Before he was Jack Pearson on NBC’s drama This Is Us, actor Milo Ventimiglia was Jess on Gilmore Girls and Peter on Heroes, among other memorable TV and movie characters. Now, after 26 years in Hollywood, the 44-year-old California native is celebrating a major achievement — and he says he couldn’t have done it on his own.
Ahead of This Is Us airing a new episode of its sixth and final season, Milo was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his television work that has made him a household name. The Emmy nominee was awarded the 2,710th star, right next to the one that belongs to fellow This Is Us cast member Mandy Moore, who plays his onscreen wife, Rebecca Pearson.
“This star represents a large group of people,” Milo said at his ceremony. "It may say Milo Ventimiglia, but it is actually made up of 26 years of names both in front of and behind the camera professionally and personally.''
After unveiling his star with fellow This Is Us cast member Jon Huertas, who plays Miguel on the show, and Gilmore Girls creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Milo shared two photos. “Who’s next? MV,” he tweeted.
Reacting to Milo’s latest career news, This is Us fans joined in on the celebration. “Congratulations @miloventimiglia! This star is one more achievement that you have totally deserved! You are a great actor, producer and director but above all an excellent person ... you deserve this and much more ... My admiration for you grows day by day!” one person wrote. “MILO CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You deserve this so much! Jack Pearson will forever be my favorite fictional character of all time. The life you’ve breathed into him has given me so much endless joy and love for years now. I feel lucky to be around while it’s happening,” another added.
Although Mandy wasn’t able to join Milo for the special occasion, she sent her love to him on Instagram. “The heartiest of congrats to my tv hubby and partner-in-crime, @miloanthonyventimiglia, on his STAR on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” she captioned photos of him. “Wish I could have been there to celebrate in person but we are in the middle of shooting Season 6 and knowing Mi and how much he loves his job, he’d definitely insist that work comes first.”
“Congrats on this recognition and thank [you] for being a wonderful patriarch and carrying us these last 6 years. Also the fact that our stars are right next to one another?? Come on!! 😭😭😭,” she concluded.
Milo first stepped in front of the cameras in 1995 with guest-starring roles for popular sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. At the turn of the millennium, he landed his first lead role for Fox’s teen dramedy Opposite Sex. But it wouldn’t be until the next year, in 2001, that he joined the Gilmore Girls cast for his breakout role. On the big screen, Milo has credits in several hit films, including Second Act, That's My Boy and Grown Ups 2.
But his portrayal of the Pearson patriarch seems to have connected with fans the most. A huge congrats to Milo!
Selena is the entertainment and news editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers the latest on TV, movies and celebrities. In addition to writing and editing entertainment news, she also spotlights the Hispanic and Latinx community through her work. She is a graduate of CUNY Hunter College with a B.A. in journalism and creative writing.
