Rico Rodriguez is all grown up! The 26-year-old actor, known for his role as Manny on Modern Family, attended the premiere of Cobra Kai’s series finale at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood on Wednesday, February 12. Posing for photos with his sister and fellow actor Raini Rodriguez, he showcased a striking new look that left fans speechless.
Sporting glasses and a beard along with a mop of curly ringlets, Rico Rodriguez looked nothing like the strait-laced, wise-beyond-his-years character fans remember. Rodriguez was just 11 years old when Modern Family premiered in 2009. Over the show’s 11-season run, viewers watched him grow up alongside Manny Delgado, who often wore his hair neatly cropped and favored button-down shirts paired with slacks or suits.
The fastidious character served as a comedic foil to his feistier mother, played by Sofía Vergara, as well as the broader Pritchett-Dunphy clan. In reality, however, Rico’s fashion sense is more laidback and youthful, which he frequently shares on Instagram. For the Cobra Kai premiere, he opted for a black T-shirt and jeans, complemented by a dark denim jacket and a simple chain around his neck.
Rodriguez wasn’t the only Modern Family alumnus present at the event. Comedian Gabriel Iglesias also attended, bringing back memories of his memorable appearance in a 2018 episode of the show, where he played a character that resembled Rico’s Manny. The gathering of stars highlighted the legacy of Modern Family while celebrating the highly anticipated finale of Cobra Kai.
The significance of Rico Rodriguez’s transformation at the Cobra Kai premiere is manifold. It not only showcases his evolution as an actor but also invites fans to reflect on the passage of time since his days as Manny. As audiences continue to engage with both Cobra Kai and Modern Family, the event serves as a bridge between nostalgia and the excitement of new storytelling. With such transformations, fans are left eager to see what the future holds for Rico Rodriguez and his fellow cast members.
