Milo Ventimiglia is an American actor, director, and producer born on July 8, 1977, in Anaheim, California.[1][2][4][6] He rose to prominence with his role as the brooding Jess Mariano on the WB series *Gilmore Girls* from 2001 to 2006, followed by playing the empathetic Peter Petrelli on NBC's *Heroes* from 2006 to 2010, earning Teen Choice, Saturn, and People's Choice Award nominations.[1][2] Ventimiglia gained further acclaim as Jack Pearson, the devoted family patriarch, on the NBC drama *This Is Us* from 2016 to 2022, receiving three Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, a Critics' Choice nomination, and Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2018 and 2019 alongside the cast.[2][3][6] His film roles include Rocky Balboa's son, Rocky Jr., in *Rocky Balboa* (2006) opposite Sylvester Stallone and *Creed II* (2018), as well as appearances in *Second Act* (2018) with Jennifer Lopez, *The Art of Racing in the Rain* (2019), and action thriller *Land of Bad* (2024).[1][2][3] He reprised Jess Mariano in Netflix's *Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life* (2016) and starred as con artist Charlie in ABC's *The Company You Keep* (2023), which he also executive produced under his DiVide Pictures banner.[2][3] Early credits include guest spots on *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* (1995) and roles in *Opposite Sex* (2000), *American Dreams*, and *The Bedford Diaries*.[2] In 2023, he married model Jarah Mariano; they announced their first child in September 2024 and welcomed daughter Ke'ala Coral Ventimiglia in January 2025.[1] Ventimiglia remains active in television and film, blending studio projects with independent work.[2][3]