Sarah Hyland

Sarah Jane Hyland Bio

Sarah Jane Hyland (born November 24, 1990) is an American actress and singer best known for her breakout role as Haley Dunphy on the ABC comedy Modern Family from 2009 to 2020. Born in Manhattan, New York, she began her acting career as a child in the film Private Parts (1997) and trained at the Professional Performing Arts School. Hyland has since established herself in both film and television, appearing in productions such as Geek Charming (2011), Struck by Lightning (2012), and The Wedding Year (2019), while also maintaining a presence on stage and in music collaborations. She married Wells Adams in 2022 and has continued to expand her career through hosting duties and entrepreneurial ventures.

Early Life and Background

Sarah Jane Hyland was born in the East Village of Lower Manhattan, New York City, on November 24, 1990. Her parents are actors Melissa Canaday and Edward James Hyland, and she has a brother, actor Ian Hyland, who would later play a significant role in her life. Growing up in a performing family provided Hyland with early exposure to the entertainment industry, setting the foundation for her own career path.

Hyland attended the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan, an institution known for nurturing young talent in the performing arts. This educational background equipped her with formal training in acting and performance from an early age, preparing her for the demanding nature of professional acting work.

Path to Actress

Hyland began her professional acting career at the young age of six when she appeared as Howard Stern’s daughter in the 1997 film Private Parts. This early start provided her with valuable on-set experience and a glimpse into the film industry. She continued to pursue acting throughout her childhood, taking on roles such as Molly in the 1999 television film adaptation of Annie.

Before her breakthrough role, Hyland worked steadily in both film and television, appearing in projects like Blind Date (2007) and the NBC series Lipstick Jungle (2008). She also gained theatrical experience, notably portraying the young Jacqueline Bouvier in the Broadway production of Grey Gardens from 2006 to 2007. These diverse experiences helped develop her craft and prepared her for the opportunities that would follow.

Sarah Jane Hyland Career

Early Career (1997–2009)

Following her debut in Private Parts, Hyland steadily built her resume with appearances in various film and television projects throughout her childhood and teenage years. Her role in the Broadway production of Grey Gardens marked a significant milestone in her career, providing her with exposure to professional theatre and allowing her to hone her craft alongside established performers.

Her performance in Lipstick Jungle (2008) brought her to a broader television audience, showcasing her ability to hold her own in a primetime drama series. These early years established Hyland as a reliable young actress capable of handling both screen and stage work.

Breakthrough (2009–2020)

Hyland achieved widespread recognition when she was cast as Haley Dunphy in the ABC sitcom Modern Family in 2009. The show became a massive hit and ran for eleven seasons until 2020. As Haley Dunphy, Hyland portrayed the oldest Dunphy daughter, navigating the comedic dynamics of a large extended family. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and a nomination for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

The success of Modern Family brought Hyland numerous opportunities and recognition. She and her co-stars received multiple accolades, including winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series each year from 2011 through 2014. The show also elevated Hyland’s profile, leading to more prominent film roles and other professional opportunities.

During this period, Hyland balanced her television work with film projects. She starred as Dylan in the Disney Channel Original Movie Geek Charming (2011) and appeared in Struck by Lightning (2012), portraying the character of珊 alongside Chris Colfer. She continued to take on diverse roles in films such as Scary Movie 5 (2013), Vampire Academy (2014), See You in Valhalla (2015), XOXO (2016), and The Wedding Year (2019).

Notable Works and Milestones

Beyond her screen work, Hyland maintained a presence in live performance. She appeared in concert performances including Kerrigan-Lowdermilk Live (2013) and the Hollywood Bowl adaptation of Hair (2014). Her musical talents also extended to collaborations with Boyce Avenue, including covers of “Closer” and “Don’t Wanna Know,” which peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart in December 2016. She released her debut single “Met At a Party” with Jordan McGraw at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards.

Recent Projects (2020–Present)

After Modern Family concluded, Hyland continued to expand her career in new directions. In August 2022, she began hosting Love Island USA on Peacock, marking her transition into television hosting. That same year, she starred in Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, which premiered on Peacock in November 2022.

Hyland returned to the stage in May 2024, playing Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors opposite Andrew Barth Feldman. In February 2025, she returned to Broadway in The Great Gatsby in the role of Daisy, starring opposite Ryan McCartan. From October 2025 through March 2026, she starred as Connie Francis in Just in Time, appearing alongside Jonathan Groff.

Sarah Jane Hyland Award Nominations

Sarah Hyland has received notable recognition throughout her career. She was nominated for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Modern Family. While the show received numerous accolades during its run, Hyland’s individual nomination highlighted her contribution to the series’ success.

Sarah Jane Hyland Awards Won

As part of the acclaimed ensemble cast of Modern Family, Hyland shared in multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. The cast won this prestigious award for four consecutive years from 2011 through 2014.

Sarah Jane Hyland Family

Sarah Hyland comes from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry. Her parents are actors Melissa Canaday and Edward James Hyland. Her father, Edward James Hyland, played a particularly significant role in her life when he donated a kidney to her in April 2012 after she was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia as a child. When that kidney failed after a few years, her younger brother Ian Hyland became her second kidney donor in September 2017. This family bond, forged through her health challenges, represents a profound chapter in her personal history.

Personal Life

Hyland has been open about her health journey, having been diagnosed with kidney dysplasia as a child. Her two kidney transplants have been well-documented, and she has undergone a total of 16 surgeries to improve her health over the years. She has spoken candidly about the challenges she faced, including periods of bed rest and difficulty maintaining weight and muscle mass while continuing to work on Modern Family.

In her personal relationships, Hyland was in a four-year relationship with her Geek Charming co-star Matt Prokop from 2010 until 2014, when she obtained a domestic violence temporary restraining order against him. She later dated her Shadowhunters and Vampire Academy co-star Dominic Sherwood from 2015 until 2017.

Hyland began a relationship with Wells Adams, a radio and television personality and former contestant on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, in 2017. The couple became engaged in July 2019 and purchased a home in Los Angeles in May 2020. After postponing their wedding multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they married at a California vineyard on August 20, 2022, with Hyland’s Modern Family co-stars in attendance.