Sarah Hyland was born on November 24, 1990, in Manhattan, one of New York City’s boroughs. Her parents were actors, Melissa Canaday and Edward Hyland. Her birth name is Sarah Jane Hyland. She gained widespread popularity after her role in the TV series Modern Family (character Haley Dunphy). Additionally, Hyland became well-known for her appearances in films such as Scary Movie 5, The Wedding Year and Vampire Academy. Read more at manhattanka.
Short biography and filmography of the actress
She began acting at the age of 4, appearing in commercials and providing voice overs for films. Her first movie was Private Parts (produced in 1997), followed by The Object of My Affection (1998) and Another World (1997-1998). In the latter, she played the role of Rain Wolfe, a child found in a park and taken in by Josie and Gary. Sarah worked several times with Amy Carlson (“Josie” in Another World ): Falcone (2000), Law & Order (1990) and Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005). Sarah got the part of the young Audrey Hepburn in Jennifer Hewitt’s film The Audrey Hepburn Story (2000). That same year, she played Molly in the ABC series Annie (1999) starring Kathy Bates, Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming, Victor Garber and Kristin Chenoweth, as well as in Joe Gould’s Secret (2000) and Falcone (2000).
In addition to her work in film and television, Sarah studied vocals, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap dance and theatrical dance. She performed on stage at the Reel to Real festival at Lincoln Center as a guest performer.
Photo source: social networks.
Move to Los Angeles and star role in the series
Sarah was born and raised in Manhattan. She spent much time working in film and television and voiced numerous radio commercials. She also traveled with her father, as he worked in various theaters across the country. By second grade, she was homeschooled by her mother and later attended public school. In sixth grade, she was accepted into PPAS (the Professional Performing Arts School), where she studied until her graduation in 2008. When Sarah turned 18, she moved to Los Angeles and, within two weeks, launched a pilot project called My American Family. After it was picked up, the title was changed to Modern Family (2009). To this day, Sarah portrays Haley Dunphy, the eldest child of the Dunphy family. The sitcom has received numerous awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Before moving to Los Angeles, Sarah appeared in many movies and on TV. At the age of 11.5, she made her stage debut at the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, in the lead role of “Annie.” Subsequently, Sarah played in many theatrical productions, including “Bad Girls,” “Dark Side of the Forest” and “Grey Gardens”, where she played Jackie Bouvier. The latter production was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical. Christine Ebersole and Mary Wilson won the Tony Awards for Best Actress and Best Featured Actress for their performances. William Long received an award for costume design. Sarah also participated in numerous development workshops, including “A Little Princess,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Shrek,” just to name a few.
Photo source: social networks.
Sarah has worked with some of the best talents in the industry: T. Robbins, Stanley Tucci, Ian Holm, S. Martin, John Turturro, Hope Davis, Keir Dullea, F. Fisher, Brooke Shields, Kim Raver, Lindsay Price, T. Busfield and many other incredible figures. She starred in the series Touched by an Angel (1994), Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005) and twice in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999). The latter brought her a breakthrough in her career. In it, she played Jennifer Banks, a gifted school student who, under the influence of drugs, kills her roommate.
Her work in Lipstick Jungle (2008) as Brooke Shields’ daughter further showcased the actress’s talent. After the end of the project, fate led Sarah to Los Angeles to the role of Haley Dunphy in Modern Family.
Sarah has a Maltipoo dog named Barkley and happily lives in Los Angeles. She is the face of the brand Wallflower Jeans. Her brother, Ian Hyland, is also an actor. Most people think he is older, but actually, he is four years younger than her. Her father is a theater and film actor living in New York City, while her mother is an acting coach for young actors.
Health issues and suicidal thoughts
At the age of 9, she was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia. Her kidneys did not develop properly while she was in her mother’s womb and often formed painful cysts. In April 2012, she needed a kidney transplant. Her father donated one of his kidneys, but in October 2016, her body began to reject the organ. She underwent various tests and treatments in an attempt to save the kidney, but none of them worked. She started regular dialysis, which led to significant weight loss.
Photo source: social networks.
In May 2017, doctors removed the transplanted kidney, and her younger brother Ian offered his kidney. This time, it worked. However, she felt depressed due to her health issues and contemplated suicide. In September 2017, she underwent a second kidney transplant, but her health problems did not end there. She also had endometriosis and the pain became unbearable. Additionally, she had an abdominal hernia, which was not diagnosed earlier. This resulted in new surgeries: six in 16 months and a total of 16 throughout her life, including a laparoscopic operation to remove endometriosis and another one to remove the hernia.
During a TV interview, she admitted that she was a little nervous that she might not get into college. She said that she had promised her school friends that she would only temporarily postpone her education, but after a successful Broadway debut, her career in television and film took off. Now, she doesn’t dare to stop working, fearing that she might break her lucky streak.
She is one of the few actors who have appeared in three or more series of the Law & Order franchise.
Sarah became very close with the stars of Modern Family, especially Julie Bowen, Ariel Winter and Adam DeVine.
Quotes
“When I was a child, I was unable to go to any type of sleepaway summer camp because of health issues. Once I learned about the Lopez Foundation, I knew I wanted to get involved, send kids with kidney disease away to camp so they can still experience overnight camp with medical needs at hand.”
Photo source: social networks.
“I wish I was taller or curvier, but I’m happy with the way I look.”
“I love living in L.A. It’s quieter. It’s much more relaxing. I’m living in a house for the first time ever. I have a backyard for the first time ever; a dog for the first time ever. So it’s a lot of firsts, and I love it so much. It’s just so different. It’s a nice change of pace.”
“I think success right now is not about how famous you are or how much you’re getting paid, but it’s more about if you’re steadily working and you’re happy with what you’re doing.”
Personal life
Sarah Hyland dated actor Matt Prokop from 2009 until September 2014. They met at an audition for the film High School Musical: Graduation. On September 19, 2014, Matt was served with a temporary restraining order so he could not approach Hyland after a series of threats and harassment (over the course of two years).
Photo source: social networks.
In October 2017, the actress began dating Bachelor in Paradise star Wells Adams. The couple got engaged in July 2019, but their wedding, scheduled for August 2020, was postponed due to COVID-19. After several canceled wedding dates, they finally married in August 2022. The ceremony took place at a vineyard. Among the celebrity guests were close friends Vanessa Hudgens, Sofia Vergara and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.