Sarah Hyland is an American actress and singer best known for her 11-season role as Haley Dunphy on ABC’s Modern Family, where she earned four Screen Actors Guild Awards alongside her cast. Born November 24, 1990, in Manhattan, New York, she began acting at age four and built a multimillion-dollar career spanning film, television, theater, and music. In August 2022, she married Wells Adams, a radio personality and former Bachelor in Paradise contestant, after they met on social media in 2017.
Beyond entertainment, Hyland advocates for kidney health awareness following two kidney transplants, making her voice heard on causes close to her heart.
Who is Sarah Hyland?
Sarah Hyland represents a rare combination—child star turned Hollywood mainstay with genuine staying power. Her breakthrough role as Haley Dunphy, the blonde daughter in the dysfunctional Dunphy family, made her a household name while Modern Family dominated network television for over a decade.
The actress expanded beyond the sitcom with film roles including Vampire Academy (2014), Scary Movie 5 (2013), and The Wedding Year (2019). She also ventured into music, releasing the single “Met At a Party” in 2019 and performing covers of popular songs. Her 7.6 million Instagram followers demonstrate her cultural influence extending far beyond the small screen.
Sarah Hyland Biography / Wike
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Sarah Jane Hyland |
| Date of Birth | November 24, 1990 |
| Age (2026) | 35 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Manhattan, New York, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Singer, Producer |
| Years Active | 1994–Present (acting since age 4) |
| Marital Status | Married to Wells Adams (August 20, 2022) |
| Children | None (as of 2026) |
Early Life and Background
Sarah grew up in Manhattan in a theatrical family where performance and creativity were second nature. Her father, Edward James Hyland, worked as both a teacher and film actor, while her mother, Melissa Canaday, served as a stage acting coach. This household environment made entertainment feel like a natural path rather than an unusual choice.
Her parents recognized her talent early and enrolled her in training programs. She started dance training at age three and vocal lessons at age seven, building skills that would become her foundation in the entertainment industry. By age four, she landed her first acting role in a Pizza Hut commercial, launching a career that would span more than three decades.
Despite early career success, Sarah faced significant personal challenges. At age nine, doctors diagnosed her with kidney dysplasia, a congenital condition affecting kidney function. This diagnosis shaped her resilience and later became central to her advocacy work.
Sarah Hyland Education
Sarah attended the Professional Performing Arts School in New York, an elite institution for young performers. This specialized secondary school environment combined rigorous academics with dedicated arts training, preparing her for a professional acting career.
Her education extended beyond traditional classroom settings. Formal theater training, voice lessons, and dance instruction comprised a significant part of her development, providing both technical skills and disciplinary habits. At age 18, she made the decisive move to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time, leaving formal education behind to pursue her professional career.
Sarah Hyland Profession
Sarah works exclusively as an actress and entertainer, spanning multiple mediums. Her primary income comes from television and film acting, though she expanded into music, producing, and hosting projects. During Modern Family, she earned between $70,000 and $130,000 per episode depending on the season, with her salary rising as the show progressed.
Sarah Hyland Career Journey
Child Actress Years (1994–2008)
Sarah booked her first acting role at age four in a Pizza Hut commercial, beginning a journey that would define her childhood. By age seven, she performed on Broadway in Annie, earning major theater credentials while still in elementary school.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, she accumulated television and film credits that built her professional résumé. She appeared in Private Parts (1997) as Howard Stern’s daughter, The Object of My Affection (1998) alongside Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd, and shows including Law & Order, Touched by an Angel, and Law & Order: SVU. These early roles established her as a serious young actress capable of handling both comedic and dramatic material.
The Modern Family Breakthrough (2009–2020)
At age 18, Sarah moved to Los Angeles and auditioned for a new sitcom pilot called My American Family. The show received a green light and changed its title to Modern Family, premiering on ABC in September 2009.
Her portrayal of Haley Dunphy—a lovable but shallow character navigating life, relationships, and eventually entrepreneurship—earned her widespread recognition. The show became a cultural phenomenon, winning multiple Emmy Awards and maintaining strong ratings throughout its 11-season run.
It is worth noting that Hyland earned four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series alongside her castmates, receiving this prestigious recognition annually from 2011 to 2014, according to SAG records.
In 2017, she negotiated a significant pay raise alongside other cast members, earning over $100,000 per episode by the show’s final seasons. By 2020, her weekly earnings reached $130,000 per episode, totaling approximately $3.1 million per season.
Film and Music Ventures (2010–2020)
While filming Modern Family, Sarah pursued additional projects including the Disney film Geek Charming (2011), Struck by Lightning (2012), Vampire Academy (2014), and Scary Movie 5 (2013). These films demonstrated her range beyond sitcom comedy.
Her stage acting continued with performances in productions like Hair, Bad Girls, and most notably Grey Gardens, where she played Jackie Bouvier, showcasing her dramatic abilities. In 2019, she entered the music industry, releasing the single “Met At a Party” at the Teen Choice Awards and performing covers of popular songs.
