Eric Stonestreet is looking for love on Tinder: sad or why not?

Premiere of HBO Films' 'Confirmation' - Arrivals
In “celebrities are just like us” news, Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet admitted on Tuesday’s Ellen that he is using the dating app Tinder. Eric, who plays the slightly flamboyant Cam on the hit ABC series, was recently linked with Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel. Bethenny admitted later to the Today show that she was sowing her wild oats and was just “having a really good time” after the demise of her marriage. I knew that wasn’t going to work, I don’t think you could get a more random pairing unless you were playing “Celebrity Mad Libs” or something.

But, hey, back to Eric. He stopped by Ellen to discuss his role in the upcoming HBO political drama Confirmation, which takes a closer look at the 1991 Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill scandal. Eric admitted to Ellen that he wasn’t a stranger to online dating. He also alluded that it’s just as tough for an actor on an award-winning sitcom to get a date as you or me.

Now I’ve done Bumble and I’ve tried this other one and the way I justify it, Ellen, is I shouldn’t be because I’m on TV, I shouldn’t be eliminated from participating in what’s going on in the world. But people are always like, ‘I can’t believe you’re on a dating app.’ It’s like well ya know, I very rarely meet people because I get nervous.

[From ellentube]

Aww. I love this guy and, while I’m sad he’s using Tinder, because it represents all that is evil in the world of online relationships, I hope he manages to find love. He seems like a fun guy to hang out with and I love that he’s representing a positive gay character and relationship on TV. And, if you like Eric and drag queens (and who doesn’t love drag queens?), check him out in the 2003 cult flick Girls Will Be Girls. You’re welcome. At least on this Ellen appearance, she didn’t scare the crap out of Eric like she usually does, although his reaction always cracks me up. Here’s hoping you get a lot of right swipes, Mr. Stonestreet!

Premiere of HBO Films' 'Confirmation' - Arrivals


Photo credit: Getty Images, WENN.com

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61 Responses to “Eric Stonestreet is looking for love on Tinder: sad or why not?”

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  1. Amanda says:

    I knew a girl who dated him and said he was the nicest guy, so I wish him luck.

    And I don’t think “resorting to Tinder” is a bad thing. I think that’s a bit insulting. I met my husband on Match. There’s so much stigma about meeting other people online. I have many “normal” friends on Tinder.

    • Snazzy says:

      yes! I met Mr Snazzy on Meetic – nothing to be ashamed of! At least we’re not 🙂
      I wish him well, hopefully he’ll find someone nice

    • Kristen says:

      I read that as a dig at Tinder specifically, not online dating in general. Isn’t Tinder based entirely on looks? You swipe one way to pass, the other way if you find the person physically attractive?

      • Sally says:

        Tinder is but you can write some stuff like your profession or where you went to college. Regardless, studies have shown that men pretty much only look at the women’s pics before messaging her no matter what the dating site or app is. Unfortunately attractive ppl def win in online dating ( as in they statistically get more messages). There’s an interesting article by OK Cupid and an entire freakonimics podcast devoted to it.

      • detritus says:

        I never understood Tinder. Other online dating makes so much more sense.

        A male friend of mine joined after not having much luck in meeting new people. He is funny, smart, charming, has a lovely job, but his looks are not his strongest suit. It seemed so strange to me to join a platform that reduces you to looks only. Regular online dating seems so much smarter and better than regular meeting people because you have background info.
        Tinder seems like a step back. I feel like Stonestreet made the same bad choice my friend did. except in Hollywood where people are even more judgey about looks.

      • Kristen says:

        Yeah, I’ve never used Tinder, but have heard it described as being a hookup app. Not really the type to use if you’re looking for a legit relationship.

        Back in the day, I had decent success with Match. I know quite a few people who have successful relationships/marriages that began online, and it’s really not nearly as taboo as it once was (in my circle, anyway).

      • Kitten says:

        I never understood Tinder either. Most superficial nonsense I’ve ever seen. Then again, I’m all about reading profiles so…

        I met my BF online too and I see absolutely nothing with online dating. The stigma is entirely gone at this point because pretty much every single person I know does it and I have four close friends who met their husband/wife online.
        *shrugs*

      • crtb says:

        I agree with what almost everyone said about Tinder. a hook up site for young people. I wonder why he doesn’t hire a professional match maker?

      • isabelle says:

        I’ve been told a lot of people do Tinder because they don’t need to fill out the long arse forms. One of my friends said he felt the fill out forms, you can lie your butt off.

      • Lex says:

        I found the opposite to be true for me personally.

        The online sites where they ask you millions of questions were the worst. I would end up rejecting someone for an answer to a question I would literally never ever ask them.
        Stupid things like ‘ would you date a girl who didn’t shave’ – if they say ‘no’ I’m all “well HELL no I’ll never go out with them!!!”
        And more extreme examples. Some things are great for compatibility – morals and religion and ethics and such… but I think knowing ‘too much’ is a great way to end a relationship before it has begun.
        I’d find out things that I would never know, or wouldn’t be an issue if I were invested in the person… and I found it really creepy to know up front what someone’s deepest feelings were.

