‘This Is Us’ Star Milo Ventimiglia Fights Back Tears During Emotionally Charged Interview on ‘The View’

Not only did NBC’s This Is Us have an everlasting impact on fans everywhere, but it also changed the lives of the actors who portrayed the beloved characters (and emotional storylines) on-screen. And for Milo Ventimiglia, playing the role of Jack Pearson for all six seasons meant the world to him. During a recent appearance on The View, he opened up more about the character and who in his life inspired his performance.

Last week, the 45-year-old actor stopped by the daytime talk show to promote his new ABC show, The Company You Keep. During the candid conversation, his parents—Carol and Peter Ventimiglia—came up and he mentioned how his father had a major influence on his portrayal of Jack in This Is Us.

“My dad is wonderful, my mom and dad...I get emotional,” Ventimiglia said while fighting back tears. After taking a short pause, he continued, “My mom and dad are wonderful people. My father and Jack Pearson were of the same era, both born in the 40s, [and] both Vietnam vets.”

Ventimiglia added, “I see in Jack the way my father was with my sisters and I, it’s just wonderful. So thank you.”