If her acting career hadn’t taken off, Sarah Hyland, who plays Haley Dunphy on Modern Family, says she would probably be flipping burgers at McDonald’s. Haley and Sarah are as similar as they are different. While Haley is a ditzy teenager who goes to a community college, Sarah, a through-and-through New Yorker, thinks she’d be reading psychology at New York University, if not for acting. In this chat, Sarah speaks about being star-struck and her most embarrassing memory of high school.
How similar are you to your character Haley?
Sarah Hyland: Not that similar. We have a few things in common. I’m not the best cook, neither is she. I always have my phone in my hand, but I am really bad at getting back to people. I always forget. Other than that, I don’t really have much in common with her.
What are you guys up to in between takes?
SH: Usually I film a lot with the immediate family like Julie (Bowen) and Ty (Burrell). So usually I just hang out with Julie and Ty, or Nolan (Gould).
What is Ty like to work with?
SH: He’s amazing. He’s so funny and he’s such a good person. He’s honestly one of my favourite people. He’s like a puppy dog. He’s so much fun.
Have you ever been star-struck?
SH: When I was five, I did the movie The Object of My Affection, Paul Rudd came in the makeup trailer on my first day. He said, “Hi, I’m Paul. Nice to meet you.” I couldn’t speak. I put on a smile and giggled, as I’d recently seen him in Clueless, and had fallen in love with him. I just remember being five years old and being completely star-struck.
What’s the best thing about being an actor?
SH: It’s a lot of downtime and it’s a lot of work. So when it rains, it pours, and when it’s dry, it’s dry. It’s awesome because I love to work, but I also like to relax and chill and sleep in.
What’s your most embarrassing high school memory?
SH: When I was in sixth grade, we had a teacher who always wore long sleeves. And I made a joke in front of the entire class. I meant to say, “Why do you wear long sleeves all the time? Do you have tentacles or something?” But I said testicles instead. Everybody started laughing including the teacher. I wasn’t
embarrassed, but it was pretty funny.
Seasons 1 to 8 of Modern Family airs from April 5 at 8.30 pm (weekdays only)
on Star World and Star World HD