kids encyclopedia robot

Sofía Vergara facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Sofía Vergara
Sofía Vergara 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg
Vergara in 2019
Born
Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara

(1972-07-10) July 10, 1972 (age 52)
Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
Citizenship
  • Colombia (by birthplace)
  • United States (naturalized)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • television personality
Years active 1995–present
Spouse(s)
  • Joe Gonzalez
    (m. 1991; div. 1993)
  • (m. 2015; div. 2024)
Children 1
Relatives Sandra Vergara (cousin, adopted sister)

Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara (Spanish: [soˈfi.a βeɾˈɣaɾa]; born July 10, 1972) is a Colombian and American actress and television personality. She is known for her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020) and Griselda Blanco in the Netflix miniseries Griselda (2024). She received five nominations each at the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards for both performances. The former also established her as one of the highest-paid actresses in the United States.

Vergara rose to prominence while co-hosting two television shows for Spanish-language television network Univision in the late 1990s. After acting in the English-language film Chasing Papi (2003), she subsequently appeared in Four Brothers (2005) and Tyler Perry's comedies Meet the Browns (2008) and Madea Goes to Jail (2009). Vergara also acted in New Year's Eve (2011), The Three Stooges (2012), Machete Kills (2013), Chef (2014), and Hot Pursuit (2015). She has also had voice-over roles in the animated films Happy Feet Two (2011), The Emoji Movie (2017), and Despicable Me 4 (2024).

Since 2020, Vergara has been a judge on the television talent show America's Got Talent. She is also known as a businesswoman, and brand ambassador. Vergara designs her own fashion line for Kmart and signed with both Pepsi and CoverGirl in 2011. Vergara launched her first fragrance "Sofia by Sofia Vergara" in 2014 and has since released four more fragrances.

Early life

Vergara was born to a Roman Catholic family in Barranquilla. Her mother, Margarita Vergara de Vergara, was a homemaker, and her father, Julio Enrique Vergara Robayo, was a cattle rancher for the meat industry. She was nicknamed "Toti" by her five siblings and many cousins. Vergara initially studied dentistry for three years at National University of Colombia, but she left two semesters away from completing her degree to pursue opportunities in modeling and show business.

In 1998, Vergara emigrated to the United States, settling in Miami, Florida. Her cousin and adopted sister, Sandra, is also a television actress in the United States.

Career

Vergara was discovered by a photographer while walking on a beach in Colombia, and she was quickly presented with offers of modeling and television work. She was "apprehensive about doing her first television commercial—until her Catholic schoolteachers gave her their personal permission to take the assignment." She made her first appearance, aged 17, in a Pepsi commercial aired in Latin America. She then began studies at the Creative Workshops School of Acting, where Gloria Estefan also trained.

In 2009, Vergara appeared in Chicago on Broadway as Matron Mama Morton for six weeks. She was scheduled to star in The Paperboy, an independent drama directed by Lee Daniels. However shooting was delayed and the revised resumption conflicted with her shooting schedule for the third season of Modern Family and she dropped out. In July 2011, she finished filming the Farrelly brothers' The Three Stooges, her first leading role in a major film. In April 2012, she appeared in her son Manolo's YouTube web series Vida con Toty.

Sofía Vergara 2, 2009
Vergara in 2009

She starred on the ABC sitcom Modern Family as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, for which she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series from 2010 to 2013. Vergara was the highest-earning woman in U.S. television, earning $19 million for the previous 12 months, according to a list released by Forbes.com on July 18, 2012. Vergara was named one of People magazine's "50 most beautiful people", and named by The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard as one of the most influential Latin women in Hollywood. Vergara received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 7, 2015. In 2015, Forbes estimated Vergara's annual income at $28.5 million.

As of September 2016, Forbes reported that Vergara was the highest-paid actress in television, bringing in $43 million in the past year. In February 2020, it was announced that Vergara would be a judge on America's Got Talent, starting with its fifteenth season. She returned for her second season in 2021, her third in 2022, her fourth in 2023, and her fifth in 2024.

In 2024 Vergara became the first Latina born in a Latin American country nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, for playing Griselda Blanco in the miniseries Griselda.

