For years, fans of This Is Us marveled at the tear-jerking love between Jack and Rebecca Pearson (played by Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore) throughout the season. And while their connection felt real to viewers, Moore and Ventimiglia’s relationship off the screen never went beyond being good friends and co-stars. Instead, however, the two lived their own once-in-a-lifetime love stories.
Ventimiglia, who secretly married model Jarah Mariano in the fall of 2023, recently opened up about his love story and how he knew they were meant for each other since the beginning.
“When I saw my wife I was always like, ‘She’s my wife,'” Ventimiglia told Entertainment Tonight on the carpet at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. “Right away, I just kind of knew.”
When asked if marriage life has changed compared to their relationship before walking down the aisle, the Land of Bad actor admitted it only intensified their connection.
“No, I think if anything you’ve got a partner, you’re gonna be there, you’re gonna work with, you’re gonna find the joy,” Ventimiglia said. “When pains hit you guys you gotta get through it together.”
Also on the carpet, Ventimiglia talked about how connected he still is with the hit show’s cast, including one of the night’s nominees Sterling K. Brown (who played Randall on the show). “It’s funny, I get emotional, I feel like a proud father,” Ventimiglia said of the cast’s continued success.
“It was a wonderful set to be on, it was a wonderful group of people and everybody was crazy talented so it doesn’t surprise by that Sterling gets his accolades, or Justin [Hartley] has got a new show, or Chrissy [Metz] has new music,” Ventimiglia added.
Looks like Ventimiglia is one lucky guy, both when it comes to love and his career.
Before you go, click here to see all the celebrity couples with the best stories behind how they met.
