An In-Depth Guide to Understanding the Pearson Family Tree in This Is Us

Summary

The Pearson family is at the heart of "This Is Us," and the show revolves around the lives of Jack, Rebecca, Kevin, Kate, and Randall.

The show captivates viewers with its poignant and unpredictable narrative, awe-inspiring acting, and profound ability to resonate with the audience. The impact of Jack's demise and its aftermath resonates deeply with the Pearsons, as they grapple with sorrow and the journey towards recovery throughout their lifetimes.

The heart of the television series This Is Us lies with the Pearson family, a mostly close-knit group that spans multiple generations over the course of its six-season run. The pilot episode of this NBC drama introduced a plot twist, revealing that the show would navigate through various timelines while unraveling the Pearsons' story. Although about 16 family members appeared throughout the series' 106 episodes, the most significant ones were undoubtedly Jack, Rebecca, Kevin, Kate, and Randall. These core characters were central to the overarching narrative, even though one of them had passed away in the present timeline.

Created by Dan Fogelman, This Is Us achieved considerable success during its airtime from 2016 to 2022, receiving numerous awards. The show captivated audiences with its heartfelt and surprising storytelling, exceptional performances, and ability to form a deep connection with viewers. Despite its straightforwardness, the show's focus on the Pearson family, the tragedies and heartbreaks they experienced, and the profound moments they shared were the elements that ultimately earned it success. Regrettably, This Is Us reached its conclusion with the season 6 finale on May 24, 2022, providing a satisfying ending to the Pearson family's story.

Stanley Pearson

Marilyn Pearson

The character of Stanley Pearson, portrayed by Peter Onorati, served as the eldest member of the Pearson family in the TV series This Is Us. Unlike the caring and supportive parent one would hope for, Stanley was depicted as the complete opposite in flashbacks. He exhibited both physical and mental abuse towards his wife and children, while also struggling with alcoholism. Undoubtedly, Stanley's parenting left a lasting impact on his son Jack, who would also battle with alcohol addiction later in his life. Nevertheless, Jack was determined to break the cycle and become a much better father to his own children than Stanley ever was to him. Once he started his own family, Jack made a conscious decision to distance himself from Stanley, and the latter ultimately passed away in 1988.

Contrary to his relationship with his father, Jack held a profound affection for his mother, Marilyn Pearson, portrayed by Laura Niemi in This Is Us. As a child, he felt an undeniable urge to shield her from Stanley's harm. It was not until Jack reached adulthood that he aided Marilyn in relocating and escaping the clutches of her abusive husband. Regrettably, as Jack began his own family, he and Marilyn grew apart, as she embarked on a new life in Ohio. Their conversations were infrequent, and Marilyn only visited Jack, Rebecca, and the Big Three once, as Stanley still resided in Pittsburgh. In 1986, Marilyn passed away, and despite facing some challenges, Jack delivered an impeccable eulogy for his mother at her funeral.

Jack Pearson

Milo Ventimiglia's character, Jack Pearson, was the central figure in the beloved TV show This Is Us. Unfortunately, the audience was devastated when it was revealed that Jack had passed away in the present timeline. Despite a challenging upbringing and traumatic experiences during the Vietnam War, Jack returned home and found love with Rebecca. Their love story, often romanticized throughout the series, resulted in marriage and the birth of their triplets - Kevin, Kate, and Randall. For the most part, they lived a content life together.

However, tragedy struck the Pearson family on January 25, 1998, when their home caught fire due to a faulty crock pot. Thankfully, Kevin was not present at the time, but Jack heroically rescued Rebecca, Kate, Randall, and their dog from the burning house. Initially, Jack appeared to be unharmed, but he later had to be admitted to the hospital due to smoke inhalation. Tragically, while at the hospital, Jack unexpectedly suffered a heart attack and passed away. His untimely death had a profound impact on the remaining Pearsons, who grappled with grief for the majority of their lives.

