- published: 20 May 2014
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Eric Allen Stonestreet (born September 9, 1971) is an American actor, best known for portraying Cameron Tucker on the ABC comedy series Modern Family. He has received critical acclaim for this performance, including two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and a further three nominations.
Stonestreet was born in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Jamey Anne (née Ball) and Vincent Anthony "Vince" Stonestreet. During his childhood, he wanted to become a clown. At age nine, he created an auguste clown character named Fizbo, whom he has periodically brought back, including in episodes of Modern Family. He is a graduate of Piper High School and Kansas State University (1996). He spent two years doing plays and studying improv at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, Illinois, then moved to Los Angeles, California and began his professional acting career. He was also a member of Kansas State's Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
Stonestreet plays Cameron Tucker on Modern Family on ABC. He is also notable for his role as Ronnie Litre on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Additionally, he has appeared on such television shows as Dharma & Greg, Malcolm in the Middle, The Mentalist, Party of Five, Spin City, ER, The West Wing, Pushing Daisies, Greg the Bunny, Providence, Close to Home, Crossing Jordan, Bones, Monk, NCIS, American Horror Story, and Nip/Tuck. Early on in his career, Stonestreet was featured in Northwestern University's 1996 Football TV commercial campaign as the "purple pride guy." In 2008, he played a private security firm employee and killer in an episode of NCIS entitled "Silent Night." In 2009, Stonestreet appeared on Nip/Tuck as a criminal sentenced to death for the alleged killing of a young girl.