'Modern Family' Star on Breaking Out of His Shell

While fans know him as the charismatic, wise-beyond-his-years Manny on Modern Family, Rico Rodriguez says that he was once a bit of a wallflower.

PICS: On the Set of Modern Family

"When I first started, I was very shy," Rico admits. "Coming into this ... you can't be shy. When I broke out of my shell and when I auditioned for Modern Family a few years later, it was amazing ... It's really paid off."

The Rodriguez family traveled to California from Texas to pursue his 19-year-old sister Raini's acting career. Since moving to the Golden State, Rico has been California dreaming.

"I came here wanting to live my dreams and take risks," says Rico, who is releasing a book, Reel Life Lessons...So Far, due out March 11. "You never know what's going to happen."