You probably remember the cape. Back in 2016, a tiny five-year-old basically hijacked the Emmy Awards red carpet by spinning around in a superhero cape, looking entirely too comfortable for someone surrounded by flashing bulbs and A-list celebrities. That was Jeremy Maguire. Most people know him as Joe Pritchett, the rough-and-tumble surprise addition to the Delgado-Pritchett clan, but if you've been paying attention to tv shows with Jeremy Maguire, you’ve seen a kid growing up in real-time on screen.
It’s actually kinda wild how fast time moves in Hollywood. One minute he’s a toddler breaking vases on ABC, and the next, he’s a teenager navigating procedural dramas. He isn't just a "sitcom kid" anymore.
The Breakthrough: Modern Family and the "New Joe"
Honestly, re-casting a child character is usually a recipe for disaster. Fans get attached. But when Modern Family decided they needed an older, more active version of Joe Pritchett for Season 7, Jeremy Maguire didn't just fill the shoes—he stole the show. He replaced Pierce Wallace, and the producers’ gamble paid off immediately.
Maguire brought this weirdly specific energy to Joe. He was bubbly but had this deadpan delivery that made him a perfect foil for Ed O'Neill's grumpy Jay. Think about the scenes where he’d look Gloria in the eye and say something shockingly adult with a slight lisp. It worked because it felt authentic. He wasn't just reciting lines; he was playing a kid who genuinely thought he was the boss of the house.
From 2015 to 2020, he was a mainstay. We saw him go from a kid who barely spoke to a first-grader learning to ride a bike—a milestone he actually hit in real life at the same time his character did in Season 10. That final hug in the series finale? He’s gone on record saying those tears were 100% real. The cast really was his second family.
Beyond the Sitcom: Action and Dramas
If you think he stopped after the Pritchett house packed up, you've missed a few things. Maguire didn't want to be pigeonholed. He started branching out into projects that were way less "giggles and ketchup on vegetables."
Turner & Hooch (2021)
This was a big one. He joined the Disney+ reboot of Turner & Hooch as Matthew Garland. Working alongside Josh Peck, he played the nephew who was basically the catalyst for the whole "dog-hating guy gets a giant dog" plot. He was the "dog lover" archetype, but he brought a groundedness to the role that kept the show from feeling too much like a cartoon. It only lasted one season, which sucks, but it proved he could handle a serialized action-comedy without the safety net of an ensemble like Modern Family.
S.W.A.T. (2023)
This was a total 180. In the episode "Witness," Maguire played Micah. It wasn't a "cute kid" role. It was a high-stakes guest spot on a gritty police procedural. Seeing the kid who used to wear capes on the red carpet suddenly dealing with intense tactical scenarios was a bit of a shock for long-time fans, but it showed his range.
- The Last Ship (2018): He had a brief but memorable guest spot as Frankie Green.
- Untitled Sarah Silverman Project: He played a character named Russell in this TV movie early in his career.
- General Hospital: He even made his way into the world of soaps, which is basically a rite of passage for every working actor in LA.
The Jeremy Maguire "Brand": Capes and Reality
One thing most people get wrong is thinking child actors are forced into these personas. With Jeremy, the "cape thing" was actually just him. He’s obsessed with Harry Potter and Star Wars. He’s the kid who would show up to a multi-million dollar production wearing a Batman mask because, well, why not?
He even started a YouTube channel called "Adventuring with Jeremy" back in the day. It wasn't some high-gloss PR move; it was just a kid making crafts and playing with toys. That’s the vibe he brings to his roles—a sense of genuine curiosity. He’s mentioned in interviews that he looks up to guys like Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan. He actually worked with Stan in the film I'm Not Here, and apparently, he’s still a huge fan.
Why Users Search for Him
Most people looking for tv shows with Jeremy Maguire are usually trying to solve a "where have I seen him before?" mystery. Or they're Modern Family fans wondering if he’s still acting.
The reality is that child actors often disappear. They hit 13 and decide they want to play soccer or go to a "normal" high school. But Maguire seems to have staying power. He’s managed to transition from the "toddler" phase to the "teen actor" phase without any of the typical Hollywood meltdowns. He credits his mom for that, apparently spending hours in the car together in LA traffic just talking.
What’s Next?
As of 2026, Jeremy is no longer that tiny kid in the cape. He's growing up. While his most iconic work remains the 120+ episodes of Modern Family, his recent turns in S.W.A.T. and Turner & Hooch suggest he’s looking for meatier, more dramatic roles.
If you're looking to catch up on his work, start with the later seasons of Modern Family (Season 7 onwards) to see his comedic timing develop. Then, pivot to the Turner & Hooch series for a bit of nostalgia-fueled fun. If you want to see how he handles more "grown-up" TV, his guest spot in S.W.A.T. is the way to go.
Keep an eye on indie film circuits too. He’s expressed interest in doing more than just TV, and with his background, he’s got the technical skills to make the jump to serious film roles. Just don’t be surprised if he still shows up to a premiere wearing something inspired by a superhero.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to support Jeremy beyond just watching his old shows, follow his verified social media accounts. He’s surprisingly interactive and often shares behind-the-scenes clips from his newer sets, which gives a much better look at his career progression than a standard IMDb page ever could.