In October 2018, Jay (Ed O’Neill), Claire (Julie Bowen) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) learned that Jay’s ex-wife — and Mitchell and Claire’s mother — DeDe (Shelley Long), had died.

'Modern Family', which is currently airing Season 10, has been teasing an upcoming, significant character death since September.

In Wednesday's Halloween episode of the long-running series, the comedy put speculation to rest by revealing that Mitchell and Claire's mother, DeDe (Shelley Long), had died. It is said later in ...

'Modern Family' character death explained: Co-creator and co-showrunner Steve Levitan talks with The Hollywood Reporter about the surprising decision as well as the future of the ABC family comedy.