Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Jeff Vespa/WireImageJesse Tyler Ferguson is weighing in pal Alec Baldwin's recent gay slur controversy in which he allegedly called a paparazzo a "c--ksucking f-g" (Baldwin later insisted he said "fathead").
The Modern Family funnyman, who costarred with Baldwin in a 2010 video supporting marriage equality, says he's confused with Baldwin's supposed anti-gay phrase.
"Whether or not he said it or not, it [has] brought to attention that that's not to be said," Ferguson said in a recent interview with E.W. Radio (airing tomorrow). "It's not a good word. That's a no-no word."
"I have met him several times, and he's completely lovely, and certainly I know he's a supporter of marriage equality, so I was kind of confused by it all," Ferguson continued. "But I think he's a very talented actor, and I feel for him going though something that seems a little rough right now. Yeah, I didn't know it was such a big story until I came to New York. Like on the cover of The Post."
Ferguson isn't the first openly gay star to speak out about Baldwin's alleged slur. Last week, Anderson Cooper blasted Baldwin for the controversial outburst.
"Wow, Alec Baldwin shows his true colors yet again. How is he going to lie and excuse his anti-gay slurs this time?" Cooper said. "Just read Alec Baldwin's latest excuses. They are actually so ridiculous they are funny."