Nicky Pearson

At the start of This Is Us, the audience was kept in the dark about Nicky Pearson's existence. Jack, played by Michael Angarano and Griffin Dunne, had disowned his brother after their time in the Vietnam War. Jack's protective instinct towards Nicky, which was inherited from their mother, led him to follow his brother to Vietnam after Nicky was enlisted. Unfortunately, Nicky faced immense struggles during the war, which made him bitter. A tragic incident involving a grenade and the death of a young Vietnamese boy caused Jack to believe that Nicky intentionally killed him, leading Jack to cut his brother out of his life.

To protect Nicky's reputation, Jack told everyone that Nicky had died while serving, even though he was alive and not doing well. The brothers had a brief reunion when Jack visited Nicky to ask him to stop sending postcards. During this visit, Nicky learned about his sister-in-law and his two nephews and niece. That was the last time Nicky saw Jack. However, years later, Kevin sought out Nicky and embraced him as part of the Pearson family once again.

Rebecca Pearson

Rebecca Malone, portrayed by Mandy Moore, grew up in a privileged household adhering to strict traditional gender roles, which she vehemently opposed. Meeting Jack Pearson, she embraced the opportunity for a fresh start. Rebecca aspired to become a singer, yet after a sojourn in Los Angeles, she returned to Pittsburgh and eventually tied the knot with Jack. Their blissful existence encompassed three children. However, as aforementioned, tragedy struck upon Jack's demise in the late 1990s. Rebecca found herself thrust into the role of sole caretaker for her grieving teenagers. Despite the challenges, she exhibited unwavering resilience.

Many years after Jack's passing, Rebecca embarked on a romantic relationship with Miguel Rivas, his devoted confidant, much to the initial disapproval of her children. Over time, Kevin, Kate, and Randall reconciled themselves to their mother's new liaison, leading to Rebecca and Miguel's marriage. As she aged, Rebecca was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, succumbing to the disease in 2033 at 82 years old.

Kevin Pearson

Kevin Pearson, the eldest sibling in This Is Us, faced numerous challenges throughout his life, just like the rest of the Pearson family. Sadly, his promising football career was abruptly ended by a debilitating injury prior to his father's passing. This setback led him down a different path. After high school, Kevin tied the knot with his high school sweetheart, Sophie. However, their marriage came to an end when Kevin's pursuit of an acting career in Los Angeles led him to betray Sophie with infidelity. Losing both Jack and Sophie left Kevin adrift for an extended period, ultimately leading him into addiction, mirroring his father's struggles.

Thankfully, Kevin found redemption when he engaged in a one-night encounter with Madison Simons, his sister's closest friend, which unexpectedly led to her becoming pregnant with twins — Nick and Franny. Initially, Kevin and Madison attempted to build a romantic relationship and even came close to tying the knot. However, they soon realized that their futures were not meant to intertwine. It was only years later, at Kate's second wedding, that Kevin reconnected with Sophie. Recognizing a second chance, they decided to give their love another try. Kevin and Sophie subsequently wed before the passing of Rebecca, finally providing Kevin with the happy ending he had longed for.

Kate Pearson

Deeply impacted by the loss of her father, Kate Pearson from the beloved series This Is Us struggled with her weight and grappled with guilt surrounding her father's death. Despite her own challenges, she often served as the voice of reason and mediator between her brothers Kevin and Randall. Eventually, Kate found healing and love in Toby Damon, with whom she shared the joy of raising two children, Jack and Hailey. Sadly, their relationship ended in divorce. Kate then embarked on a new professional journey as a music teacher for blind children at her son's school, where she eventually crossed paths with Phillip. Initially, their connection remained platonic due to Kate's marital status. However, after her divorce, their bond evolved into a romantic relationship, and they later tied the knot.

Randall Pearson

During childbirth, Jack and Rebecca tragically lost their third child, Kyle. In the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, they made the life-changing decision to adopt Randall Pearson, brilliantly portrayed by Sterling K. Brown, on the beloved show This Is Us. Randall's biological father, William Hill, left him at a fire station on the day of his birth, mistakenly believing that Randall's biological mother, Laurel Dubois, passed away from a heroin overdose. Firefighters promptly brought Randall to the hospital, where Jack caught a glimpse of him in the nursery. Strongly moved, he persuaded Rebecca to bring him home, alongside their other children, Kevin and Kate. Despite the abundant love shared within the Pearson family, Randall faced an ongoing struggle to feel a true sense of belonging.

