India, Sept. 27 -- Modern Family actor Julie Bowen has revealed that she is dating someone new, though she is choosing to keep his identity private for now. Speaking to PEOPLE at Step Up's 2026 Annual Inspiration Awards in Los Angeles on September 25, the 56-year-old actor described her new partner as a "lovely friend."

Bowen said intelligence and humour are the qualities she values most in a relationship. "I need smart and funny. Those are the two [characteristics I look for in a partner]," she said, adding, "I don't care what people look like - though he happens to be good-looking. But I don't care what people look like. I like the brains."

Bowen was previously married to real estate investor Scott Phillips. The couple tied the knot i...