Rico Rodriguez looks absolutely nothing like his childhood character on Modern Family, proven he's grown up a lot since his role on the beloved sitcom.
Fans got to know and love the actor when he played Manny Delgado on the sitcom from 2009-2020, so when he debuted a new look at the season six premiere of Netflix's Cobra Kai, viewers couldn't believe their eyes. He debuted his look on the red carpet in Los Angeles on Wednesday, February 12.
For his appearance, Rico wore a black shirt with matching pants and a jean jacket, trading in his usual short haircut for a much longer style with cascading curls falling past his ears. The star looked even more unrecognizable because he also had a dark beard and mustache, taking quite the departure from his young self.
© Steve GranitzIn addition to taking pictures with his sister Raini Rodriguez, the former child star was also seen alongside Cobra Kai costars Tanner Buchanan and Mary Mouser, who surprised fans when they confirmed their engagement on the red carpet. Rico spoke about how important it was for him to have the Austin & Ally alum and the rest of his family around as he navigated Hollywood at such a young age.
"They really kept a solid ground underneath me," Rico told ABC News in a 2016 interview. "And they kept me down to earth."
During the same interview, he revealed that when he goes back home, he insists that he doesn't get any star treatment.
"When [I'm] acting, I'm putting on a character," Rico explained. "but when I’m home I’m Rico—Rico that still has to take out the trash, do my chores around the house and then do schooling and stuff like that so I really credit my mom and dad."
Not only does Rico have his own family to keep him grounded, his Modern Family parents Sofía Vergara (who played his mom Gloria Delgado-Pritchett) and Ed O'Neill (who portrayed his stepdad Jay Pritchett), also treat him like family.
"We are so thankful to be working together," Rico told CBS News in 2016. "It’s such a fantastic cast and I know I can speak for everyone and say we love working with each other."
