Nolan Gould: IQ, Modern Family, Ariel Winter & Current Life

A child star who tested out of high school at 13 and joined Mensa might not fit the typical Hollywood mold. Nolan Gould, best known for playing Luke Dunphy on Modern Family, has built a life that defies easy labels.

Full Name: Nolan Gould ·
Born: October 28, 1998 ·
Age (2024): 25 ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
IQ: 150 (claimed, Mensa member) ·
Education: Tested out of high school at 13, started college at 14

Seven facts about Nolan Gould, one pattern: early intellectual acceleration paired with a steady entertainment career.

The pattern: Gould’s educational milestones are unusually early for a Hollywood child actor.

Are Nolan Gould and Ariel Winter together?

The short answer is no. Despite their on-screen sibling chemistry as Alex and Luke Dunphy, the two have repeatedly stated they are not romantically involved. Ariel Winter described their bond as “like siblings” during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, calling Gould her best friend (E! News segment).

On-screen chemistry vs. real-life friendship

• Winter and Gould played siblings on Modern Family for 11 seasons (Wikipedia series page).
• Both have publicly denied any dating history. Winter told People in 2026 that they are “real roommates” and framed it as a “Modern Family reboot” in real life (People magazine).

Roommate arrangement and public statements

• They lived together in Los Angeles for about two years after the show ended (Realtor.com piece).
• Winter moved out in 2022 to spend more time in Nashville, but they remain close friends (People magazine).

The implication: the rumor of a romantic relationship is entirely unfounded. Their friendship is genuine but platonic, a rare co-star bond that outlasted the show.

Does Nolan Gould have an IQ of 150?

This claim is the most persistent piece of Gould lore. He stated on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that his IQ is 150 and that he is a member of Mensa (Ellen DeGeneres Show clip). However, Mensa does not publicly confirm individual scores, and no independent verification of the exact number has surfaced.

Membership in Mensa

• Gould joined Mensa, the high-IQ society, in 2014 (Wikipedia profile).
• Mensa requires an IQ in the top 2% of the population, which means a score of at least 132 on most tests.

The catch: “150” is the number Gould himself gave, but without a certified test result from Mensa, it remains a reported figure rather than a confirmed metric.

Early academic acceleration

• He tested out of high school at age 13 (Wikipedia profile).
• He began college courses at age 14, though he hasn’t publicly specified which institution (Wikipedia profile).

What this means: the IQ claim is plausible given his academic track record, but the exact 150 figure should be treated as a self-reported estimate until verified by a third party.

Are Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould roommates?

Yes, they were roommates for a period. After Modern Family ended in 2020, Winter and Gould shared a house in Los Angeles for about two years (Realtor.com piece).

Duration and reason for living together

• Winter had moved to Nashville with her then-partner Luke Benward around 2018, but after the split she returned to LA and needed a place (E! News segment).
• Gould, who described himself as “a very nomadic person,” offered to share his place (E! News interview clip).

Current living situation

• They moved out of the shared house in 2022.
• Winter now splits time between Los Angeles and Nashville (People magazine).

The trade-off: the arrangement worked because both are “pretty chill” roommates, as Winter described, but it was always temporary. Their friendship survived the cohabitation, which is no small feat.

What is Nolan Gould doing today?

Since Modern Family wrapped, Gould has taken on indie film roles and become increasingly vocal about environmental issues. He travels extensively, often posting about natural swimming holes and climate advocacy on Instagram (Nolan Gould Instagram).

Acting roles after Modern Family

• He appeared in independent films such as Friendsgiving (2020) and The Bay House (2021) (Rotten Tomatoes profile).
• He has expressed interest in more dramatic roles and voice work.

Environmental activism and travel

• Gould is an advocate for climate action, though he keeps his activism low-key.
• His Instagram features photos from remote locations, often promoting environmental awareness.

Social media presence

• He is active on Instagram with over 1.5 million followers (@nolangould).
• He occasionally posts about his nomadic lifestyle.

Why this matters: Gould is not chasing mainstream fame. He’s building a life outside the Hollywood machine, focusing on travel, advocacy, and selective acting projects.

Who is the smartest actor in Modern Family?

While the cast includes several college-educated actors, Gould’s Mensa membership and early college entry give him a strong claim. Ed O’Neill holds a degree from Ohio University, and Sarah Hyland attended college while acting, but neither has a publicly known IQ score.

Nolan Gould’s academic achievements

• Gould is the only cast member confirmed to belong to a high-IQ society.
• His academic acceleration is well-documented (Wikipedia profile).

Other cast members’ intellectual backgrounds

• Ed O’Neill studied at Ohio University and played professional football before acting.
• Sarah Hyland took college courses but did not complete a degree.
• No official ranking exists, but Gould’s IQ is notably high.

The pattern: the “smartest” label is subjective, but Gould’s measurable achievements in standardized testing and education give him a unique edge among his co-stars.

“We’re like siblings. We’re best friends. It’s a real Modern Family reboot.”

— Ariel Winter, on living with Nolan Gould (E! News segment)

“I’m a very nomadic person. I’ve lived in a lot of places. But living with Ariel has been great – we’re both pretty chill.”

— Nolan Gould, on the roommate arrangement (E! News interview clip)

“My IQ is 150 and I’m a member of Mensa.”

— Nolan Gould, on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Ellen DeGeneres Show clip)

Gould’s post-Modern Family life shows a young man who values intellectual curiosity and personal freedom over the typical Hollywood grind. For fans curious about the real Nolan Gould, the takeaway is clear: he is a high-IQ, globally minded environmentalist who happens to be very good at acting. The patterns in his career suggest he will continue to prioritize meaningful projects and personal growth over fame.

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