Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer (born March 3, 1970), better known by her stage name Julie Bowen, is an American actress. She is best known for playing Carol Vessey on Ed (2000–04), Denise Bauer on Boston Legal (2005–07), Sarah Shephard on Lost (2005–07) and Claire Dunphy on the sitcom Modern Family (2009–present). The latter earned her five nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, winning in 2011 and 2012.