‘This Is Us’ star Milo Ventimiglia loses Malibu home to wildfires, echoing his character’s fate

Actor Milo Ventimiglia has revealed that his Malibu home was destroyed in the devastating wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles, a loss eerily similar to the tragedy his character, Jack Pearson, faced on the NBC drama This Is Us. Ventimiglia, who is expecting a child with his wife Jarah, spoke to CBS News as he returned to survey the damage after evacuating earlier this week amid the Palisades Fire.

Though Ventimiglia was told by neighbors that his home had been destroyed, seeing the damage firsthand was an emotional moment. "You start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house, and your heart just breaks," Ventimiglia shared. He reflected on the impact of seeing not only his house but also his neighbors' homes affected by the flames. The couple had evacuated on Tuesday, watching the flames engulf their home via security cameras. In the rush, they were able to grab some belongings but sadly left behind items like a crib for their unborn child.

This tragic coincidence made the event even more poignant for Ventimiglia, as his This Is Us character, Jack Pearson, dies in a house fire caused by smoke inhalation. Ventimiglia remarked, “It’s not lost on me, life imitating art.” He recalled filming a similar scene in 2018, where he faced a massive wall of flames, an experience that left him with a deep appreciation for fire safety.

Ventimiglia remains grateful for his loved ones, saying, “Wife, baby, and dog, most important.” The actor now plans to shift his focus to wildfire safety, using his personal experience to help his community and raise awareness about fire prevention.