‘Modern Family’ Star Shares Devastating Family Loss: ‘I Lost My First Baby & Best Friend’

Ariel Winter is opening up about a heartbreaking loss. The “Modern Family” alum shared an emotional message on Instagram announcing that her beloved dog, Casper, has passed away after 11 and a half years together.

“The last two weeks have been the most heartbreaking weeks of my life… I lost my first baby and best friend Casper 💔,” she began. “He was the most special, funny, empathetic, loving, independent, sassy, clumsy and, of course, handsome good boi. I’ll forever be grateful for the 11.5 years I had with him.”

Getty

Winter poured her heart out, describing Casper’s vibrant personality and the love he gave her family. “He LOVED kids, occasional mischief, a cold floor, walks, awoo-ing at you, photos of himself in his Christmas pjs, his dragon scarf, barking at the neighbor dogs, policing his younger siblings, fish, and a good inner ear scratch, but above all else he loved us more than anything,” she wrote.

‘It Still Feels Unreal That He’s Gone’

The actress continued her tribute, expressing how difficult it’s been to accept Casper’s absence. “It still feels so unreal that he’s gone. I keep thinking the hospital is going to call and tell me a miracle happened and I can pick him up and bring him home,” she wrote.

In her heartbreaking message, Winter also imagined her dog’s peace in the afterlife. “I hope the rainbow bridge is a beautiful place filled with everything he loves and NO thunderstorms. I hope that he’s happy and cozy there,” she said. “I hope with everything in me that I can see him again one day and let him know one last time just how much he meant to me and how he’ll always have a piece of my heart.”

She ended the tribute with a message full of love and gratitude: “RIP Casper, the scawiest fwuffiest boi with da fwuffiest paws and best ears and big teefs and big tail and big heart🐾 We miss and love you so much buddy❤️🌈.”

A Look Back at Ariel Winter’s Journey & Healing

Getty

Winter’s post touched millions of fans who’ve followed her since she first appeared as Alex Dunphy on “Modern Family.” The 27-year-old actress, born and raised in Los Angeles, began acting in commercials at just 4 years old.

Her years in the spotlight were not always easy. Winter has previously spoken about enduring online bullying and the relentless scrutiny of her body while growing up on-screen.

“It was just everywhere,” she told People. “It was every headline I read about myself, like, grown people writing articles about me saying how I looked terrible or pregnant or like a fat slut. I mean, I was 14.”

After years of therapy and personal growth, Winter has found peace away from Hollywood’s glare. She and her longtime boyfriend, actor Luke Benward, moved out of Los Angeles after “Modern Family” ended in 2020 and now live a quiet life surrounded by their six dogs.

‘Modern Family’ Cast Remains Closer Than Ever

Getty

Despite the show ending five years ago, the “Modern Family” cast still keeps in touch. Winter revealed that she learned about her co-star Eric Stonestreet’s wedding through their group chat.

“We literally have a group chat going right now, and he sent us all – he didn’t tell us that they were doing that,” she told People. “They invited just their close friends and family at their house where they are. Like, literally, I think they had maybe 10 people there. And they, like, invited them over for something and just did that. Came out and got married.”

Getty

Stonestreet, who played Cam Tucker on the hit ABC comedy, later announced the news on Instagram, writing, “It’s my birthday and guess what I got,” alongside wedding photos with Lindsay Schweitzer.

The bittersweet mix of love and loss shows how deeply the cast still supports each other — from weddings to farewells to furry family members.

The post ‘Modern Family’ Star Shares Devastating Family Loss: ‘I Lost My First Baby & Best Friend’ appeared first on EntertainmentNow.