        So using Tinder was a quick way to sort out who you were attracted to – you chat a bit. If they can’t spell or are terrible you can quickly delete. It’s more time efficient for me! I wouldn’t go out with someone I wasn’t attracted to so it just helps me get there faster. Not for everyone, for sure.

        You can call it shallow, but it’s really the same as meeting someone out in public – if someone you find unattractive (either looks or personality wise) approaches you in public (at a bar, at the movies, at the park) and you’re not interested, you’ll rebuff. You don’t know anything about them but are going with your gut. How is it different?

      • Ange says:

        I know a few successful tinder couples, including one whose wedding I’m attending next year. It’s how you use it, they went in knowing exactly what they wanted and didn’t compromise by settling for hookup type people.

      • SKF says:

        The reason Tinder is so popular is that men cannot contact you unless you both “like” each other. I tried a traditional dating app first, and unless I paid a fair bit of money, anyone on there could contact me. In a week
        and a half I had thousands of messages from thousands of guys. It was just too much!! I had set parameters like an age range, non-smoking, etc, and they all just ignored it. Tinder is free and no one can contact you unless you have both swiped right. Initially it was more for hook-ups, but as more women joined it turned into dating as well. Basically it’s what you put out there. If you have sexy shots in lingerie you’ll get hit up for hook-ups. Otherwise you start chatting and then go on dates. I found out all the same info from chatting as would exist in the profile of a traditional dating app. Only once did I get hit up for a hook-up and it was a silly attempt and I just blocked the guy. I found great guys on there, I didn’t kiss any of them on the first date and it worked pretty well for me. At least 3 of my girlfriends met their for life partners on tinder.

    • Lucy2 says:

      I’m on match myself, but would never use Tinder, it really does seem like the worst of them.
      All of my single friends do online dating, it’s what prompted me to finally jump in after waiting for Mr. Right to fall out of the sky for way too long. I don’t think there’s any stigma anymore.

      • Kitten says:

        I think Tinder is more for young people looking to hook up…or at least that’s what it seems like to me.

    • Snowflake says:

      I thought tinder was a hook-up site. But, this really Christian guy I know met and married a woman he met on tinder.??

      • Kitten says:

        Oops I just said the same above. That’s kind of funny…maybe we’re wrong about Tinder 😉

      • Lex says:

        People use it for all sorts of things, just like they do all apps and websites.
        It’s really easy to weed out the hook-up searchers and you can block them if you’re not interested,

        I know people who use it for friends, for casual dating, for serious relationships, for a ‘third’ to their threesome, for backalley meetups. All sorts.

  2. Konspiracytheory says:

    Bethenny Frankel…? WHY……..? (said in Nancy Kerrigan’s voice)

  3. Chelly says:

    💛 him! We’re all entitled to love…and w all the limitless options, why not take advantage of the new-age ways? Wishing him the best!

  4. boredblond says:

    Wasn’t he married when Modern Family began? Maybe I’m confusing him with somebody else..

  5. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I hope he finds someone nice, but his dating Bethanny makes me wonder what he’s looking for in a woman.

    • Esmom says:

      Ha, good point. Maybe he was that desperate for companionship.

      I can’t imagine dating at this stage of my life but assume I’d try the online route if I was. I have friends who have met their SOs online, but that was pre-Tinder.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        If I had to date again, I would think about it. The only reason I might not is that I’m extremely cautious about men I don’t know. Not that you couldn’t control the circumstances, but I am pretty chicken.

      • Kitten says:

        There are rules and tricks and things you learn to “vet” potentials.

        Myself, I had designed my profile in a way to weed out the aholes. Like, no controlling, domineering, asshole-y guy would see my snarky-ass profile and want to date me. Also, I always spent a while emailing and texting before I met the guy in person and ALWAYS met the guy in a public place, usually a busy pub, would never allow him to pick me up in his car or drive me home, cab/Uber both ways. It worked in that I’ve never dated an asshole.

        I only had one date out of many that I would consider *bad* and it was because I made an exception to my usual rules and went out with him after only a couple brief email exchanges. This guy lied about his height, where he was from, and posted pics that looked NOTHING like him. When I met him he was pocket-sized with a thick accent and a really soft voice (impossible to understand him) and was very…..odd-looking.
        I pulled the rip cord on that one about 45 minutes into the date when I realized that he hadn’t stopped talking about how much he loves New York and how he wants to live there (at least I think that’s what he was saying because, accent) and how Boston is boring and provincial.

        I couldn’t WAIT to bail on that guy.

      • lucy2 says:

        Kitten, I’m pretty much doing the same, and am cautious by nature. It does take a lot of weeding out though.
        Can’t write a proper sentence? Nope.
        Every photo screams douche-bro? Nope.
        Your profile is all about finding a relationship, family, your kids, etc, then the first thing you tell me is you’re “very sexual”? Nope.
        Your profile photo is you meeting a porn star at some sort of porn convention? NOPE.