Post-Modern Family Projects (2020–Present)
Following Modern Family’s finale, Hyland hosted Amazon Freevee’s Play-Doh Squished and appeared in various streaming and television projects. She expanded into producing alongside her acting work, maintaining relevance in an evolving entertainment landscape.
Sarah Hyland Height & Appearance
Sarah stands 5’1″ (155 cm) with naturally dark brown hair and green eyes. Her petite frame often contrasted with her costars on Modern Family, particularly tall actors like Eric Stonestreet. She maintains an athletic figure through regular fitness routines, sharing health-conscious content on social media.
Her signature style evolved from the blonde, fashion-conscious Haley Dunphy look to more varied personal presentation, though she retains her youthful appearance despite being in her mid-thirties.
Relationship with Wells Adams
Sarah first noticed Wells Adams while he competed on The Bachelorette season 12 in 2016, openly admitting her crush on the television personality. They flirted on Twitter in 2016 but didn’t officially connect until fall 2017.
Their relationship began online, with Adams moving from his home base of Nashville to Los Angeles to live with Hyland after nearly a year of dating. The couple surprised fans by dressing as Stranger Things characters for Halloween 2017, and documented their relationship across social media.
In July 2019, Adams proposed during a tropical vacation after nearly two years of dating. The couple originally planned to marry in August 2020, but postponed multiple times due to COVID-19 concerns. They finally married on August 20, 2022, at Sunstone Winery near Santa Barbara, California, with Modern Family costars Sofia Vergara, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson in attendance.
A significant aspect of their relationship involves Adams’s support during Hyland’s health challenges. She underwent a kidney transplant just three days after meeting Adams in person in 2017, with Adams providing crucial emotional support during recovery.
Sarah Hyland Family
| Relationship | Details |
| Husband | Wells Adams (married August 20, 2022) |
| Father | Edward James Hyland (Teacher, Film Actor) |
| Mother | Melissa Canaday (Stage Acting Coach) |
| Siblings | Ian Hyland (Brother) |
| Children | None as of 2026 |
| Pet(s) | Multiple dogs featured on social media |
Health Challenges and Family Support
Sarah was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia at age nine, a congenital condition affecting kidney development. In April 2012, she underwent her first kidney transplant using a kidney donated by her father. She has had approximately ten surgeries throughout her life to manage her kidney condition.
In 2017, shortly after meeting Wells Adams, she underwent her second kidney transplant. The timing was remarkable—she had the procedure just three days after their first in-person meeting. Adams remained by her side through recovery, demonstrating the strength of their nascent relationship.
Her openness about kidney dysplasia and transplants inspired millions of people dealing with similar health challenges. She leveraged her platform to raise awareness about organ donation and kidney health advocacy.
Sarah Hyland Net Worth
Sarah Hyland’s net worth reaches $14 million as of 2026, accumulated through her 11-season run on Modern Family and additional entertainment ventures.
Income Sources
Television Salary: Modern Family provided her primary earnings, with compensation ranging from $70,000 per episode in early seasons to $130,000 per episode by the series’ end.
Film & Streaming Projects: Movies like Vampire Academy, Scary Movie 5, and television appearances contributed additional income.
Music Releases: Her single “Met At a Party” and music covers generated revenue through streaming platforms.
Endorsement Deals: Partnerships with brands like Nintendo, OP Clothing, Olay, and others added to her wealth.
Real Estate: She owns multiple properties including a $3.55 million Studio City home purchased in 2020 and previously owned properties in Valley Village and the Hollywood Hills.
Real Estate Portfolio
Sarah and Wells purchased a 5,672 square-foot Studio City home in 2020 for $3.55 million, featuring a pool and private movie theater. She previously owned a Valley Village property costing $1.9 million and earlier purchased a Hollywood Hills home for $715,000 in 2013. She later sold a Hollywood Hills property for $4.2 million.
Sarah Hyland Movies and Television
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | Private Parts | Howard Stern’s Daughter | Film debut |
| 1998 | The Object of My Affection | Minor role | With Jennifer Aniston |
| 1999 | Annie | Molly | TV film |
| 2007 | Blind Date | Minor role | |
| 2011 | Geek Charming | Dylan Schoenfield | Disney film |
| 2012 | Struck by Lightning | Claire Matthews | |
| 2013 | Scary Movie 5 | Mia | Parody horror |
| 2014 | Vampire Academy | Natalie Dashkov | Fantasy-comedy adaptation |
| 2016 | Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Gotham City Breakout | Batgirl (voice) | Voice acting |
| 2019 | The Wedding Year | | |
Television
- Modern Family (2009–2020) — Haley Dunphy, lead role; 11 seasons; 4 SAG Awards
- Lipstick Jungle (2009) — Supporting role before Modern Family expanded
- Hot in Cleveland — Guest appearance
- Shadowhunters — Guest appearance
- Veronica Mars (reboot) — Guest appearance
- Play-Doh Squished (2022) — Host, Amazon Freevee
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