Milo Ventimiglia

Early life

Milo Anthony Ventimiglia was born on July 8, 1977, in Anaheim, California, the youngest child of Carol and Peter Ventimiglia, the latter being a Vietnam War veteran. He has two sisters. Ventimiglia is of Sicilian descent through his father, and of English and Scottish descent through his mother. He has a self-described "crooked mouth," having been born with damaged facial nerves causing the left side of his mouth to remain immobile – much like actor Sylvester Stallone, with whom he worked in Rocky Balboa.

Ventimiglia attended El Modena High School in Orange, California, where he competed in wrestling, acted in drama productions and served as student government president. He graduated in 1995. At eighteen, Ventimiglia studied at the American Conservatory Theater for their summer program, subsequently attending the University of California, Los Angeles as a theatre major.

Career

Early roles and breakthrough

At eighteen, Ventimiglia pursued an acting career, first starring as a gay teenager in Must Be the Music, a short film released as part of Strand Releasing's Boys Life 2. He enrolled at UCLA before landing a role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, guest starring on television series including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Boston Public. He played Jed Perry, in the short-lived Fox TV series, Opposite Sex, which originally aired in 2000.

From 2001 to 2006, Ventimiglia played brooding teen Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls; he was introduced in the second season as a leading cast member. He signed on for a spin-off of Gilmore Girls called Windward Circle which was to be focused on the relationship between Jess and his estranged father (played by Rob Estes), but the proposed series never made it to air. Afterward, he dropped down to a guest star/recurring cast member, and he came back for four episodes in season four and two episodes in season six. In the third and final season of American Dreams, Ventimiglia played Chris Pierce, the rebellious boyfriend of Meg Pryor (Brittany Snow). He starred in the mid-season replacement series The Bedford Diaries. The producers had only Ventimiglia in mind, but the show lasted only eight episodes and was one of several shows not picked up by the newly formed network The CW.

''Heroes''; film and production work

In between television work, Ventimiglia had supporting roles in the horror films Cursed (2005), directed by Wes Craven, and Stay Alive (2006), as well as starring roles in the short film Intelligence and the full-length feature Dirty Deeds (2005). The same year, he was cast as Robert "Rocky Jr." Balboa, the son of Rocky Balboa, in the sixth Rocky installment Rocky Balboa which was released in December 2006.

He starred as Peter Petrelli in the NBC series Heroes, a show about "ordinary" people discovering they have superpowers, and portrayed the character until the series' conclusion in 2010. Ventimiglia also produced and developed a mini web-series called It's a Mall World as part of a marketing campaign for American Eagle Outfitters in 2007. In mid-2007, he starred as the love interest of pop/R&B singer Fergie in the music video for "Big Girls Don't Cry". In 2008, he starred as a medical student in the horror film Pathology. The film co-starred Charmed actress Alyssa Milano and was directed by Marc Schölermann for MGM.

DiVide Pictures

In 2004, Milo Ventimiglia co-founded DiVide Pictures with producer Russ Cundiff. The American production company develops scripted and unscripted content across film, television, and digital platforms. As of 2024, the company has been involved in the development of over 30 projects for various networks and studios. DiVide Pictures is under an exclusive television development deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney Television Studios. In 2023, it produced The Company You Keep for ABC, in which Ventimiglia starred and served as an executive producer. The company’s film credits include Tell and Static. DiVide has also produced branded content in collaboration with companies such as eBay, Cadillac, and GQ.

Film and television; ''This Is Us''

After working with writers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor on Pathology, Ventimiglia appeared in the pair's next film, Gamer. Ventimiglia also starred in the Xavier Gens apocalypse thriller film, The Divide.

