Milo Ventimiglia, star of the popular TV show This Is Us, recently attended the college graduation of his on-screen son, Niles Fitch, who played teen Randall on the NBC drama. Ventimiglia showed up to support Fitch at the University of Southern California’s ceremony alongside Hannah Zeile, who portrayed teen Kate, and the trio posed for a picture together to commemorate the occasion. Despite the absence of the Pearson matriarch, Mandy Moore, Ventimiglia and Zeile were there to celebrate Fitch’s achievement, with Moore sending her love via Fitch’s Instagram post.
This Is Us, which ran from 2016 to 2022, focused on the lives of the Pearson family, including siblings Kevin, Kate, and Randall. Throughout the series, Jack and Rebecca Pearson played central roles, with Fitch, Zeile, and Logan Shroyer portraying their younger counterparts in flashbacks. Fitch’s graduation ceremony was particularly sentimental for fans of the show, given Jack’s tragic fate on the series, where he sacrificed himself to save his family from a house fire just before his kids’ high school graduations. The emotional connection between the characters and actors resonated with viewers.
Following the conclusion of This Is Us after six seasons, the cast members expressed their difficulties in saying goodbye to each other. Ventimiglia, in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, mentioned his excitement about the possibility of reuniting with his former co-stars in the future. He shared his deep appreciation for Moore’s performance and their on-screen chemistry, highlighting the authentic and heartfelt connection they shared while portraying the characters of Jack and Rebecca on the show.
Ventimiglia and Moore grew close both on and off-screen, with their characters becoming like surrogate parents to the rest of the cast. Ventimiglia described their dynamic as that of a father and mother figure, expressing his protective instincts towards the group. Despite his long acting career on various TV shows like Gilmore Girls and Heroes, Ventimiglia felt a natural connection to his character of Jack Pearson on This Is Us from the beginning. He explained that he understood Jack’s reactions and motivations instinctively, allowing him to embody the character with depth and authenticity.
The bond between Ventimiglia and Moore extended beyond their performances on the show, with Ventimiglia admitting that he missed working with Moore the most after the series concluded. Their on-screen chemistry and shared experience of portraying a loving couple like Jack and Rebecca for so long had a lasting impact on the actors. Ventimiglia expressed his admiration for Moore’s dedication to her role and the authenticity she brought to the character of Rebecca. The close relationship between the actors mirrored the deep connection between Jack and Rebecca on the show, making their performances even more resonant with fans.
Overall, the graduation of Niles Fitch and the reunion of the This Is Us cast members at the ceremony highlighted the enduring impact of the popular TV series on both the actors and the viewers. Ventimiglia’s presence at Fitch’s graduation, along with the sentiments shared by the cast and fans, demonstrated the lasting legacy of the show and the relationships that were formed both on and off-screen. The emotional depth and authenticity of the performances by Ventimiglia, Moore, and the rest of the cast contributed to the success of This Is Us and solidified their bond as a television family that will always hold a special place in the hearts of the audience.
