Modern Family Star Called Aunt & Uncle Who Survived Ship Disaster After Golden Globes
Jan. 17 2012, Published 8:00 a.m. ET
By Breaking Celebrity News Staff
It turns out that the cruise ship disaster in Italy has a direct link to Hollywood, as the aunt and uncle of Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson are among the survivors of the disaster in which at least 11 people died and 24 others are still missing.
Arthur and Alex Beach, speaking via satellite from New Mexico, told Good Morning America's Robin Roberts on Tuesday that Ferguson, 36, called them from this past Sunday's Golden Globe Awards to make sure they were all right.
"When we got home Sunday evening ... I got home and I had a message from him," Jesse’s aunt Alex told Roberts.
Alex said it's "terribly troubling" to hear reports Costa Concordia cruise ship captain Francesco Schettino didn't respond to reports of the crash in swifter fashion.
"I have been concerned about his actions ... I feel there is some liability there," she said.
If he had ordered evacuation immediately, everyone could have gotten off the ship, Alex said, adding crew members were exceptionally helpful in the dire situation.
Said Arthur: "If he violated the rules and policy, he should be penalized for it, in whatever manner is appropriate."