When did Rico Rodriguez’s father pass away? Modern Family actor recounts his co-stars emotionally supporting him during Season 9

Modern Family alum Rico Rodriguez credits his co-stars with helping him navigate grief after his father's demise.

Rico Rodriguez, who played Manny on the famed TV show, lost his father, Roy Rodriguez, at the age of 52. He announced his demise in a post on Instagram on March 12, 2017, referring to him as "a superhero."

"This has been the toughest week of my life. My Dad was the most kind hearted, loving, hard working, determined, and funny man I have ever known. He was like a super hero, he had the ability to get the best out of you day in and day out. I'm gonna miss your hugs. I'm gonna miss your advice. I'm gonna miss your smile, and I'm gonna miss your laugh. I know you're looking down at us right now giving us the green light to move forward. I miss you Daddy. I'll love you forever - Your youngest," he penned at the time.

During a recent episode of his co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Dinner's on Me podcast, Rico Rodriguez got candid about how his co-stars supported him through his grief when he wasn't even 18 years old at the time.

"I was very, very young. And so it was kinda crazy because on the final episode of that [eighth] season was Manny graduating. And there was this really amazing scene between me and Ed," Rico Rodriguez said, referring to Ed O'Neill, who played Manny's stepfather in the show. "At the end of it, he pours me a little thing of scotch and he's like, 'You know, I think of you as being my kid.' And I'm like, 'You're my dad.' It's really an amazing scene. And that was the last episode, and then we wrapped."

Rico Rodriguez recalls wanting to quit Modern Family after his dad died: Read more

Rico Rodriguez revealed that his father died when the show was on a break, and when the time came for negotiations for the next season, he had to helm it all by himself, without his dad, who he said "always led the charge for us."

"There was a point where I actually thought, you know, I don't know if I wanna come back," he admitted. "Because, I don't know, I mean, the patriarch of our family is gone, and he was the biggest motivator. He was all of our ideas. So there was a point where I was like, you know what? Maybe I don't wanna come back and I wanna hold off because I don't know if I can."

Eventually, he decided that taking a step back from the show would be "doing [his dad] a disservice," and he also thought of his castmates, which "really, really made it easier knowing I was coming back to my other family." When he did come back for the first table read of the ninth season, Rico Rodriguez said:

"I stood up there and I looked at everybody and I couldn't help but cry and get emotional because my dad passed in March and then in July, we're starting right up again. And it was like, man, being here, it helps me. It's helping me just because I know how much love you guys have given me over the years. Knowing that I had you guys to be there with, to uplift me, and just have a good time, it really made my decision a lot easier to for sure come back."

Local news station KBTX reported back in March 2017 that Roy was the owner of a tire shop, Rodriguez Tire Service, in Brazos County, Texas. He also served as the cofounder and president of La Compania Car Club in Bryan, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Diane, and his children, Raini, Roy Jr, Ray, and Rico Rodriguez.

Raini, a former Disney child star actress, also took to Instagram at the time to mourn her father's passing, as she penned in a statement:

"You have officially been gone one week daddy and while it has been really difficult, we are all still standing tall and I know it's because you are sending us strength and guidance all the way from heaven. My daddy was the greatest man in my life. His work ethic and sense of humor were two of his greatest characteristics, both of which he shared with me. He has taught me so many life lessons and inspired me constantly to follow my dreams. I know you will continue to shine down on me, momma, Rico, Ray, Poppi and baby and we will be ok! I promise to make you proud daddy. I will love and miss you forever. - Your one and only baby girl"

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