‘Modern Family’ star Eric Stonestreet says he had to deal with people who are not ‘real’ in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Eric Stonestreet, known for his iconic role as Cameron Tucker on 'Modern Family', recently reflected on his departure from Hollywood and his return to his roots in Kansas City.

After spending over a decade working on the hit sitcom, the actor decided to leave Los Angeles behind, opting for a more grounded lifestyle in the Midwest.

Eric Stonestreet shares his Hollywood experience

Speaking on 'In Depth with Graham Bensinger', Eric Stonestreet shared candid thoughts about the contrast between people in Hollywood and those back home in Kansas City.

"What I realized it does is it highlights everything great about our business, the entertainment business," he said.

"And it highlights all the douchebaggery of our business. It amplifies it. Because I’m here, I’m dealing with people from here… I’m going into the store and having all these authentic, real moments."

Stonestreet explained how the genuine interactions he experiences in Kansas City stand in stark contrast to some of the superficiality he encountered in Los Angeles.

"Then I go to Hollywood… and you’re reminded of some of the types of people that you deal with," he continued.

Despite the less-than-ideal aspects of Hollywood, the actor acknowledged there were still perks of living there.

"But then you’re also offered fruit on a big board," he added humorously.

"'Would you like some lychee and kiwi, sir?’ It’s like, oh, yeah, this is what’s great about Hollywood."

Eric Stonestreet opens up about scrapped 'Modern Family' spin-off

Eric Stonestreet starred on 'Modern Family' from 2009 until the show’s conclusion in 2020, alongside a star-studded cast that included Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Julie Bowen, and Ty Burrell.

His portrayal of the lovable and eccentric Cam earned him two Emmy Awards, cementing his place in television history.

When asked about the possibility of a 'Modern Family' spin-off, Stonestreet revealed that the idea was once on the table but ultimately didn’t move forward.

"I don’t think it’s potential anymore," he admitted.

"Well, they had their chance. Chris Lloyd and a couple of the writers wrote a really great script that spun Jesse and I off in our life in Missouri, and they said, ‘No'."

"They just said, ‘We don’t want to do it'."

The rejection, Stonestreet confessed, wasn’t easy to take. "I think it hurt Jesse and I’s feelings," he said, referring to his co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who played Cam’s husband, Mitchell Pritchett.

"I think it hurt Chris Lloyd’s feelings."

Despite the disappointment, Stonestreet seems to have found peace with the outcome as he embraces life outside the Hollywood bubble.

In the years since 'Modern Family' ended on April 8, 2020, Stonestreet has kept busy with other projects, including his role in 'The Santa Clauses'.

But for now, the actor seems content to enjoy the balance between his successful career and the quieter, more authentic moments he enjoys in Kansas City.