I’ve been slightly in love with Milo Ventimiglia for decades, people, decades! Way back when he was the bad boy, heartthrob from Gilmore Girls and everyone’s favorite superhero from Heroes. And now, our dear Milo is back! If you haven’t been tuned into the roller coaster, tragically lovable, new hit show This Is Us, then you’re missing out. Trust me, have your TV set to NBC every Tuesday night and you won’t be disappointed – forewarning, have some tissues handy because you will sob uncontrollably. Now join us as we take a peak into what you didn’t know about the star of fall’s hit TV show.
Milo was named after character, Milo Minderbinder, from hit book Catch-22
Let’s thank author, Joseph Heller, for penning the character, Milo Minderbinder, in his most successful novel, Catch-22. I mean, could you imagine if his parents named him Steve or Tom? (Those are great names, don’t get me wrong). But he was born to be Milo.
His dreamy, droopy smile is the result of dead nerves in his lower lip
Back in an interview with USA Today, Milo explained that his “crooked mouth” comes from the result of dead nerves on the left side – this causes the left side of his face to remain immobile. Many wondered if Milo Ventimiglia was related to Sylvester Stallone from the movie, Rocky Balboa, as they both have the same facial immobility.
How could we forget bad boy, Jess Mariano, from Gilmore Girls?
Ventimiglia stole all our teenage hearts from 2001 to 2004 when he graced the screen as bad boy, Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls. When he left the show, he was actually supposed to get his own spin-off, called Windward Circle, but sadly that never happened. Sigh, we’ll never know what could have happened with Jess and his big move to Cali.
Ventimiglia has guest starred on various popular TV shows
Ventimiglia got his big break on the TV show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He would later go on to guest star on TV shows such as, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. We just love whatever role he’s in!
Milo and former Heroes co-star, Adrian Pasdar, have an adorable bro-mance
The two co-starred on the NBC program, “Heroes”, and they were supposed to star in the Gilmore Girls spin-off together (Windward Circle) but that sadly never happened! I would have loved to see Adrian play Jess’s older brother! For now, I’ll stick to following their adorable tweets to one another.
Milo has dated two former co-stars
From 2001 to 2006, Ventimiglia and former Gilmore Girls co-star Alexis Bledel, dated AND they even discussed marriage! I will forever ship Milo Ventimiglia and Alexis Bledel as Jess and Rory but the fact that the two dated in real life is enough to make my heart burst with joy! Ventimiglia also dated his former Heroes co-star Hayden Panettiere for about two years, from 2007 to 2009. Who are we kidding, Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere were just the cutest couple. Lucky, lucky ladies.
Milo is ecstatic to reprise his role as Jess in Gilmore Girls
Like many of you, I am eagerly waiting for ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life Of’ re-boot coming up on the 25th of November, 2016. Milo has repeatedly said, “For me, it was always one of those jobs where people would ask me the question, ‘If the opportunity came up…‘ or, ‘If they did a movie…’ or this or that — and my answer was always, ‘Yes.'” We are just as ecstatic!
Ventimiglia doesn’t smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol!
Additionally, Milo is also a lifelong lacto-vegetarian as his parents raised him and his sisters on a very healthy meat-free diet. In 2009, he was named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ Sexiest Vegetarian. As if we needed more reason to fall in love him?
Milo is a huge supporter of the troops
In 2008, Ventimiglia took a United Service Organization tour in support of American troops in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. He also launched a national public service campaign, “SupportYourVet.org” back in 2009. Very inspirational.
Milo revealed he instantly wanted to be a part of This Is Us when he read the script for the first episode
This Is Us is quickly becoming one of America’s hit show of the year and we absolutely adore Milo’s character, Jack, in the show. What’s more, Milo even admitted that while he’s watching the show, he will actually cry up to at least three times during the episode! “It’s really moving television and it’s not because I know these characters, but in the assembly of these episodes, they’ve done an incredible job of making people feel.”
Milo starred in a music video
Who would have thought that back in 2007, Ventimiglia would have accepted a “role” in Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry” music video. And how did we not know about this?! Excuse me as I watch the video on repeat.
Milo even has his own production company
Ventimiglia co-owns and operates his own production company with Russ Cundiff, Divide Pictures, from the former WB network. With Milo’s directing experience, I wonder if he’ll even direct an episode or two for the hit TV show, This Is Us? All we know is, he’s super talented, whether he’s acting or directing – we’re always excited when his name pops up!