Ventimiglia was the voice of Wolverine in the English dub of the Marvel Anime: Wolverine anime series and reprised his role in an episode of the Marvel Anime: Iron Man and an episode of Marvel Anime: Blade. He did not return to voice Wolverine in Marvel Anime: X-Men, due to that series portraying an older Wolverine, instead Wolverine was voiced by Steven Blum. He played Ned Stax, a former marine, in Frank Darabont's short-lived neo-noir crime drama Mob City for TNT. He also reprised his role as Jess Mariano in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life in November 2016. After this, he reportedly told USA Today that, "I hear rumors that they're bringing back everything that I've ever been a part of... I think it's exciting. At times, though, I think it's too much. There are more stories to tell with a lot of these characters, but at the same time some of these characters for some of us actors are more than a decade in the past. It was exciting going back to Gilmore Girls for the four Netflix movies, but I'm satisfied with it. I think the stories were told. I think it was great for the audience and fans to get just one small taste of that world again. But, at the same time, I think people should not get so greedy."

Beginning in the fall of 2016, Ventimiglia starred opposite Mandy Moore in the critically acclaimed NBC period drama series This Is Us playing Jack Pearson, the patriarch of a middle-class family in late 1980s/early 1990s America. In 2017 Ventimiglia starred in the suspense thriller Devil's Gate alongside Amanda Schull. For his role as Jack Pearson, Ventimiglia received his first Emmy nomination in the category Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

In 2019, Ventimiglia starred opposite Amanda Seyfried in the film adaptation of The Art of Racing in the Rain, based on the novel by Garth Stein.

Personal life

Ventimiglia and fellow former Gilmore Girls co-star Alexis Bledel were in a relationship from 2002 to July 2006. Ventimiglia also dated his Heroes co-star Hayden Panettiere from December 2007 to February 2009.

Ventimiglia and his sisters were raised as lacto-vegetarians, and he has maintained the diet as an adult. He was named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' Sexiest Vegetarian in 2009. He also does not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol.

Ventimiglia is a fan of rock bands The Clash and The Smiths, as well as the latter band's long-time vocalist, Morrissey.

In July 2008, Ventimiglia completed a United Service Organization tour in support of American troops in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In September 2023, Ventimiglia married model Jarah Mariano. On September 29, 2024, Mariano announced that she was pregnant with their first child. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, on January 23, 2025.

In January 2025, his home in Malibu burned down due to the California wildfires.

