Julie Bowen

Bowen has appeared in many films, such as Happy Gilmore (1996), Multiplicity (1996), Joe Somebody (2001), Horrible Bosses (2011), Life of the Party (2018), Hubie Halloween (2020), The Fallout (2021), Totally Killer (2023), and Happy Gilmore 2 (2025).

Bowen was born on March 3, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland, the second of three daughters of Suzanne Luetkemeyer (née Frey) and John Alexander Luetkemeyer Jr., a commercial real estate developer and son of John Luetkemeyer and Anne McLanahan. She is the sister of infectious disease specialist Annie Luetkemeyer and designer Molly Luetkemeyer. Bowen is of German descent. Raised in suburban Ruxton-Riderwood, Maryland, Bowen first attended Calvert School, then Garrison Forest School, Roland Park Country School, and St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island. She attended Brown University, majoring in Italian Renaissance studies. She spent her junior year in Florence, Italy. During college, she had roles in Guys and Dolls, Stage Door, and Lemon Sky. Before graduating, she had the lead role in the independent film Five Spot Jewel. Bowen studied acting at the Actor's Institute, among other places.

Bowen had a role in the soap opera Loving (1992) and an episode of the college drama Class of '96 (1993). She had the lead role in the television film Runaway Daughters (1994). She played the love interest of the title character in Happy Gilmore (1996). She appeared in the films Multiplicity (1996) and An American Werewolf in Paris (1997). She has had guest roles on television series such as Party of Five (1996) and Strange Luck (1996), as well as her role as Aunt Gwen in the drama series Dawson's Creek (1999). Bowen had a recurring role as Roxanne Please on ER (1998–99). She first gained prominence on the television series Ed (2000–04), where she played high school English teacher Carol Vessey. She then guest starred as Sarah Shephard in five episodes of Lost (2005–07). She also played attorney Denise Bauer on the series Boston Legal (2005–08), and had a recurring role on Weeds (2008). She was a spokesmodel for Neutrogena, most recently advertising the Pure Glow products. She appeared on an episode of Celebrity Jeopardy! on August 31, 2010, and again on December 4, 2022. From 2009 to 2020, Bowen starred as Claire Dunphy on the ABC sitcom Modern Family. For her portrayal, she received six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2010–15), winning the award in 2011 and 2012. Bowen has said that winning an Emmy is like "German soldiers in the trenches of the World Wars" and that "when you win the award, it is like being pulled out of the trench." She also said, "As exciting and wonderful as it is not to be in the trench, and to be recognized for what you do, it also means everyone has got a clear shot at you and that is a very frightening prospect for most of us." In November 2021, Bowen's production company, Bowen & Sons, entered a first-look deal at Universal Television. In March 2023, Prom Pact, a movie produced by Bowen, was released on the Disney Channel and Disney+ in the United States.

Bowen married Scott Phillips, a real estate investor and software developer, on September 9, 2004. They have three sons, the first born in April 2007, and twins born in May 2009, with whom she was visibly pregnant when shooting the pilot for Modern Family. In February 2018, she filed for divorce from Phillips and cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce. It was finalized on September 14, 2018. She is a self-described "low Protestant".

Bowen has the heart condition bradycardia meaning her regular heart rate is slower than normal. As a result, she has had a pacemaker implant since her early twenties. Bowen has also publicly discussed her experience with chronic dry eye, a progressive condition she has managed for approximately two decades. She has also served as a spokeswoman for the prescription eye drop Xiidra, to help manage her symptoms.