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You’ll never believe how Milo Ventimiglia landed Sylvester Stallone for season 2

By Reed Gaudens

THIS IS US -- TV Academy FYC Screening and Panel Discussion at The Cinerama Dome, Hollywood, CA -- Pictured: Milo Ventimiglia -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC). Acquired from NBCUniversal Media Village.
THIS IS US -- TV Academy FYC Screening and Panel Discussion at The Cinerama Dome, Hollywood, CA -- Pictured: Milo Ventimiglia -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC). Acquired from NBCUniversal Media Village. /
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Sylvester Stallone will join the cast of This Is Us for a guest starring role in Season 2, and you’ll never guess how Milo Ventimiglia got the legendary actor to commit.

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When the news broke that Sylvester Stallone would guest star in the upcoming second season of This Is Us, fans were overjoyed. It’s not every day that a legendary actor and three-time Academy Award nominee who rarely makes appearances on the small screen commits to a major guest role. But Rocky’s coming to This Is Us, and it’s all thanks to Milo Ventimiglia.

During his promotional stop on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday night, Ventimiglia opened up about Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming appearance on the show and his integral role in pulling the mega-star in. Back in 2006, Ventimiglia starred opposite Stallone in Rocky Balboa as his son Robert. When the writers approached Papa Pearson with the idea of bringing in Stallone, they took full advantage of his Rocky connections. Ventimiglia made the call and the pitch that would ultimately score This Is Us’ highest-caliber guest star to date. And, of course, it all hinged on family.

We already know that Sylvester Stallone will play himself on This Is Us, as Kevin (Justin Hartley) accepted a role in a Ron Howard war movie in the season finale. Stallone acts as Kevin’s mentor and father figure while working on the film, which checks out since Ventimiglia revealed another layer of the Rocky family link to Jimmy Kimmel.

Just as Stallone was more than likely Ventimiglia and Hartley’s film hero growing up, the Rocky actor also bonded Jack to Kevin. You can imagine how sharing the screen with Stallone could drum up some festering emotions about Jack’s death and how that has continued to blockade Kevin’s self worth and capacity to feel. Prepare for the tears now.

Watch the video clip below for Milo Ventimiglia’s full story on scoring Stallone and other Season 2 secrets!

Next: Milo Ventimiglia tells Jimmy Kimmel how Jack DIDN'T die

Are you excited for Sylvester Stallone’s appearance on This Is Us? What revelations do you think he will help Kevin reach? Also, how do you think their movie will turn out? Sound off in the comments, and keep the conversation going over on Twitter at @thisisuscrying!

This Is Us returns for Season 2 on Tuesday, September 26 at 9/8c on NBC.

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