[Nici]

Milo Ventimiglia, 30, has a talent for dodging bullets. First there was a planned ‘Gilmore Girls’ spin-off that went belly-up, leaving the kid free to join NBC’s ‘Heroes.’ Then there was ‘Rocky Balboa’—he played Stallone’s son—a bad idea on paper that became the surprise hit of 2006. More recently, it was a reported relationship with costar Hayden Panettiere, who was (gulp) just 17 when they met. Here, we confront perhaps the luckiest man alive.

It seems like you’ve aged a decade since the first season of ‘Heroes.’ What gives?
Going through my twenties playing a teenager was kind of rough. I just finally put on a little man-weight. My face changed. Nothing I could do about it, man. It was a fucking train I could not stop.

The writers’ strike shut down television production. What did you do with all that free time?
I’m busy as ever. I’ve got a production company. I did two movies before Christmas—one with Gerard Butler, and then one called ‘Chaos Theory,’ with Rhys Coiro. I really wanted to work with Rhys.

Uh, who is Rhys Coiro?
Do you watch ‘Entourage’? You know the crazy director, Billy Walsh? That’s Rhys Coiro.

I love that young Hollywood watches ‘Entourage.’ That’s like me watching a reality show about Jews in publishing.
My friends definitely ask me: “Would I be Turtle or Drama?” I’m like, Dude, you’re my friend. This is real life and that’s a TV show. But I’m a fan. I don’t necessarily go out and party and live that lifestyle.

Right, HALO. That’s what the blogs are calling you and Hayden. Does the nickname bug you?
You know what, man—it makes me smile.

If you two are dating, why not just say so? I read you bought the girl a ring from Tiffany’s!
When you’re in the public eye, you try to keep whatever you can private. People can speculate and talk. But what can you do—stop living your life?

Hayden was GQ’s Obsession of the Year. Did you like those photos?
Yes, I did. They were very nice.

Last question: You played Stallone’s son in ‘Rocky Balboa.’ Great movie. But the guy is starting to look like a Picasso. What’s that face look like up close?
He’s a good-looking guy. If I look like Sly at 60, I’ll be pretty happy myself.

Quelle