This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
On NBC's 'This Is Us,' Randall Pearson's storyline has had its fair share of tear-jerking moments. One of the most emotional episodes is 'Memphis,' where Randall says goodbye to his dying father. The scene is all the more affecting for Sterling K. Brown, who played Randall, as it mirrors his own experience of losing his father at a young age.
Published on November 2019 in Men's Health, Brown spoke about the scene and how it allowed him to process his grief. 'I would've liked to have been there to say goodbye,' he said. 'And I actually think that 'This Is Us' provided an opportunity for me in character to kind of do that, which is kind of lovely.'
Brown's father passed away when he was 10 years old due to a diabetes-induced heart attack. He remembers the day vividly, recalling how his father was stiff and unable to move his feet or toes. Brown carried his father down the front steps, and his father winked at him before passing away.
Although there are few overlaps between Brown's and Randall's histories, Brown has been open about drawing from his own experiences to inform his character. He spends a lot of time in the writer's room, hoping to add depth to Randall's story.
One of the most poignant moments in the episode is when Randall's father asks him not to call his grandchildren to say goodbye, as he had already said goodbye to them when they were laying down. Instead, he wants them to remember looking up at him, not down. 'I want them to remember looking up at me. Not down. Up.'
