Julie Bowen

Acting

Julie Bowen

Born 1970-03-03 · Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer (born March 3, 1970) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Claire Dunphy on the sitcom Modern Family, Carol Vessey on Ed, and Denise Bauer on Boston Legal. She began her acting career in the soap opera Loving in 1992. In 1994, she played the lead role opposite Paul Rudd, in the television film Runaway Daughters. Throughout the 90s and early 2000s, she had roles in numerous films including Happy Gilmore (1996), An American Werewolf in Paris (1997), Joe Somebody (2001) and Kids in America (2005). She gained recognition on the television series Ed, where she played high school English teacher Carol Vessey, the love interest of of the series' protagonist, Ed Stevens. She has had guest roles in many television series including Party of Five, Jake in Progress, ER and Strange Luck. In the cult series Lost, she played Jack Shepard's ex-wife, Sarah Shepard. In 2008, she had a recurring role as Lisa, the love interest of the almost legal Silas Botwin on Weeds. Since 2009, she co-starred in the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family. For her portrayal of the competitive and lovable soccer mom, Claire Dunphy, she received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, winning the award in 2011 and 2012.

Acting credits

The Fallout poster
7.5

In the wake of a school tragedy, Vada, Mia and Quinton form a unique and dynamic bond as they navigate the never linear, often confusing journey to heal in a world that feels forever changed.

The Fallout

2021

Horrible Bosses poster
6.6

For Nick, Kurt and Dale, the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con, the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently.

Horrible Bosses

2011

Happy Gilmore poster
6.7

Failed hockey player-turned-golf whiz Happy Gilmore — whose unconventional approach and antics on the green courts the ire of rival Shooter McGavin — is determined to win a PGA tournament so he can save his granny's house with the prize money. Meanwhile, an attractive tour publicist tries to soften Happy's image.

Happy Gilmore

1996

Planes: Fire & Rescue poster
6.2

When world-famous air racer Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, a bunch of all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

Planes: Fire & Rescue

2014

Happy Gilmore 2 poster
6.5

Happy Gilmore isn't done with golf — not by a long shot. Since his retirement after his first Tour Championship win, Gilmore returns to finance his daughter's ballet classes.

Happy Gilmore 2

2025

Totally Killer poster
6.8

When the infamous "Sweet Sixteen Killer" returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.

Totally Killer

2023

Tangled: Before Ever After poster
6.8

Rapunzel grapples with the responsibilities of being a princess and the overprotective ways of her father. While she wholeheartedly loves Eugene, Rapunzel does not share his immediate desire to get married and settle down within the castle walls. Determined to live life on her own terms, she and her tough-as-nails Lady-in-Waiting Cassandra embark on a secret adventure where they encounter mystical rocks that magically cause Rapunzel's long blonde hair to grow back. Impossible to break and difficult to hide, Rapunzel must learn to embrace her hair and all that it represents.

Tangled: Before Ever After

2017

Multiplicity poster
5.8

Construction worker Doug Kinney finds that the pressures of his working life, combined with his duties to his wife Laura and daughter Jennifer leaves him with little time for himself. However, he is approached by geneticist Dr. Owen Leeds, who offers Doug a rather unusual solution to his problems: cloning.

Multiplicity

1996

Hubie Halloween poster
5.9

Hubie Dubois, despite his devotion to his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts (and its legendary Halloween celebration), is a figure of mockery for kids and adults alike. But this year, something really is going bump in the night, and it’s up to Hubie to save Halloween.

Hubie Halloween

2020

Life of the Party poster
6.1

When her husband suddenly dumps her, longtime dedicated housewife Deanna turns regret into re-set by going back to college... landing in the same class and school as her daughter, who's not entirely sold on the idea. Plunging headlong into the campus experience, the increasingly outspoken Deanna – now Dee Rock – embraces freedom, fun, and frat boys on her own terms, finding her true self in a senior year no one ever expected.