Business ventures

Sofía Vergara 2017
Sofía Vergara in 2017

In 2011, it was announced that Vergara was designing a clothing line for Kmart targeting soccer moms. In 2011, Vergara was named the face of CoverGirl, with the first advertisements appearing in January 2012. In April 2011, she appeared in a Diet Pepsi commercial with David Beckham and another in January 2012. Also in 2011, she appeared in a number of commercials for Comcast's Xfinity brand and State Farm. In 2013, she signed endorsement contracts with Diet Pepsi, Rooms To Go, and the medicine Synthroid. Vergara launched a furniture line with Rooms To Go in 2013. She wanted to create well-made and affordable furniture, saying: "Everyone should be able to make their home look amazing and be proud of their home." In 2014, Vergara became a brand ambassador for the American anti-dandruff shampoo brand Head & Shoulders.

In March 2017, she reached a settlement with Venus Concept for alleged improper use of her likeness, which Vergara said created the false impression that she endorsed their beauty products. She launched her first fragrance "Sofia by Sofia Vergara" in 2014 and has since released four more fragrances. In June 2023, Vergara launched the beauty brand Toty. The brand is named after her childhood nickname.

List of product lines by Sofia Vergara
Year Title Brand Notes
2005 "EBY by Sofia Vergara" EBY (Empowered By You) Clothing collection
2011–2015 "Sofia by Sofia Vergara" Kmart Clothing collection
2013–present "Sofia Vergara Furniture Collection" Rooms To Go Furniture line
2018 "Sofia by Sofia Vergara" (Latin America Exclusive) Payless Shoe and bag collection
2019–present "Sofía Jeans by Sofía Vergara" Walmart Clothing collection
2020–present "Sofia Vergara x Foster Grant" Foster Grant Eyewear collection
2021 "Sofia Intimates by Sofia Vergara" Walmart Intimate apparel line
2022 "Sofia Jewelry by Sofia Vergara" Walmart Jewelry line
2022 "Sofía Home by Sofía Vergara" Walmart Home decoration line
2023 "Toty" Vergara's own beauty brand

Personal life

Vergara has naturally blonde hair. For movies and television, she is sometimes asked to color her hair dark brown or black to make her look more stereotypically Hispanic. Vergara was married at the age of 18 to her high-school sweetheart, Joe Gonzalez. They have a son named Manolo, who was born in Colombia on September 16, 1991. They divorced in 1993. Vergara and her boyfriend Nick Loeb became engaged in 2012 after dating for two years. On May 23, 2014, Vergara announced that the engagement had been called off. Vergara and True Blood star Joe Manganiello became engaged on Christmas Eve 2014 after dating for six months. They married in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 21, 2015. On July 17, 2023, Vergara and Manganiello announced to Page Six that they have separated and are planning to divorce after seven years of marriage. The divorce was finalized in February 2024. She dated orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman.

Vergara was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 at the age of 28. She had her thyroid removed, underwent radioiodine therapy, and made a full recovery. She takes medication to prevent hypothyroidism. During her December 2014 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Vergara revealed that she had become a United States citizen after getting a perfect score on her citizenship test.

In 2024, Vergara launched Dios Mios Coffee, a brand devoted to elevating female Colombian growers.

She has Italian origins.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Collateral Damage Airplane Hijacker Deleted scene
Big Trouble Nina
2003 Chasing Papi Cici
2004 The 24th Day Isabella
Soul Plane Blanca
2005 Lords of Dogtown Amelia
Four Brothers Sofi
2006 Grilled Loridonna
National Lampoon's Pledge This! Herself
2008 Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns Cheryl
2009 Madea Goes to Jail T.T.
2011 The Smurfs Odile Anjelou
New Year's Eve Ava
Happy Feet Two Carmen Voice role
2012 The Three Stooges Lydia Harter
2013 Escape from Planet Earth Gabby Babblebrook Voice role
Fading ... Selima
Machete Kills Madame Desdemona
2014 Chef Inez
2015 Wild Card D.D.
Hot Pursuit Daniella Riva Also executive producer
2017 The Female Brain Lisa
The Emoji Movie Flamenco Dancer Voice role
2018 Bent Rebecca
The Con Is On Vivien
2019 Bottom of the 9th Angela Ramirez
2021 Koati Zaina Voice role; also executive producer
2023 Strays Dolores The Couch Voice role
2024 This Is Me... Now: A Love Story Cancer
Despicable Me 4 Valentina Voice role

