Ariel Winter was only 11 years old when she was cast as Alex Dunphy, and was always accompanied on set by her mother. According to cast and crew, the mother was always talking down to her about her weight and performance, up to the point where the producers wanted her banned from the set. In 2012, Winter was removed from her mother's home following allegations of physical and emotional abuse, and in 2016, Winter herself announced that she was legally emancipated from her parents.
All the actors and actresses made a pact since the first season to always submit themselves to awards ceremonies in supporting roles, never leading.
The cast have all declared that winning awards as an ensemble was much more satisfying than winning any individual awards. For them, it reiterated that they were all of equal importance to the success of the show, and that it praised the entire crew in addition.
The cast and crew frequently spend time with each other outside of work, a rarity in show business. Ty Burrell and Nolan Gould take vacations together almost every summer.