In 2009, Eric Stonestreet’s life changed in two big ways. First, he got the role that made him famous. He played Cameron Tucker on Modern Family, a popular ABC sitcom. The show lasted for 11 seasons. Eric’s character was funny, loving, and full of heart. Fans loved him.
But that same year, Eric got some tough news. He found out he had Type 2 diabetes. It was a shock and something he felt ashamed about. He didn’t tell many people. In fact, the only cast member who knew was Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who played his husband on the show. Eric says he never talked about it because he was embarrassed.
He felt like people would judge him. People often think that diabetes happens because of how someone looks or eats. Eric thought, “Of course, a guy like me has Type 2 diabetes.” That kind of thinking made him hide his condition.
For many years, Eric kept his diagnosis a secret. But in 2022, things started to change. His doctor suggested he try a medicine called Mounjaro. This drug helped him get his blood sugar under control. Now, Eric says his levels are closer to prediabetic, which is a big improvement. He has also lost some weight.
Eric is clear that he did not take Mounjaro just to look better. He took it to get healthier. Still, some fans might notice he looks thinner now than during Modern Family. He didn’t say exactly how much weight he lost but mentioned he dropped a few shirt sizes.
Today, Eric works with Eli Lilly, the company that makes Mounjaro. He shares his experience to help others understand that taking this medicine is nothing to be ashamed of. These kinds of drugs have become controversial, but Eric wants to clear up the stigma.
He says, “I just never talked to anybody about it. I was embarrassed.” Now he is opening up. He hopes others will feel okay talking about their health too.
Eric also talks about how he feels watching himself on TV. He admits he never liked it. When he was on Modern Family, he found it harder to watch because of the shame tied to his diabetes. He didn’t like how he looked, and that affected how he saw his work.
He expects his old castmates will find out about his weight loss when he announces the partnership with Eli Lilly. He thinks they will be happy for him. No one on the show ever said he looked unhealthy, but Eric admits he sometimes thought he should take better care of himself.
He is not sure if losing weight will change his acting career. His main goal was to get healthy, not change how he looks for roles. Still, he jokes that wardrobe people might be less surprised by his size now. He says, “I’m always going to be a big-boned, Kansas, corn-fed dude.” Clothes just fit better, and that feels good.
Medications like Mounjaro have become more popular in recent years. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey have talked about their experiences. But these medicines still face judgment from some people. Many do not understand how helpful they can be when used properly.
Eric knows some people on social media will say mean things about him using the drug. He is ready for that. He says, “People suck on social media,” but he does not let it bother him. He knows the medicine works for him and believes everyone has their own reasons for their health choices.
Most importantly, Eric hopes his story helps others. He wants people with Type 2 diabetes or similar conditions to feel less alone. There is no shame in using medicine to get healthier.
He shares this lesson: talk about your health. Don’t hide it. Shine a light on your struggles instead of keeping them secret. That is how real change starts.
Eric Stonestreet’s journey shows us that health is about more than just looks. It is about feeling good inside and being brave enough to ask for help. His story reminds us all to be kind to ourselves and each other, no matter what challenges come our way.
