and emotionally abusive.[9] In 2014, the court awarded guardianship to Shanelle Workman and permanently removed Winter from her mother's guardianship.[10] Their mother later released a statement saying that "the family has moved beyond the conflict".[10] In 2015, when she was 17 years old, Winter declared on Twitter that she was officially emancipated.[11][12]

In 2015, Winter underwent breast reduction surgery.[13][14] In a 2016 interview with ABC News Nightline, Winter explained the awkwardness of developing at 12 years old in the public eye, combined with the back pain that rendered her unable to stand up straight at times, was "really ostracizing and excruciatingly painful."[14][15][16] Describing the improvement that the surgery had on her both physically and psychologically, she told Glamour magazine that it was "amazing to finally feel right. This is how I was supposed to be."[14] At the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Winter gained media attention for wearing a Romona Kaveza gown[17] that revealed her surgical scars. She was shocked after walking down the red carpet to see the photos the next day and "every headline be about my cleavage and -- not about my talent."[16] Winter later tweeted: "Guys there is a reason I didn't make an effort to cover up my scars! They are part of me and I'm not ashamed of them at all."[17]

Winter attended Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles, graduating in June 2016.[18] She was accepted to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and scheduled to begin there in the fall quarter of 2016.[19] However, she later confirmed that she planned to attend UCLA in fall 2017. On her decision to attend college, she explained, "You gotta have something else you can do. I've always been interested in law, so I think it'll definitely be something that I'll love to do and also go to school for."[20] In 2018, Winter took an indefinite hiatus from UCLA to focus on her work.[citation needed]

Winter is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.[21]

She dated Canadian actor Levi Meaden for three years; they split in 2019.[22] The couple lived together in Winter’s 3,200-square-foot home in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles.[23] Since 2020, she has been in a relationship with actor Luke Benward.[24] In 2022, Winter moved from Southern California to Nashville, Tennessee.[25][26]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Young Harmony Faith Lane
2006 Curious George Kid (voice)[27]
Bambi II Thumper's Sister (voice)[27]
Ice Age: The Meltdown Various characters (voice)
2008 One Missed Call Ellie Layton
Speed Racer Young Trixie
Horton Hears a Who! Various characters (voice)
2009 Tales from the Catholic Church of Elvis! Little Girl
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete Marlene Wallace (voice)
Life Is Hot in Cracktown Suzie
Duress Sarah Barnett
Opposite Day Carla Benson
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Various characters (voice)
Afro Samurai: Resurrection Young Sio (voice)
2010 Killers Sadie
Nic & Tristan Go Mega Dega Lisa
DC Showcase: Green Arrow Princess Perdita (voice)
2011 The Chaperone Sally
Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension Gretchen (voice)
Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred Talia
2012 Excision Grace
Tad, The Lost Explorer Sarah Lavrof (voice)
ParaNorman Blithe Hollow Kid (voice) [27]
Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess Sofia Voice, television film
2012–2013 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Carrie Kelley / Robin (voice) Direct-to-video[27]
2013 Dora the Explorer and the Destiny Medallion Dora Short film
Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright Chrissy Damon (voice) Direct-to-video[27]
Sofia the First: The Floating Palace Sofia Voice, television film
Tad, The Lost Explorer Sara Lavrof
2014 Mr. Peabody & Sherman Penny Peterson (voice)
2015 Safelight Kate
2016 Elena and the Secret of Avalor Sofia Voice, television film
2017 Smurfs: The Lost Village Smurf Lily (voice)
The Last Movie Star Lil McDougal

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Listen Up Little Girl Episode: "Last Vegas"
Tickle-U Pipoca Voice
Freddie Hobo Episode: "Halloween"
2006 Monk Donna Cain Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Astronaut"
So Notorious Little Tori 5 episodes
Jericho Julie Episode: "Pilot"
Bones Liza Episode: "The Girl with the Curl"
Nip/Tuck Kid Episode: "Reefer"
2007 Crossing Jordan Gwen Episode: "Faith"
Shorty McShorts' Shorts Taffy Voice, episode: "Flip-Flopped"
Criminal Minds Katie Jacobs Episode: "Seven Seconds"
2008 Ghost Whisperer Natalie Episode: "Imaginary Friends and Enemies"
2008–2015 Phineas and Ferb Gretchen Voice, recurring role[27]
2009 ER Lucy Moore 5 episodes
The Penguins of Madagascar Little Girl Voice, episode: "What Goes Around / Mask of the Raccoon"
2009–2020 Modern Family Alex Dunphy Main role; 216 episodes
2011 WWE Raw Herself Guest star (airdate: February 14)
The Haunting Hour: The Series Jenny Episode: "Fear Never Knocks"
2011–2015 Jake and the Never Land Pirates Marina Voice, 22 episodes
2011,
2013
Minnie's Bow-Toons Roxie Squirrel Voice, 2 episodes
2012 The Haunting Hour: The Series Gracie Episode: "Headshot"
Young Justice Queen Perdita Voice, episode: "Coldhearted"[27]
2013–2018 Sofia the First Sofia Voice, lead role[27]
2016 Milo Murphy's Law Jackie Voice, episode: "The Wilder West"[27]
2019 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Raegan James Episode: "The Darkest Journey Home"[28]
Robot Chicken Various characters Voice, episode: "Ginger Hill in: Bursting Pipes"
2020 Elena of Avalor Sofia Voice, episode: "Coronation Day"
2023 Stars on Mars Herself Contestant
Firebuds Calamity Train Voice, episode: "Annie Spokely"
2023–2024 Star Trek: Lower Decks D'Erika Tendi Voice, recurring role
2026 Sofia the First: Royal Magic Sofia Voice, lead role[29]

