Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the actor best known for playing Mitchell on Modern Family, will now be in a new role: dad. Ferguson and his husband, Justin Mikita, welcomed a baby boy this week.
“Jesse and Justin welcomed their little bundle of joy Beckett Mercer Ferguson-Mikita on July 7, 2020,” Ferguson’s representative told PEOPLE Magazine. “The new parents are overjoyed and excited for this new journey as a family of three.”
Mikita took to Instagram to say that the couple is “over the moon” about their new addition.
The timing just might be perfect, since Modern Family finished its last day of taping in February.
The world first learned of little Beckett’s impending arrival in January, when Ferguson was a guest on the Late Late Show With James Corden, along with Charlie Hunnam. There, while talking about life in his 40s, Ferguson, 44, announced he would soon be a dad.
“I need to start getting serious about things,” Ferguson said. “This is something I haven’t even mentioned to anyone, if we could just keep it between the three of us and you all, but I’m actually expecting a baby in July with my husband.”
Ferguson, who has been married since 2013, said that he felt it was time to become a parent.
“I’m very excited, but it feels like I’m 44 now, let’s get this show going. Tick tock,” he said.
When Corden asked whether Ferguson was expecting a boy or girl, Ferguson seemed ready for any addition to the family. “A human,” he replied.
Ferguson continued baby prep with his characteristic sense of humor. The theme for the couples February baby shower was “Shit Just Got Real” — which frankly is just about the most appropriate baby shower theme we’ve ever heard. Of course, there were no boring shower games to be had at Beckett’s baby bash — instead there was a performance by the Aquawillies, a synchronized swim team that bills itself as “The world’s hottest male water entertainers.”
Sarah Hyland, who plays Haley on Modern Family, posted a picture of the scantily-clad dancers on Instagram with the caption “If you don’t have this at your baby shower you’re not doing it right. Just sayin.’”
Sophia Vergara, who plays Gloria, posted pictures of the shower with the caption, “Congratulations Jesse and Justin!!!❤️❤️❤️👶👶👶 we luv iuu!!!”
Baby Beckett will be sleeping in style. Actor Luke Macfarlane, who stars in Brothers and Sisters, posted on pictures on his Instagram with the caption,
“Finished the crib, and giving to my dear Frinds @jessetyler @justinmikita you are going to be great fathers I hope it brings your new family member good sleep when they arrive soon …also Thanks to @craftedworkshop for the inspiration on the build. I made a few changes:) AND respect for anybody who can tell me what the engraved quote is from.”
The crib’s special inscription reads “There was a star that danced, and under that was I born.” It’s a Shakespeare quote delivered by Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing.”
Ferguson and Mikita, who is a lawyer, got married in 2013. They were planning their ceremony before the Supreme Court struck down California’s Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriage. Because of that, they chose to marry in New York, rather than California, where they live.
“It wasn’t legal in California up until yesterday,” Ferguson said just after the ruling. “Weddings are expensive, y’all, and we wanted to give that money to a state that accepted us as an equal. We’re too far down the planning path to change.”
At the wedding, the grooms asked guests to skip the wedding presents and instead donate to Tie The Knot, an organization that Ferguson founded to advocate for marriage equality. The Supreme Court established the right to same sex marriage for all Americans in 2015, paving the way for more families like Ferguson’s and Mikita’s to have legal security.
Ferguson hasn’t posted any pictures of little Beckett on his Instagram, but we’re watching closely to see if the newest addition has dad’s signature red hair!