Destiny intervened during Randall's college years when he crossed paths with Beth Clarke, and the rest became history. Following their graduation, the couple tied the knot and embarked on creating their own family. During the course of the show's first season, Randall daringly left his job to pursue a career in politics. Over time, he flourished and eventually rose to the position of senator. Contemplating the possibility of running for president, Randall's future remained uncertain as the NBC series concluded, leaving fans eager but ultimately unfulfilled in discovering whether he would occupy the White House.

Beth Pearson

Deja Pearson

Beth Pearson, portrayed by Susan Kelechi Watson, stood out as the most level-headed member of This Is Us' Pearson family. She possessed a keen understanding of the family's dynamics, knowing when to step back from disagreements and when to intervene. Beth's connection with Randall began during their college years, and prior to that, she harbored aspirations of becoming a dancer. Unfortunately, the intense competitiveness of the sport, combined with her father's passing, caused her to abandon her dreams and pursue a college education instead. Once married to Randall, Beth welcomed the arrival of their two daughters, Tess and Annie, and later embraced the opportunity to adopt Deja. Towards the conclusion of the series, Beth reclaimed her passion for dance and fulfilled her long-held ambition by establishing a dance school.

In This Is Us, Randall made the decision to provide a child with the same upbringing he had experienced. This led him to persuade Beth to adopt, resulting in the introduction of Deja, portrayed by Lyric Ross. Deja had a challenging upbringing due to her neglectful biological mother, Shauna Andrews. As a consequence, she had to mature quickly and move between foster homes. Eventually, she found a stable and loving home with the Pearson family. Adapting to her new circumstances proved difficult for Deja initially. However, as time went on, she formed a strong bond with Randall, Beth, Tess, and Annie. In the future timeline, Deja becomes a doctor and finds love with her high school sweetheart, Malik Hodges.

Tess Pearson

Tess Pearson, portrayed by Eris Baker, served as the firstborn of Randall and Beth in the television series This Is Us. Similar to the other members of the Pearson family, Tess had a strong bond with her loved ones throughout the NBC drama. However, her relationship with Beth encountered difficulties when Tess disclosed her sexual orientation to her mother. Although Beth did not judge her daughter's sexuality, she grappled with accepting it. Eventually, they reconciled, and in the future, Tess pursued a career as a social worker.

Annie Pearson

In This Is Us on NBC, Faithe Herman brought to life the character of Annie Pearson, the youngest daughter of Randall and Beth. Although Annie's storyline didn't receive much emphasis during the show's six seasons, she was frequently portrayed as having a strong bond with her parents and siblings. Her primary challenge stemmed from being the youngest and the smallest, but this obstacle gradually diminished as she grew older.

Jack Damon

Hailey Damon

One of the few Pearson grandkids to have a notable storyline in the future timeline was Jack Damon, the son of Kate and Toby. Jack was born with blindness, which posed a significant adjustment for his parents and became a source of contention for them in later episodes. As an adult, portrayed by Blake Stadnik, Jack achieved fame as a talented singer. He married Lucy, a waitress, and together they had a daughter named Hope.

In This Is Us season 5, Kate and Toby adopted Hailey Damon as a baby. However, in the season 4 finale, a future timeline showed Hailey as an adult, portrayed by Adelaide Kane. While little is known about Hailey, it is clear that she has a strong connection to the Pearson family. We see her visiting her brother, Jack, and his partner Lucy at the hospital after Lucy gives birth to Hope.

Nick Pearson

Kevin and Madison's son, Nicholas "Nick" Pearson, was portrayed by Preston Oliver in the television series This Is Us. Nick primarily appeared in a crucial flash forward depicting Rebecca's final moments, where the Pearson family assembled at the cabin to bid her farewell.

Franny Pearson

Nick was given his name to honor his Uncle Nicky, as Kevin and Nicky developed a profound bond throughout the show.

Jasper McPherson portrayed Frances "Franny" Pearson, the youngest member of the Pearson family in the television series This Is Us. Franny, Nick's twin sister, is the daughter of Kevin and Madison. Similar to her brother, Franny predominantly appears in the flash-forward scenes set at the cabin in This Is Us.