For the better part of eight years, Julie Bowen answered every question about her love life the same way. She was single. Julie was busy. She had three boys at home, a career that kept her on sets across the country, and a dog named Gertrude Stein that she jokingly called her “retirement gift” from dating.
Then, on September 25, 2026, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, that story changed.
Bowen confirmed to PEOPLE at Step Up’s 2026 Annual Inspiration Awards that she is in a relationship. She kept the details to a minimum. No name. No timeline. No dramatic reveal. Just a few honest words and a clear sense that she is genuinely happy about it.
That low-key approach fits everything fans have come to know about Bowen. The two-time Emmy winner built one of the most recognizable careers in American comedy, then handled one of the most closely watched divorces in Hollywood without turning it into a tabloid saga. Her decision to share even a small window into her romantic life now, after years of firmly keeping that door shut, says more than any headline could.
Julie Bowen Confirms a New Relationship at Step Up’s 2026 Inspiration Awards
Bowen made the announcement while attending Step Up’s annual fundraising gala, an event she has supported for more than a decade. Step Up is a mentorship organization that works with teenage girls and young women, helping them build confidence and pursue their goals. Bowen was first honored by the organization back in 2013 and has served on the event’s honorary host committee since.
Julie Bowen Has a ‘Smart and Funny’ New Boyfriend — but She’s Keeping His Identity a Secret for Now (Exclusive) https://t.co/yuN2zJjG8H
— People (@people) September 26, 2026
This year’s ceremony at the Skirball Cultural Center also honored Demi Moore, Becky G, Ali Larter, and Priah Ferguson.
When asked about her personal life during the event, Bowen was characteristically understated. She referred to her boyfriend simply as “a lovely friend.” She did not share his name, what he does for a living, or how long they have been together.
What she did share was what drew her to him. Bowen told PEOPLE that intelligence and humor are the two qualities she values most in a partner. Looks, she said, do not rank nearly as high.
She also acknowledged that her boyfriend happens to be good-looking, but she was clear about what actually matters to her: “I like the brains.”
What Julie Bowen Said About Her Mystery Boyfriend
Bowen’s description of her new partner was brief, but it told a very specific story about what she values at this point in her life.
She prioritized character over celebrity. Julie did not describe her boyfriend through his job title or his social status. She described him through the qualities that make their conversations work. That is a notable shift from the kind of relationship commentary that typically comes out of Hollywood.
Here is a summary of what she shared:
| Detail | What Bowen Said |
|---|---|
| How she referred to him | “A lovely friend” |
| Top qualities she values | “Smart and funny” |
| Her stance on physical appearance | “I don’t care what people look like” |
| Whether he is good-looking | “He happens to be good-looking” |
| What she prioritizes | “I like the brains” |
| His identity | Not revealed |
| How long they have been together | Not disclosed |
The fact that she kept his identity private should not be surprising. Bowen has handled her personal life this way for years. Even during her 13-year marriage to Scott Phillips, she rarely invited the press into their home life. That instinct to protect the people closest to her seems to have carried forward into this new chapter.
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Julie Bowen and Scott Phillips: A Timeline of Their Marriage and Divorce
To understand why Bowen’s new relationship feels so significant, it helps to look at what came before.
Bowen married real estate investor and software developer Scott Phillips on September 9, 2004. For the next 13 years, they raised a family while Bowen’s career hit its peak. Their first son, Oliver, was born in April 2007. Twins John and Gustav followed in May 2009, arriving during the same period Bowen began filming the pilot for Modern Family.
By most public accounts, Phillips was a supportive presence during Bowen’s ascent. He attended Emmy ceremonies with her, walked red carpets alongside her, and largely stayed out of the spotlight by choice.
The first sign of trouble came in February 2018, when PEOPLE reported the couple had separated. Days later, TMZ confirmed Bowen had filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in September 2018. The couple agreed to split their reported $25.3 million in assets evenly.
Timeline of Key Moments:
- September 2004 — Julie Bowen and Scott Phillips marry
- April 2007 — Son Oliver born
- May 2009 — Twins John and Gustav born
- September 2009 — Modern Family premieres on ABC
- February 2018 — Separation reported; Bowen files for divorce
- September 2018 — Divorce finalized; assets split evenly
- January 2022 — Bowen tells The Ellen Show she is “retired” from dating
- January 2023 — Bowen tells Drew Barrymore she is happy being single
- September 2026 — Bowen confirms new boyfriend at Step Up Awards
Despite the split, Bowen has consistently spoken well of Phillips. In a 2020 interview with Us Weekly, she said she was “very good friends” with her ex-husband and that co-parenting their sons remained the priority. On the “All Good Things” podcast in 2022, she described their dynamic as “chill,” though she also admitted on her own “Quitters” podcast the same year that the divorce itself was “really painful.”