      • Kitten says:

        @Lucy2

        Don’t know the difference between “you’re” and “your”? Nope.
        Profile pic is a ripped torso or a gym selfie? Nope.
        Your only message to me has been “hey gorgeous” fifteen times in a row? Nope.
        You’re into weird-ass shit (don’t make me get specific)? Nope.
        Your mother is “the greatest woman you’ve ever met”? NOPE!!!!!

      • lucy2 says:

        OMG the gym selfies. I just saw one recently where the guy looked like he’d been inflated and couldn’t put his arms down. To each their own, but for me, no thank you.

    • Pinky says:

      He confuses me because he also dated Charlize Theron. What exactly is he looking for in a woman, is right! And why isn’t it sticking?

      My only issue with a celebrity on a dating app is whether that person can really weed out the gold diggers and star f*ckers. If he doesn’t care about that, god speed. But if he does….Tinder is not the way to go.

      –TheRealPinky

      • Locke Lamora says:

        I don’t think he dated Charlize. There was just a brief rumour after they had lunch together or something.

      • Kitten says:

        Yeah they definitely didn’t date.

      • The Eternal Side-Eye says:

        I always read starf*cker and get the mental image of an astrology club meeting for a really nerdy orgy before my brain catches up to my common sense.

    • Kate says:

      She said she was just having a good time so perhaps he was too?

  6. janeasher says:

    Love him. Hard to pick a fave on “Modern Family”, but he would be it.

    • Rhiley says:

      I love Ed O’neill which is odd to me because Al Bundy is one of the most disgusting characters in all of television. But there is something about Jay Prichett that is just so masculine and appealing. I love how he drinks scotch daily, and babies his Frenchie. He is a great foil to Cam, Mitchell, Phil, and Manny.

  7. Esther says:

    most celebs are paid to talk about those things.

    men like him have no chance at all at Tinder anyway or in online dating, women arent blind. he passes the height check but thats about it.

    when it comes to hooking up always remember what Madeleine Holden said: Dick is abundant and low value!

    • Dangles says:

      He also passes the fame and money test too.

    • Lama Bean says:

      Have you considered the possibility that he may just be someone’s type? I think this (plus the fame and money reference) is rather insulting. He doesn’t look like a supermodel. So what? Somebody thinks he’s hot.

      Please prove my assumption wrong. Tell me that’s not what you meant.

    • CrazyDaisy says:

      And perhaps, just perhaps, there might be someone out there who wants more then looks, fame or money. Whether he’ll find that online, don’t know, it will be hard to avoid golddiggers and such. But not everyone is totally shallow, one would think.

      • Dangles says:

        If by shallow you mean wanting to be someone you find physically attractive then color me shallow.

  8. Jenna says:

    Okay, I might be going completely insane, but wasn’t there a story that he was dating Charlize Theron? Does anyone remember that? What happened there? Was I drinking?

  9. Dangles says:

    It really is a meat market, isn’t it?

  10. Meraud says:

    According to my hubby’s work colleague, there are basically two Tinders: for the under 30-crowd it’s basically a hookup app, while for the over 30-set it’s used more like a standard online dating site. Who knew?

    I met my spouse the old fashioned way – through friends – but I can think of at least three fantastic long-term couples in my friends group that met online, and as many disastrous pairings that came from more “traditional” methods of meeting. I wish there wasn’t such a stigma surrounding it.

  11. brooksie says:

    Don’t hate on Tinder too much now 🙂 I met my fiance on it, and 2 of his best friends met theirs as well.

    • lesbastardsmiserables says:

      Yeah I’m insulted! I’ve met a lovely guy on there, we chatted for a month before meeting and never has he sleazed onto me for a random hookup or anything like that. These things are what you make them!

      • brooksie says:

        Exactly! I downloaded it mainly out of curiosity – not looking for anything serious – and 3 years later, here were are!

  12. colleen says:

    Love? Maybe. I was under the impression Tinder was explicitly for hookups.

    Has anyone read any more information on the death of David Gest? I’m reading conflicting reports about the cause.

  13. Dlo says:

    Eric single and looking, call me!

  14. Queen says:

    Tinder gets a bad rap, but I met my boyfriend on there and I have 3 friends who have also met their significant others on there! Not everyone on there are just looking to hook up

  15. Magnoliarose says:

    This kind of thing scares me. I have never done it and only know one person who has. Her guy ended up being a money grubbing ass.

    I dread dating. It was fun before but scary now.

    I think he should try it out. Why not.

  16. Dangles says:

    I’m dubious about Tinder. It might help you meet more people. But if you’re a 5 out of 10 you’re still only limited to the options of someone who’s a 5 out of 10. Tinder won’t change that. It might give you more 5 out of 10s to choose from, but that’s about it. If you can find me an app that’ll allow me to date up then I’d be interested.

  17. anna says:

    I dont know why I thought he was married w kids