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Muchachitas Herself 1 episode
1994 Festival de Viña del Mar Herself / Co-Host Television special
1995 Festival de Viña del Mar Herself / Co-Host Television special
1995-1996 Acapulco, cuerpo y alma Irasema Telenovela
1995–1998 Fuera de serie Herself / Host Travel show
1999 Baywatch Herself Episode: "Boys will be Boys"
1999-2000 A que no te atreves Herself / Host Variety show
2000-2001 Club La Bomba Herself / Host Variety show
2002 My Wife and Kids Selma Episode: "Samba Story"
MTV Video Music Awards Latinoamérica 2002 Herself / Host Television special
2002-2003 ¡Vivan los niños! María Clara Guest
2004 Eve April Perez Episode: "Party All the Time"
Rodney Carmen Episode: "Dream Lover"
2005 Hot Properties Lola Hernandez Main role, 13 episodes
Punk'd Herself Season 5, episode 4
2007 Entourage Village Girl Episode: "Welcome to the Jungle"
Amas de Casa Desesperadas Alicia Oviedo 23 episodes
The Knights of Prosperity Esperanza Villalobos Main role, 13 episodes
Dirty ... Money Sofía Montoya 4 episodes
2008 Fuego en la sangre Leonora 10 episodes
Men in Trees Pilar Romero 2 episodes
2009 Dancing with the Stars Herself Guest appearance
2009–2020 Modern Family Gloria Delgado-Pritchett Main role, 250 episodes
2011 Sesame Street Herself Guest appearance
2012 Saturday Night Live Herself / Host Episode: "Sofia Vergara/One Direction"
2013 The Cleveland Show Señora Chalupa / Herself (voice) 2 Episodes: "The Essence of Cleveland" "Wide World of Cleveland Show"
2013–2017 Family Guy Flower Saleswoman / Hispanic Woman / Herself (voice) 2 Episodes, "The Giggity Wife" "Emmy Winning Episode"
2014 Killer Women N/A Executive producer
2016 The Simpsons Carol Berrera (voice) Episode: "Teenage Mutant Milk-Caused Hurdles"
2020 A Modern Farewell Herself Modern Family documentary
2020–Present America's Got Talent Herself / Judge Season 15–present
2023 Germany's Next Topmodel Herself / Guest Judge Season 18
2024 Griselda Griselda Blanco Lead role, also executive producer
TBD Koati: Animated Series voice

Music video

Year Title Artist
1997 "Que Diera" Carlos Vives
2013 "Aura" Lady Gaga
2020 "Yo Visto Así" Bad Bunny

Theatre

  • 2009 Chicago as Matron "Mama" Morton

Awards and nominations

Sofia Vergara at Golden Globes Red Carpet 2020
Vergara on the red carpet at the 77th Golden Globe Awards in January 2020

In 2014, Vergara was ranked as the 32nd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes; her position was 38 the previous year.

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2006 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Ensemble (shared with the rest of the cast) Four Brothers Nominated
2009 ALMA Awards Actress in Film Madea Goes to Jail Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family Nominated
2010 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Imagen Foundation Awards Best Actress – Television Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2011 ALMA Awards Favorite TV Actress – Leading Role in a Comedy Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2012 Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
ALMA Awards Favorite Movie Actress – Supporting Role The Three Stooges Nominated
Favorite TV Actress – Leading Role in a Comedy Modern Family Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actress The Smurfs Nominated
Glamour Awards Comedy Actress of the Year N/A Won
2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Modern Family Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedic TV Actress Nominated
2014 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Funny Star Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2015 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedic TV Actress Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2016 Nominated
Imagen Foundation Awards Best Actress – Television Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Family TV Actress Nominated
Premios Juventud Actriz Que Se Roba La Pantalla Nominated
People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedic TV Actress Nominated
Favorite Comedic Movie Actress Hot Pursuit Nominated
2017 Favorite Comedic TV Actress Modern Family Won
2018 Favorite Comedy TV Star Nominated
2020 Favorite Female TV Star Nominated
Favorite Comedy TV Star Won
2024 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Griselda Nominated
2025 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sofía Vergara para niños

kids search engine
Sofía Vergara Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.