Life of the Party

2018

Joe Somebody poster
5.7

When underappreciated video specialist Joe Scheffer is brutally humiliated by office bully Mark McKinney in front of his daughter, Joe begins a quest for personal redemption. He proceeds by enduring a personal makeover and takes martial arts lessons from a B-action star. As news spreads of his rematch with Mark, Joe suddenly finds himself the center of attention, ascending the corporate ladder and growing in popularity.

Joe Somebody

2001

An American Werewolf in Paris poster
5.9

An American man unwittingly gets involved with werewolves who have developed a serum allowing them to transform at will.

An American Werewolf in Paris

1997

Sex and Death 101 poster
6.1

A guy's life is turned around by an email, which includes the names of everyone he's had sex with and ever will have sex with. His situation gets worse when he encounters a femme fatale who targets men guilty of sex crime.

Sex and Death 101

2007

Jumping the Broom poster
5.9

Two very different families converge on Martha's Vineyard one weekend for a wedding.

Jumping the Broom

2011

Amy's Orgasm poster
5.1

Amy is a single 29 year old Jewish woman. She wrote a successful self-help book about how women can't truly be in love and experience "mental orgasm." Her parents and acquaintances always try to give her advice. Eventually, she breaks her celibacy and starts dating a radio shock jock, who is known for hitting on his bimbo guests. Of all men, will she find in him the true love she never believed in

Amy's Orgasm

2001

Grown Ups 3 poster
NR

The group & their respective partners travel to Europe to spread their close friend's ashes & prove that they can still be fun — even in their 60s.

Grown Ups 3

Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace poster
8.3

Mecha Mutt, a revolutionary remote-controlled lunar rover resembling a large canine, goes rogue at Houston's Annual Science Expo. Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace is the fourth in a series of direct-to-video short films.

Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace

2013

Netflix Tudum 2025 poster
5.5

Celebrate your favorite shows and movies at this star-studded, live global fan event with special performances and exclusive reveals.

Netflix Tudum 2025

2025

Crazy on the Outside poster
5.3

A recently paroled ex-con who has trouble adjusting to the wacky normalcy of life outside of prison. He has spent the last three years behind bars after getting caught committing a crime and taking the rap for his much more dangerous pal.

Crazy on the Outside

2010

NBC 75th Anniversary Special poster
6.0

A celebration of NBC's 75 year history, featuring clips of special moments.

NBC 75th Anniversary Special

2002

Mixtape poster
6.9

On the eve of Y2K, orphaned 12-year-old Beverly discovers a broken mixtape crafted by her teen parents. Raised by her grandmother – who struggles talking about her late daughter – Beverly sees the mixtape as a chance to finally learn more about her parents.

Mixtape

2021

Conception poster
4.6

Conception is a clever, romantic comedy that proves it takes more than sex to make a baby. From a couple fighting the odds of fertility to young teenagers losing their virginity, the film follows nine very different couples on the night they conceive, showing that sex can sometimes be more neurotic than erotic. The hilarious ensemble cast includes Emmy-winner Julie Bowen and Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”), Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”), David Arquette (Never Been Kissed), Jason Mantzoukas (“The League”), and Alan Tudyk (Dodgeball).

Conception

2011

Tangled: Queen for a Day poster
10.0

When King Frederic and Queen Arianna go out of town to celebrate their anniversary, Rapunzel becomes Queen for a Day! It may be her first turn as a leader, but Rapunzel is confident 'cause she's got this. However, when a terrible blizzard threatens Corona and her parents, the Princess is faced with some gut-wrenching decisions! Can Rapunzel and her friends save the day?

Tangled: Queen for a Day

2017

Secret of the Sundrop poster
8.7

When the kingdom of Corona is threatened on Princess Rapunzel's 19th birthday, King Frederic prioritizes the personal safety of his daughter over the safety of the whole kingdom. Rapunzel must overcome the king's overprotectiveness in order to save everything and everyone she loves.

Secret of the Sundrop

2018

Behind the camera