Eric Stonestreet Hid His Type 2 Diabetes From Almost Everyone: Only His On-Screen Husband Knew
Stonestreet is now a spokesperson for Eli Lilly, the company that manufactures Mounjaro, and wants to raise awareness about Type 2 diabetes, as well as how Mounjaro can help manage it. But he didn't always feel this positive about his diagnosis…
The actor confessed that he was initially diagnosed back in 2009, coincidentally the same year Modern Family premiered. He told People that aside from Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who played his on-screen husband Mitch, no one else on the cast knew about his diagnosis. "I would dare say the only person probably in the cast that would even know I had Type 2 diabetes is Jesse. It's not anything I ever talked about," Stonestreet recalled.
He went on to say that he hid the diagnosis from his colleagues and loved ones because he was "ashamed," saying: "I just kind of was ashamed and embarrassed, because, 'Of course, a guy that looks like me has Type 2 diabetes.' That's what everybody thinks. 'That's what you get for looking like you and eating like you,' or whatever."
Eric also revealed that he kept his diagnosis from his fiancée, Lindsay Schweitzer, in the early years of their relationship, and recalled: "I would hide my injectables and my pills from her. I didn't want her to open the fridge and see something in there."
Eric Stonestreet Calls Mounjaro 'A Game Changer'
Things reportedly changed in 2022 after his doctor recommended Mounjaro – and now Eric isn't looking back!
"I just never talked to anybody about it. I was embarrassed, so I just kind of kept it to myself. Now, I'm talking about it, and I hope other people will do the same thing," he told the publication.
He went on to tell People that he is making the most of the benefits of the medication, saying: "It's a game changer. It has just been incredible. It's changed my lifestyle, changed my approach to eating, changed my approach to exercise. I felt like, well, if I don't do something along with it, I'm disappointing it. I'm letting it down."
He Has 'Dropped A Substantial Amount Of Weight'
Stonestreet says that while the medication played a role in his health improving and his weight dropping, he's also made a conscious effort to adopt healthier habits to ensure the weight stays off and he remains as fit as possible.
"Here these people have invented this incredible thing that clearly does its part. Now I need to contribute my part," Stonestreet said, adding: "And it turns out that when you do that and make some really great choices, weight loss is also a byproduct of that."
He noted that it took him a while to see the weight loss benefits after starting the medication, but now the positive changes it has made to his health, appearance, and lifestyle are impossible to miss! "I kind of was at the same weight for many years," he admitted, "but then in the last year when I started to really contribute more to it, I've dropped a substantial amount of weight."
He also proudly revealed to the pub that he recently walked 4.4 miles through New York City, which he admitted he never could have done before taking the medication. "There's a pep in my step. And I notice it walking through the airport with my bags. I'm just lighter on my feet. It feels good. I mean, everyone's experienced that. You lose a couple pounds and you feel better."