Why Bowen Spent Eight Years Away From Public Dating
Bowen did not just step away from relationships after her divorce. She very publicly declared herself done with the entire concept.
During a 2022 appearance on The Ellen Show with guest host Adam Devine, she was blunt about it. She said she was “very single” and announced that she had “retired” from dating. The dog, Gertrude Stein, was her self-appointed retirement gift.
She did leave one exception open. When Devine asked if she would come out of retirement for anyone, Bowen pointed to a photo of Harry Styles on the studio screen. That got a laugh, but the underlying message was real: she was not actively looking.
By January 2023, her tone on The Drew Barrymore Show was similar but a bit softer. When Barrymore asked where Bowen stood personally, she answered simply: “I like where I am. I’m single. You know, working, who has the time?”
That interview also produced one of the more memorable dating stories Bowen has ever told publicly. She recalled spending her junior year at Brown University studying in Italy and coming home with an Italian boyfriend named Fabio. The relationship, she said, worked much better in Italy than it did back in the United States.
Bowen’s approach to being single was never bitter or dramatic. She focused on her three sons, her work, and her friendships, particularly her close bond with Modern Family co-star Sofia Vergara. When Vergara went through her own divorce from Joe Manganiello in 2023, Bowen was among the first to publicly support her. She even commented on one of Vergara’s Instagram posts, writing that her co-star was “what single and fire looks like.”
The fact that Bowen went from dating retirement to quietly confirming a boyfriend in the span of a few years suggests the right person showed up when she was not looking for one.
Bowen’s Career Has Been Just as Busy as Her Personal Life
The years since her divorce have been some of the busiest of Julie Bowen career, which may partly explain why dating took a backseat.
Most people know Bowen as Claire Dunphy on Modern Family, the ABC sitcom that ran for 11 seasons from 2009 to 2020. Her performance earned her six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She won twice, in 2011 and 2012, cementing her place as one of television’s strongest comedic talents.
But Bowen’s career started long before Modern Family. She got her first on-screen credit in 1992, appeared in Happy Gilmore alongside Adam Sandler in 1996, and played Carol Vessey on the NBC series Ed from 2000 to 2004. She later joined the cast of Boston Legal for two seasons before landing the role that would define her public image.
After Modern Family ended, Bowen stayed active. She starred in Peacock’s thriller series Hysteria! in 2024, playing suburban mom Linda Campbell, a character dealing with supernatural disturbances during the Satanic Panic of the 1980s. It was a deliberate departure from comedy. Bowen told USA Insider at the time that she wanted to try something different and that the role tested her in ways Claire Dunphy never had.
In 2025, Bowen reprised her role as Virginia Venit in Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix. The sequel brought her back alongside Adam Sandler nearly 30 years after the original. Bowen admitted in a Variety interview that she never expected to be asked back. She assumed the production would cast a younger actress. Instead, Sandler wanted the original cast, and Bowen’s character was written as Happy Gilmore’s wife.
Her production company, Bowen & Sons, which she launched in 2021, also has a first-look deal with Universal Television.
Career Highlights at a Glance:
| Year | Project | Role/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Loving (TV) | First on-screen credit |
| 1996 | Happy Gilmore | Virginia Venit |
| 2000–2004 | Ed (NBC) | Carol Vessey |
| 2005–2008 | Boston Legal (ABC) | Denise Bauer |
| 2009–2020 | Modern Family (ABC) | Claire Dunphy |
| 2011 | 63rd Primetime Emmys | Won Outstanding Supporting Actress (Comedy) |
| 2012 | 64th Primetime Emmys | Won Outstanding Supporting Actress (Comedy) |
| 2021 | Bowen & Sons | Launched production company |
| 2024 | Hysteria! (Peacock) | Linda Campbell |
| 2025 | Happy Gilmore 2 (Netflix) | Virginia Venit (reprise) |
Motherhood, Empty Nesting, and What Comes Next for Bowen
Bowen’s family life is shifting, too, and that context matters when understanding where she is right now.
