ON COVER: Saint Laurent sweater, $790 at MrPorter.com; Jeans and belt, Milo’s own

PICTURED: Knit shirt, similar styles for $455 at DeveauxNewYork.com; Chino pants, $68 at JCrew.com; “Clubmaster” sunglasses, $200 at Ray-Ban.com; Belt, $228 at MichaelKors.com; Watch, Milo’s own FAR RIGHT: Cardigan, $499 at Kinross Cashmere, 212-997-2524; T-shirt and jeans, Milo’s own

RIGHT:Coat, $4,833, and Shirt,skirt, $255$2,850, at AmiParisboth at .com; “Made inFendi L.A.” jeans,.com; $198$995 atat Todd Snyder, 25JimmyChoo E. 26th St.; Watch,.com; Milo’s own Handbag, $28,500 at PICTURED: Asprey, 853 Madison The Kooples Sport shirt, $255 at Ave.; Diamond earrings Bloomingdale’s, 1000 Third Ave.; in and white gold, Watch, Milo’s own price upon request at WilliamAndHenri.com

COVER STORY FATHER FIGURE ‘THIS IS US’ STAR

MILO VENTIMIGLIA PLAYS with a new girlfriend, 31-year-old Stella likely address quickly is the controversial McCartney marketing coordinator Kelly Season 1 finale. Viewers were led to believe Egarian. But Ventimiglia remains mum on they’d finally learn how Jack died — when their relationship. “We won’t talk about it,” that revelation failed to come, they lashed PAPA ON-SCREEN AND OFF he says firmly. out on social media. The outrage frustrates If he sounds remarkably grounded when Ventimiglia. STORY BY ROBERT RORKE compared to some of his peers, credit his “It bothered me that people were so mother, Carol, and father, Peter — a Viet- wrapped up in wanting to know [about] PHOTOS BY SHERYL NIELDS nam vet to whom Ventimiglia turned for Jack’s death,” he explains. “Whenever inspiration for his character. someone would say to me, ‘I was bummed “I was never at a loss for hugs and kisses I didn’t find out,’ I would say, ‘I’m disap- from my parents and my [two] sisters,” the pointed you didn’t focus on his life.’ People actor reflects. “I think there’s this idea that are dissatisfied no matter what. If Jack dies: the depth of an actor’s performance is built ‘Why did you kill him?’ If Jack lives: ‘Why on tough times or horrible events or isola- didn’t you show us how he died?’ People tion, but I never found that. I figured that just need to calm down ... and understand my imagination coupled with the story can that things are going to unfold as they’re get me anywhere.” supposed to unfold.” Growing up in the shadow of Disneyland, The show’s success also means pressure HIS is the year Milo Benedict Canyon, as wind chimes ring in man said to me, ‘Milo, don’t worry. Just derness and ability to connect with the in Anaheim, Calif., also had a big influence. to dive into the annual fame bath that is Ventimiglia became a the background. “It was very simple how because Jack is dead in the present day show’s child actors as well. His mother worked there and he once tried the Emmy Awards. Ventimiglia has been dad — at least on TV. he loved his wife, how he loved his kids.” doesn’t mean you’re going to be off the “You have to remember that they’re to get a job “cleaning up trash on Main submitted for Best Actor in a Drama Series The 39-year-old That unabashed love helped “This Is show.’ ” kids,” he says. “Nurture a fun environ- Street, but I couldn’t get hired,” he laughs. (along with his co-star Sterling K. Brown), actor already enjoyed Us” become network television’s big- Indeed, Ventimiglia remains a pivotal ment for them, but don’t let them get Instead, he soaked up its creative spirit but he’s not jumping on the campaign trail a reputation as a Hol- gest sensation in years. (Its trailer broke father figure both on-camera and off. away with too much. Show them kind- by visiting as often as possible. “As I got just yet. lywood heartthrob, streaming records last May, four months “I try to show up even on the days I’m ness and love, intelligence and strength older it became a place to escape, for all “I’ve never been driven by the recogni- playing younger parts before the show premiered.) The series not working,” he explains. “I do a lot of — they’re going to soak it all in.” of us teenagers to go run around the park. tion of an award. I do the work because I like those of irresist- leaps back and forth through time, show- photography behind the scenes. I shoot Spoken like a man who’s ready to [It cost] 46 bucks to get in, but if you were enjoy the work,” Ventimiglia says. “Acting ibly brooding teen Jess ing the close-knit, interracial Pearson everything on film [that takes place] in become a dad himself? from Southern California, they would cut is very sacred. Anyone who stands in front Mariano on “Gilmore family at different ages while dangling the past and everything on digital [that “I’d love to have kids,” he says, before you a deal.” of a crew with the camera recording their Girls” and empath Peter a sobering fact before its besotted audi- takes place] in the present. I try to be quickly adding a caveat. “I think it’s more Ventimiglia keeps it local to this day, emotions is a brave individual. As hum- Petrelli on “Heroes.” ence: Jack dies and his wife, Rebecca around, be that Papa Pearson.” about having that right partner. The old- riding around LA and Orange County bling as it would be to be recognized, I’ve But he finally got to act (Mandy Moore), remarries. His co-star Mandy Moore calls Ven- er I got, the more I understood that Mom (where his parents still live) on a jet-black never needed that. I do the job the same.” his age for the role of Ventimiglia, who has changed from timiglia the show’s “team captain.” and Dad were going to have to be cool On “This Is Us,” Ventimiglia Harley-Davidson. “Here, I’m around all my The 2017 Emmy nominations will be Jack Pearson, a father his designer photo-shoot threads into an “He really feels like the true patriarch with Mom and Dad together, whether the plays Jack — husband constants. I see my parents. I see my close announced July 13, a few days after Ven- to Mandy Moore’s who — after the death effortlessly cool black T-shirt and jeans, of our little set family,” she tells Alexa. kids were there or the kids were gone. I character, Rebecca (left), friends.” timiglia’s 40th birthday. He hasn’t made of one of his newborn knew he was playing a dead man when he “He knew every crew member’s name think for me the lesson was find a great He’ll also be seeing his “This Is Us” fam- special plans for that milestone, except — and father of three. ABOVE: Shirt, $425 at DeveauxNewYork.com; triplets — decides to adopt an orphaned signed on for the project (even if the par- by the end of the first week of work and partner — having kids will be the joy PHOTO BY RON BATZDORFF/NBC. ily when they reunite to film Season 2 in as always — to keep his focus on family. baby on the premiere episode of NBC’s ticulars of his character’s death remain a makes sure to say good morning and from having a great partnership.” July (the show is set to return this fall on “People close to me keep trying to plan Trousers, $395 at PalmiersDuMal.com “This Is Us.” mystery to viewers). shake hands every time he walks on set.” As for finding that partner, the actor Tuesday nights). things, but it makes me so uncomfortable,” Fashion Editor: Serena French “I wanted to play a good man,” Ventimi- “I know how [Jack dies], I know when, Though Ventimiglia has no kids of has previously been linked with former Ventimiglia hasn’t seen any new scripts he says. “I don’t like attention. My dad’s Stylist: Anahita Moussavian Tglia tells Alexa after our cover shoot, sit- I know why,” he says. “It didn’t sway me his own — he’s never even been a camp co-stars Alexis Bledel and Hayden yet, but he’s talked with Fogelman about birthday is a month before mine. So we’re Groomer: KC Fee at The Wall Group using Baxter ting on an outdoor patio in Los Angeles’ at all. [Executive producer Dan] Fogel- counselor — he displays an innate ten- Panettiere. Lately, he’s been spotted upcoming storylines. One thing they’ll all going to be together for that.” of California and Tom Ford