Julie Bowen<\/strong><\/a> has a new boyfriend \u2014 but she\u2019s keeping the details of their relationship close to her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a lovely friend,\u201d Bowen, 56, told People<\/em><\/a> at Step Up\u2019s 2026 Annual Inspiration Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25.<\/p>\n Though the Modern Family<\/em> alum is choosing to keep her new man\u2019s identity a secret for now, she dished that he\u2019s \u201csmart and funny.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI need smart and funny. Those are the two [characteristics I look for in a partner],\u201d she told the outlet. \u201cI don\u2019t care what people look like \u2014 though he happens to be good-looking. But I don\u2019t care what people look like. I like the brains.\u201d<\/p>\n Bowen was previously married to real estate entrepreneur Scott Phillips<\/strong><\/a> from 2004 to 2018. The exes share son Oliver<\/strong>, 19, and twin boys John and Gustav, 17.<\/p>\n Back in September 2025, the Happy Gilmore<\/em> actress got emotional as she celebrated her eldest child going off to college.<\/p>\n \u201cSweet Baby Oliver \u2026 you were born 5 minutes ago, so how can I possibly be leaving you at college?\u201d she wrote at the time. \u201cYou made me a mother, and I learned more (and been humbled more) from being your mom for the past 18 years than I could ever have imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n Bowen continued, \u201cNow I have to learn to do the hardest thing a parent has the privilege of doing and let you go. No, it\u2019s NOT forever, but it\u2019s the end of one big chapter, so \u2014 yeah \u2014 I\u2019m going to cry. (I\u2019m also 100 percent going to sit on your Dad\u2019s shoulders to work on the lighting in your dorm room.) I love you, Monkey. Always No matter what. \ud83d\udc9a\ud83d\udc9b.\u201d<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n While speaking to Us<\/em> at Friday\u2019s awards show, Bowen \u2014 who is known for playing mom of three Claire Dunphy on Modern Family<\/em><\/a> \u2014 shared an update on raising older teens.<\/p>\n
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