Wednesday, November 02, 2011

He was a Kansas farm boy, and went on to become an Emmy-award winning star.

Eric Stonestreet was raised on a farm outside of Piper, a different world compared to the glitz and glamor of Hollywood.

"I had seven sows and boars and had to take care of them everyday after school," he said.

He played several roles growing up, including 4-H and football. He started his comedy roots as a clown, hired to entertain birthday parties.

However it wasn't until his junior year at Kansas State University that Stonestreet landed a role on the stage. He took his acting career to Chicago after graduation, training in a comedy troop. He starred in commercials and various small-screen sitcoms over the next decade.

It was not until almost the age of 40 that Stonestreet landed the biggest role of his life. He was cast as "Cam" in ABC's "Modern Family" in 2009. His character, one-half of a gay couple, has served him well. He won a primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a comedy series in 2010. The two-year-old show also won an Emmy for Best Comedy in September.

He wasn't the talk on the red carpet, but Stonestreet wore a K-State pin on his lapel during the show.

"I didn't want a big giant power cat on my lapel and they found a really great silver pin," Stonestreet said.

The show's writers use his Kansas background to give his character personality.

"They knew from the beginning they didn't want to make a stereotypical character that would anger the gay community," he said. "So they made him a country boy, pig raising, ex-clown, ex-football playing gay guy."

His Kansas roots aren't the only things he brought to Hollywood. His co-stars can be seen parading around the set, wearing K-State shirts.

"It's important for people to see what I have been fortunate enough to accomplish in my life," Stonestreet said. "Hopefully that will inspire people to take a risk and a chance and go for it."

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

He’s a Hollywood star, and a Kansas State Wildcat.

Eric Stonestreet, known for his role as Cameron Tucker on ABC’s “Modern Family,” began his acting career in the Little Apple.

Stonestreet graduated from Kansas State University in 1995. He majored in sociology, hoping to become a prison administrator. He joined the theater department his junior year, after a friend dared him to try out for a play.

“Yeah, Paul Busenitz, he’s from Whitewater,” Stonestreet said.

Stonestreet spent the rest of his college career in Nichols Theater, landing lead roles in “All My Sons,” and “Twelfth Night.” He said he developed his acting skills on the stage at KSU. He isn’t afraid to share where he went to school, he even wore a K-State pin on his lapel to the Emmys.

“I love Kansas State, I’m proud of Kansas State,” Stonestreet said.

The 40-year-old also agreed to appear in an alumni video, where he is seen parading around Manhattan, doused in purple paint.

“I’m always pulling for my team, and whoever plays KU,” Stonestreet laughed.

“The Modern Family” celebrity will share his story of success with Susan Peters in a continuing series Wednesday night on KAKE News at 10.

To see a feature about Stonestreet's acting career at KSU
click here