Milo Ventimiglia, the American actor who gained international recognition for his roles like Jess Mariano on the television series Gilmore Girls, and Peter Petrelli on the series Heroes, currently stars as Jack Pearson on NBC’s This Is Us. Ventimiglia shares about his experience working in the show, his chemistry with Mandy Moore, reasons for choosing this project and a lot more.
Milo Ventimiglia
Viewers have loved season one. Are you relieved as an actor, when people latch onto something that you’ve done?
You know, it’s so funny. I do the work and put my whole heart into the work no matter what it is. I do my best to honour the words and honour the character and the people that I’m shoulder to shoulder with. But it is nice when there is a positive response and reaction to work that I’m a part of. I can’t say that it doesn’t feel good.
What drew you to this project?
So many different things! One was Dan Fogelman and how much of a fan I was of his writing. Another is John Requa and Glen Ficarra, the directors of the pilot. And that a great character in Jack. You know he’s inherently good and he’s hopeful and loves his wife and he’s excited about his baby, and his kids.
Did you spend time with babies to prepare for playing the father role?
I wouldn’t say I spent time to prepare. I’ve got no kids myself, but have nieces and nephews with whom I hang out and spend time with. I change diapers and I’ve spent hours on the ground playing with toys and what not. Just being a positive source of goodness for kids. Falling into that world and holding a baby that I’m pretending is mine or saddling up to a little kid and calling him or her mine, it’s not a stretch. Not a stretch at all.
You’re pretty jacked in this. Are you a gym buff normally or was that for this role?
No, this was actually the very first job that a producer said to me: stop working out. I keep myself fit just because I enjoy the way I feel and I think it’s good to be healthy. But this was one of those jobs that they did not want me to look like a very modern guy. I understood that. That’s just kind of me. Still working out but eating as much as I can. I try to be a normal guy.
We have to talk about Mandy Moore, who is great in this. What’s it like working with her?
It is everything you’d expect it to be — joyous, fun, deep and meaningful work. She is someone who’s very connected to her character Rebecca and committed to her character. For all intents and purposes when the cameras are rolling we’re husband and wife. I know that she is very passionate about her work but even more importantly she’s a great human being, which makes the job easier. It really, truly does. She’s beautiful, kind, cool, smart and funny. But above all a good human being and that makes the work even better.
Had you met her before this project?
No. We literally shook hands in a network test and that was it.
(The first season of This Is Us starts 14th August at 9pm on Star World)