Her eldest son, Oliver, is 19 and currently a student at the University of Oregon. When she dropped him off for his freshman year, she shared an emotional Instagram post that struck a chord with parents everywhere. She wrote about the surreal feeling of leaving her firstborn at college when it felt like he had been born “five minutes ago.”
She joked to Entertainment Weekly that the house became “30% more quiet” after Oliver left. But the emotion beneath the humor was real. She described letting go of a child as “the hardest thing a parent has the privilege of doing.”
Her twins, John and Gustav, are 17. She still has a few years before the house is fully empty, but the transition is clearly on her mind.
Bowen has always been candid about the unglamorous side of raising teenage boys. In a 2018 interview, she joked that her sons were “terrible dates” because “they never pay, and they always just stiff me.” She also mentioned that she steals their clothes, particularly their high-tops.
With Oliver away and the twins growing up fast, it makes sense that Bowen might have more room in her life for a relationship. She did not frame the new romance as a response to empty nesting. But the timing lines up with a woman whose daily responsibilities are starting to shift.
How Bowen’s Approach to Love Has Changed Over Time
One of the most interesting threads in Bowen’s public comments about relationships is how her priorities have evolved.
During her marriage to Phillips, most of her public remarks about love were light and humorous. She joked about the monotony of long-term partnership and made self-deprecating remarks about the day-to-day grind of raising three kids while working on a hit television show.
After the divorce, she became more reflective. She admitted the split was painful. She talked about learning to be on her own again. And in a moment of surprising openness on her “Quitters” podcast in 2022, she discussed her sexuality, saying she identifies as straight but was once in love with a woman who did not return her feelings. It was the kind of honest, unscripted comment that most celebrities avoid, and Bowen delivered it without making it into a big moment.
Now, at 56, her description of what she wants in a partner is straightforward. Smart. Funny. Everything else is secondary.
That clarity is something a lot of people, famous or not, only arrive at after going through a difficult breakup and spending serious time alone. Bowen seems to have done that work quietly, without public fanfare, and come out the other side knowing exactly what matters to her.
Bowen’s Ongoing Philanthropy and Public Influence
Bowen’s appearance at the Step Up Inspiration Awards was not just the backdrop for her relationship reveal. It was a reflection of where she chooses to spend her time and energy.
She has been involved with Step Up Women’s Network since at least 2013, when she was honored at their annual awards. The organization provides mentorship to girls from under-resourced communities, connecting them with professional women who can help guide their career paths.
Bowen also serves on the board of directors for Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides essential items to families living in poverty. She has supported Stand Up to Cancer, March of Dimes, and several other charitable organizations over the years.
Her philanthropic work has remained steady regardless of what was happening in her personal life. That consistency is worth noting, because it paints a picture of someone whose identity is built on more than just her career or her relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Julie Bowen’s new boyfriend in 2026?
Bowen has not revealed her boyfriend’s identity. She confirmed the relationship at Step Up’s 2026 Inspiration Awards on September 25, describing her partner as “smart and funny” but choosing to keep his name private. She referred to him only as “a lovely friend.”
Why did Julie Bowen and Scott Phillips get divorced?
Bowen filed for divorce from Phillips in February 2018, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in September 2018. The couple agreed to split their reported $25.3 million in assets evenly. Both have maintained a positive co-parenting relationship since the split.
How many children does Julie Bowen have?
Bowen has three sons with her ex-husband Scott Phillips. Oliver, born in April 2007, is now 19 and attending the University of Oregon. Twins John and Gustav, born in May 2009, are 17.
What has Julie Bowen been working on recently?
In 2024, Bowen starred in Hysteria!, a Satanic Panic thriller on Peacock. In 2025, she reprised her role as Virginia Venit in Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix alongside Adam Sandler. She also runs her production company, Bowen & Sons, under a first-look deal with Universal Television.
Is Julie Bowen still close with her Modern Family co-stars?
Yes. Bowen has maintained close friendships with several Modern Family cast members, most notably Sofia Vergara and Ty Burrell. She attended a University of Oregon football game with Burrell in October 2025, and she publicly supported Vergara following her divorce from Joe Manganiello in 2023.
What is Step Up Women’s Network?
Step Up is a nonprofit mentorship organization that connects professional women with teenage girls from under-resourced communities. The organization hosts its annual Inspiration Awards in Los Angeles to honor women who use their platforms to empower the next generation. Bowen has supported Step Up since at least 2013.
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Last Updated on September 28, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
