Ariel Winter Reveals Which Modern Family Costars Gave Her Advice as She Learned to Handle Public Scrutiny (Exclusive) AOL Ariel Winter Gets Sexy at 17; 'Modern Family' Members Send Alex Dunphy Birthday Wishes IBTimes India Ariel Winter, best known as Alex from Modern Family, is gaining widespread praise for openly criticizing Israel's unchecked actions in Lebanon and Palestine. Despite potential career risks, Ariel's fearless stance has struck Modern Family Actress Ariel Winter said the media brutally critiqued her physical appearance, especially during the early seasons of the show. It was every headline I read about myself, like, grown people Ariel Winter's eye popping dress looked way out of place at 'Modern Family' screening