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Milo Ventimiglia had no idea the impact he was going to have when he took on the role of Jack Pearson on NBC’s This Is Us.
After a long wait, Jack’s death was finally revealed in the episode “Super Bowl Sunday” and it was just as emotional for the actor as it was for audiences. “The cast watched it as a group,” Ventimiglia told PEOPLE. “The second the show came on, the lights went off and the tissue boxes came out. I understand the emotion of the episode. I’m truly heartbroken when I think of how Jack’s passing impacts his family. It weighs on me.”
Luckily, just because fans finally saw his death, it doesn’t mean we won’t be seeing any more of Jack, and Ventimiglia will keep portraying the character in flashbacks. “I really like being Jack,” he said. “I think he represents the best in a lot of us. Even in his flaws, which we all have, he is a good man.” Yet, playing a deceased character and seeing how emotional it has been has taught the actor some things. “You never know when you’re going to get certain moments. Live life, fully, love deeply and try to be happy.”
He also reassured fans, “I’m not going anywhere. There is still a lot to know about Jack Pearson!”
This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.