Actor Sterling K. Brown has detailed his mother Aralean's eight-year struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a condition that has rendered her unable to speak. Brown, 50, spoke about his mother's health journey on the 'That Was Us' podcast, a re-watch series for the show 'This Is Us.'
He noted a poignant connection between his personal experience and his role as Randall Pearson on the hit series. His character's mother, Rebecca Pearson, played by Mandy Moore, was depicted as having Alzheimer's disease. Brown shared that during the show's production, he found himself contemplating the parallel timelines of his mother's and his TV mother's declining health.
"My mom has ALS, and there was a point in time while we were shooting the show, and I remember going into the writers' room and saying, 'I don’t know which of my moms will pass away first,' between my mom versus my TV mom," Brown recounted.
Brown explained that his mother's cognitive functions remain intact, but she lost her ability to speak in October 2018. While assistive computer programs that use eye-tracking technology are available, his mother found them too physically demanding. Instead, Brown and his brother communicate with her using a reading chart.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring their actions honor his mother's wishes. "If it takes us a bit longer to get the information, then it takes us a little bit longer. But making sure each step of the journey, we [ask ourselves], are we honoring what she wants," he stated.
Brown has previously spoken about his mother's resilience. In a 2024 interview with NPR, he described her as an "extraordinary human being" who has defied medical expectations for her lifespan. He highlighted her ability to maintain joy and a radiant smile despite her debilitating illness, viewing her as a model for how to respond to difficult circumstances with grace.
On Mother's Day in 2020, Brown posted a tribute to his mother on Instagram, calling her "Grace" and thanking her for her support and love, which he said helped him recognize his own worth. "This Is Us" concluded its six-season run in May 2022.