Filmography

Film

Television

Podcasts

Music videos

Video games

As director

As producer

Writer

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (July 8, 2025). "On This Day in History". [[United Press International]].
2. Keck, William. (December 18, 2006). "Yo! Ventimiglia gets into the tough-guy act". USA Today.
3. (September 8–14, 2008). "TV Guide".
4. Dawn, Randee. (March 20, 2017). "Try not to cry as Milo Ventimiglia reveals inspiration behind 'This is Us' character". Today.
5. "Milo Ventimiglia". [[The Biography Channel]].
6. (April 21, 2002). "Milo Ventimiglia Fan".
7. "NOTABLE ALUMNI ACTORS". UCLA School of Theater, Film and television.
8. Huisman, Mark J.. (April 29, 1997). "Short and sweet". [[The Advocate (LGBT magazine).
9. Scheetz, Cameron. (February 27, 2024). "Years before he was king of the 3-inch inseam, Milo Ventimiglia played a gay teen in this '90s short film".
10. Voss, Brandon. (2008). "Our hero". The Advocate.
11. (December 16, 2008). "What Would Jess' Show Have Been Like?". Alloy.
12. Bierly, Mandy. (December 17, 2007). "Milo Ventimiglia checks in".
13. "Milo Ventimiglia's schedule for CONtv Live Presents: Wizard World Comic Con Chicago".
14. Carroll, Larry. (December 19, 2008). "'Heroes' Star Sheds 'Dirty' Past to Become Rocky Balboa's Son". MTV.
15. Howard, Theresa. (May 9, 2007). "American Eagle Outfitters plans Web comedy". USA Today.
16. "Pathology (2008)". American Film Institute.
17. (August 22, 2022). "Milo Ventimiglia & Russ Cundiff's DiVide Pictures Renews 20th Television Deal, Ups Deanna Harris".
18. Jen Yamato. (April 17, 2008). "Milo Ventimiglia Gets Dark in Pathology, Talks Role In Neveldine & Taylor's Game". [[Rotten Tomatoes]].
19. (May 12, 2010). "Xavier Gens' Apocalypse 'The Divide' Encompasses Genre Cast". Bloody-disgusting.com.
20. (April 3, 2011). "Marvel Television Announces Adrian Pasdar & Milo Ventimiglia For Iron Man & Wolverine Anime Series To Air On G4 July 2011". [[Anime News Network]].
21. (February 21, 2012). "'Heroes' Alum Milo Ventimiglia To Star In Frank Darabont's TNT Pilot 'L.A. Noir'". Deadline.
22. "Milo Ventimiglia won't return as Jess if Netflix revisits 'Gilmore Girls'".
23. "Milo Ventimiglia Is in Good Company".
24. Poniewozik, Jamie. (March 14, 2017). "'This Is Us' Ends a Tear-Jerking Season With a Beginning". The New York Times.
25. Birnbaum, Debra. (February 2, 2017). "'This Is Us' Star Milo Ventimiglia on Jack: 'I Don't Think He's Perfect at All'". Variety.
26. (April 15, 2015). "Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Schull to Star in Thriller 'Devil's Gate'". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
27. (July 13, 2017). "Emmys 2017: Full List of Nominations". [[Variety (magazine).
28. "The Art of Racing in the Rain".
29. "Gilmore Girls' Alexis Bledel, Boyfriend Split". People.
30. (April 22, 2008). "Trevor and Zena meet Milo Ventimiglia". BBC.
31. (February 17, 2009). "Hayden Panettiere & Milo Ventimiglia Split". People.
32. Pashman, Heidi. "The 25 Sexiest Vegan and Vegetarian Celebrities". Shape.
33. Koch, Wendy. [http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/03/sexiest-vegetarian-petas-contest-goes-beefcake/1#.T4da_O0Zy04 "Sexiest Vegetarian? PETA's Contest Goes Beefcake"] {{webarchive. link. (November 28, 2010, USAToday.com, March 3, 2010.)
34. (August 31, 2007). "Jo Whiley". BBC Radio 1.
35. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. (May 14, 2019). "Milo Ventimiglia Geeks Out Over Morrissey, Rides Shotgun in Ubers".
36. [http://www.mensvogue.com/magazine/articles/2008/10/milo-ventimiglia Milo Ventimiglia's USO tour] {{webarchive. link. (September 24, 2008)
37. "Milo Ventimiglia Is Married! 'This Is Us' Actor Secretly Ties the Knot with Model Jarah Mariano".
38. "Milo Ventimiglia's Wife Jarah Mariano Is Pregnant and Expecting the Couple's First Child: 'Baby on Board!'".
39. (February 2025). "Milo Ventimiglia and wife Jarah Mariano welcome baby after losing house in Los Angeles fires".
40. (January 9, 2025). "Milo Ventimiglia Chokes Up After Losing House In Malibu Fire: "Your Heart Just Breaks"".
41. (January 9, 2025). ""This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia loses home to Los Angeles fires in eerie reflection of on-screen tragedy".
42. Slatter, Sean. (2022-09-08). "Will Eubank's ''Land of Bad'' heads to Queensland, Luke Hemsworth joins cast".
43. "A Twist of Memory, A Turn of Mind". IMDb.
44. "Day Walker and Mutant (Claws and Blades)". IMDb.
45. (September 5, 2014). "Check out these Guest Voices from Marvel's ''Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors''". [[Marvel.com]].
46. "Milo Ventimiglia (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
47. Ausiello, Michael. (2021-06-10). "Milo Ventimiglia Joins ''Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'' Season 4, Reuniting with Gilmore Boss Amy Sherman-Palladino".
48. Ehrlich, Brenna. (July 20, 2021). "Stephen King Gets into the Podcast Game With a Series Based on 'Night Shift'".
49. Maas, Jennifer. (2025-06-08). "'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' to Star Milo Ventimiglia, Kiernan Shipka and Michael Rooker; New Game Follows David Mason in Year 2035 (EXCLUSIVE)".