Arlington, VA., May 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On a mission to help the USO keep service members connected to family, home and country, the cast of “This Is Us” visited more than 250 soldiers, Marines, airmen and their families. The event, which took place at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, came complete with handshakes, hugs and expressions of thanks by “This Is Us” stars Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, Chris Sullivan and Susan Kelechi Watson, who spent the day touring military units and dining with service members. ***Photo link below***
DETAILS:
- The cast members took a tour of the 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron, where they were treated to a hands-on demonstration. They also visited the Marine Aircraft Group 49, where they got an up-close look at several aircraft, including CH-53, Cobra and Huey helicopters.
- The cast capped off their visit by joining service members for lunch at the mess hall.
- “This Is Us” is a refreshingly honest series that follows a unique ensemble as the character’s paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways. From the writer and directors of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” comes a smart, modern dramedy that challenges everyday presumptions about the people you think you know.
- This week’s visit marks the first USO experience for the group, with the exception of Milo Ventimiglia, who has participated in three USO tours. Ventimiglia first toured with the USO in 2008 and has visited more than 6,800 troops and military families stationed in five countries. He has traveled with the USO to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Germany and Turkey.
- Season 2 of NBC’s “This Is Us” will move from Tuesdays to Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET. A special edition of the show will air on February 4, 2018, immediately after the Super Bowl. In the meantime, fans can watch all of Season 1 now on the NBC App.
- MILO VENTIMIGLIA is an American actor, producer, and director who has built a resume of new media, television and film credits. Recently, he appeared on the big screen in the thriller “Madtown,” and just wrapped up production on the sci-fi mystery “Devil’s Gate.” Other film credits include “Rocky Balboa,” “Grown Ups 2” and “Killing Season,” among others. Notable television stints include “Gilmore Girls,” “Heroes,” “American Dreams,” as well as guest appearances on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “CSI.” In new media, Ventimiglia produced and starred in “Relationship Status” on the Verizon Go90 app. With his production company, DiVide Pictures, Ventimiglia is working on an independent film and launched two comic book titles with Top Cow Productions.
- MANDY MOORE is a Grammy® and Golden Globe® nominated actress, singer and songwriter. She first came to national attention in 1999 with the release of her debut album, “So Real,” which reached platinum status in three months. Moore recently wrapped production for Fox’s sci-fi thriller “The Darkest Minds” and will be seen in Freestyle’s thriller “47 Meters Down,” set for release on June 16. She has appeared in numerous films, including “A Walk to Remember,” “Saved,” “Because I Said So” and “Chasing Liberty.” Her many television roles include serving as the voice to the lead character, Rapunzel, in Disney’s animated series “Tangled” as well as appearances in “Scrubs,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Entourage.”
- CHRISSY METZ is a Golden Globe-nominated actress first discovered in Gainesville, Florida, at a local talent event she attended as a chaperone for her sister. She is best known for her roles in “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” “Loveless in Los Angeles,” “Solving Charlie,” “My Name is Earl” and “Entourage.” “Entertainment Tonight” called her one of six “breakout stars you will fall in love with this fall,” and People magazine named her to its “Ones to Watch” list.
- JUSTIN HARTLEY is an actor juggling multiple roles from prime-time television to feature films. He is currently in post-production on “Another Time,” which he also executively produced. Hartley landed his first TV role on the daytime soap “Passions” and eventually moved to prime time on “Smallville,” where he wrote and directed two episodes. Hartley also appeared in a handful of hit series including “Castle,” “Hart of Dixie,” “Revenge” and “The Young and the Restless.” His credits on the film front include “Red Canyon,” “Spring Breakdown,” “A Way with Murder” and “The Challenger.”
- CHRIS SULLIVAN is best known in his role on “The Knick.” The actor and musician has appeared on Broadway in “Lombardi,” “Chicago” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Among Sullivan’s credits are “The Normal Heart” for HBO, FX’s acclaimed series, “The Americans,” and NBC’s production of “Peter Pan Live!” Soon, he will be seen on the big screen in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Live by Night” and independent features “Morgan” and “Imperium.” When he is not acting, Sullivan writes music and plays with his band, Sully and the Benevolent Folk.
- SUSAN KELECHI WATSON is an actress, writer, singer and dancer. She has held numerous multi-episode stints on television series such as “Louie,” “The Blacklist,” “NCIS” and “The Following.” Watson has also guest starred on “Veep,” “Happyish,” “Blue Bloods,” “Billions” and the upcoming HBO series “Divorce.” Her film credits consist of the period drama “Peter and John” and the independent film “Small, Beautifully Moving Parts.”
QUOTES:
Attributed to Milo Ventimiglia:
“Service members are out every day, giving everything. … It’s the smallest and easiest thing to do to recognize the great work that all of our service members do for us. So, to show up, shake some hands, hold some babies is awesome."
Attributed to Mandy Moore:
“We don’t get opportunities like this. … This is all new territory and it is super exciting and its fun for us to get to meet people and see how this joint base operates.”
Attributed to Chrissy Metz:
“We get to live our dreams, [and] the only way we could do that is if we have freedom and security of our country. So … to even see how all of this is run, is such a gift that we get to provide and hopefully we get to bring entertainment to [service members and military families].”
Attributed to Justin Harley:
“It’s wonderful to be here and be able to look our service men and women in the eye and say, ‘Thank you for your service’ and have them smile and be excited. … They work so hard. It seems like they are always working and to see them check out in their minds just for a second and interact with us and have fun and laugh. It feels good.”
Attributed to Susan Kelechi Watson:
“It’s really such an honor to even be invited to be here. We jumped at the opportunity to do it.”
MULTI-MEDIA:
Tour Photos & USO Video: http://bit.ly/2oK2DYD
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About the USO:
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President’s Circle Partners: AT&T, Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, FedEx, Jeep, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, NFL, Southern New Hampshire University and Four-Star Partners: Altria, BIC, ConAgra Foods, GEICO, Harris Teeter, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, TKS, USAA and the Wawa Foundation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/265dd29b-6d2a-47ad-9805-b0e522573104
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4997d4df-40ff-4750-a23e-322391bbab78