Jesse Tyler Ferguson, best known for his role as Mitchell Pritchett in the long-running sitcom Modern Family, has reflected on his career, including his portrayal of Truman Capote in a revival of the play Tru. Now 50, Ferguson initially felt too young to play a parent when he was cast in Modern Family in 2009. To help him feel more like the older dad he portrays on screen, he grew facial hair. Today, with two young children at home, he feels more connected to the character he plays. Ferguson is currently performing as Truman Capote in a revival of Tru at the Menier Chocolate Factory theatre. The play focuses on the final years of Capote's life, exploring his struggles with fame and personal identity. Ferguson notes that portraying a gay character has been a unique challenge, as previous actors who played Capote, such as Robert Morse and Philip Seymour Hoffman, were not openly gay. He draws parallels between Capote's journey and his own as a gay man growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he felt culturally isolated. Ferguson's career began with a role in the short-lived sitcom The Class before he landed the role in Modern Family. He recalls that the show's two creators, Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, had a divided writing process, with each responsible for alternate episodes. This division of power, according to Ferguson, contributed to the show's success over its 11-season run. Ferguson has no regrets about his time on Modern Family, but he reflects on opportunities he wished he had pursued, such as directing an episode. He acknowledges that fear has influenced many of his past decisions and is now trying to overcome that fear as he enters his fifties. He is increasingly drawn to stage work, having recently performed in Here We Are and Jesus Christ Superstar in London. Ferguson sees his role as Capote as a way to showcase his range beyond the sitcom persona of Mitchell Pritchett.