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Young Kairi [27]
2012 Final Fantasy XIII-2 Mog [27]
Guild Wars 2 Cassie
2014 Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Young Kairi Archival footage
2015 Final Fantasy Type-0 HD Moogle [27]
2020 Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory Young Kairi Archival footage[27]
2022 The Quarry Abigail "Abi" Blyg Voice, motion-capture and likeness[27]

Awards and nominations

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Screen Actors Guild Awards

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Year Category Nominated work Result
2009 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family
(shared with Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Sarah Hyland, Rico Rodriguez, and Nolan Gould)
Nominated
2010 Won
2011 Won
2012 Won
2013 Won
2014 Nominated
2015 Nominated
2016 Nominated

Young Artist Awards

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Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2010 Outstanding Young Ensemble in a TV Series Modern Family Won [30]
2011 Nominated [31]
2012 Best Leading Young Actress in a Feature Film The Chaperone Nominated [8]

References

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  1. ^ Bacardi, Francesca (28 January 2015). "Ariel Winter Celebrates Her Birthday With Friends, a Cake and a Wish!". E!. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  2. ^ Winter, Ariel [@arielwinter1] (8 April 2018). "It's not. My dad is German and my mom is Greek" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 June 2019 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Rowley, Alison (10 November 2012). "Ariel Winter's grandfather: 'I never witnessed any abuse'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012.
  4. ^ Lee, Ken (12 December 2012). "Ariel Winter to Stay with Sister, Dad to Oversee Estate". People. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Helen G. Batistas Obituary". The Washington Post via Legacy.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  6. ^ "It's Evening in America". Vanity Fair, May 2012, p. 159.
  7. ^ Hill, Jim. "Ariel Winter Looks Ahead, Prepares for Life After Modern Family and Sofia the First". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  8. ^ a b "33rd Annual Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Modern Family star Ariel Winter in custody battle". BBC News. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  10. ^ a b McCartney, Anthony (5 May 2014). "Family settles guardianship dispute over 'Modern Family' teen actress Ariel Winter". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015.
  11. ^ Corriston, Michele (15 May 2015). "Modern Family's Ariel Winter Is Emancipated, Thanks 'Amazing Support System'". People. Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Ariel Winter Wins Legal Emancipation From Mother". HuffPost. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  13. ^ Yagoda, Maria (12 August 2015). "Ariel Winter Explains Decision to Undergo Breast Reduction Surgery". People. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  14. ^ a b c Radloff, Jessica (12 August 2015). "Ariel Winter Breast Reduction Surgery Exclusive Interview". Glamour. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  15. ^ Van De Wall, Virginia (24 September 2021). "Celebs Who Had Breast Reductions". Life&Style. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  16. ^ a b Singh, Natasha (1 March 2016). "'Modern Family' Star Ariel Winter Opens Up on Breast Reduction Surgery". ABC Nightline. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  17. ^ a b Saad, Nardine (2 February 2016). "Ariel Winter 'not ashamed' to show her breast-reduction scars on SAG red carpet". LA Times. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Ariel Winter and Elle Fanning graduate high school". HELLO!. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  19. ^ "Famous Celebrity Ariel Winter has committed to UCLA". University Prime Time. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  20. ^ Martin, Annie (28 April 2016). "'Modern Family' star Ariel Winter headed for UCLA". UPI.com. United Press International. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  21. ^ Donnelly, Erin (9 April 2018). "People are trying to shame Ariel Winter for wearing a short dress to church". Yahoo! Lifestyle. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Ariel Winter and Levi Meaden Have Reportedly Broken Up". Teen Vogue. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  23. ^ Chen, Joyce (11 May 2017). "Ariel Winter Is Not a Handy Homeowner". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Ariel Winter Calls Luke Benward Relationship 'Really Beautiful'". Entertainment Tonight. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  25. ^ Whitaker, Sterling (7 December 2022). "PICTURES: 'Modern Family' Star Ariel Winter Buys Stunning $2.9 Million Nashville Mansion". Taste of Country. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Ariel Winter Says She Left Los Angeles Because She Hated Having Her 'Space Invaded' by Paparazzi". Peoplemag. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Ariel Winter (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 8 October 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  28. ^ Harnick, Chris (30 July 2019). "SVU Books Ariel Winter for Season 21". E! Online. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  29. ^ "Disney Jr. Greenlights "Sofia the First: Royal Magic," Sequel to Emmy- and Humanitas-Winning Hit Series "Sofia the First"" (Press release). Disney Branded Television. 15 August 2024 – via The Futon Critic.
  30. ^ "31st Annual Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  31. ^ "32nd Annual Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
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