Parker Bates Talks ‘This is Us’ and Getting Advice from Milo Ventimiglia [Exclusive Interview]

Young Parker Bates is in the unique position of being one of three actors to play the same character — at different stages in life — on the hit NBC drama This is Us. Bates plays young Kevin Pearson, which began as a small guest role, but now Bates is a series regular.

I recently had the chance to chat with Bates about working on This is Us, what he loves most about young Kevin, and the advice he’s gotten from on-screen dad Milo Ventimiglia. He also shared an interesting behind-the-scenes tidbit about his character.

First, though, Bates explained how he got started with acting, which he’s been doing since he was six years old.

“It started out with my brother. He started acting in commercials, and then I went to one of his auditions, and I thought it was kind of interesting. So I asked them if I could audition, and they said yes, and then I booked the job.” That commercial was for Leap Frog, and Bates said he’s been acting ever since.

But getting the part on This is Us? That was beyond exciting for Bates and his family.

“We heard the big news that I booked [the role], and we were jumping off the walls!” Bates exclaimed.

“I had a guest star role on the show to start off with, but then probably around seven episodes into it, I got a series regular role. I was really excited because I thought I was going to come back once or twice to be on the show, but then it ended up being for two years.”

The role of young Kevin is also a fun one for Bates to play. “When he’s little, he’s like the naughty, mischievous kid, so that’s pretty fun.”

And for Bates, the relationships between young Kevin and his siblings are very realistic. “Kevin takes care of his sister, but then he fights with Randall, and that’s kind of what I would do with brother,” he admitted.

Bates shared a bit about what it’s like behind the scenes as well, including the advice he’s gotten from on-screen dad Milo Ventimiglia.

“Everyone is really nice. The crew, they’re all nice to the kids,” Bates said. “I’ve learned just to do my best, and Milo gives me advice.”

In fact, Milo Ventimiglia has been a major influence for Bates when it comes to learning about acting. “He helps me, and he gives me advice like, just do your best, and listen to your scene partner, and be in the moment.”

“One time, I was in a scene where they changed my lines, and Milo came up to me and he said, ‘it’s okay, you can have all the time that you want — just ask them for some time,'” Bates recalled.

Bates remembered a moment when Ventimiglia was really there for him on set as well.

“There was one scene, it was episode 13 of last season, when it was our birthday, we were having a sword fight because it was Princess Bride. So then this one kid accidentally hit me in the face and it hurt a little, and I started to cry a little bit,” he remembered. “Milo was the first one to come and make sure that I was okay, because my mom wasn’t there on set yet.”

When it comes to filming, costumes and make-up are especially important on This is Us. “It’s really cool how the make-up people age Mandy, because they have [to use] prosthetics,” Bates said.

He also shared the one thing he and Logan Shroyer, who plays teenage Kevin, have to do in order to look more like Justin Hartley.

“Justin has brown eyes, but then I have blue eyes and Logan has blue eyes, so me and Logan both have to put in brown contacts,” Bates revealed.

Bates said he gets along with his on-screen siblings really well. “We usually go to each others’ birthday parties, and then sometimes we just go hang out and have ice cream. Or if we’re all in town we’ll go eat out or something.”

When Bates isn’t working on This is Us or focusing on school, he loves playing soccer.

“I’m pretty busy with soccer practice and soccer games,” he said, adding that he’s currently participating in a tournament and has made it to the finals. Bates also mentioned snowboarding and jumping on his trampoline as favorite activities.

Be sure to catch Parker Bates on This is Us, airing Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

*Featured image credit: Leslie Alejandro

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