I have explored the Enneagram types of This Is Us characters in great detail over the last few months. I hope that it has been a fun and enlightening exploration! Before I move on to something new, I wanted to wrap it up by providing summaries and compiling all the Enneagram types of This Is Us characters in one place. Remember the The Enneagram Institute and Truity are great resources to learn more about the Enneagram.
The Big Three
Kevin Pearson (Enneagram 6)
Enneagram 6 is called “The Loyalist.” They most fear being without guidance or support, and Keven demonstrates this fear and many other Type 6 characteristics. He can be very reactive, and he often looks outside of himself for reassurance. We see his dependence from the time he is a little boy, and he often struggles with insecurity and indecision. But he also shows Type 6 qualities in his loyalty and support of his family. Kevin won’t abandon people when they need him. During the course of the series, he learns how to trust himself and his inner guidance.
Kate Pearson (Enneagram 3)
Although at first I thought Kate might be an Enneagram 2, I came to believe she is an Enneagram 3. Her underlying motivations seem to be more about motivating others and achieving success than ‘helping.’ Additionally, there are multiple examples of Kate viewing accomplishment being what gives her worth. She shows an Enneagram 3 fear of being worthless, and she expresses her frustration with feeling behind her brothers multiple times as she grows. But even though she struggles with trying to meet others’ definition of success, she does eventually learn how to embrace her achievements on her own terms.
Randall Pearson (Enneagram 1)
Enneagram 1, or “The Reformer” fears being bad, so they dedicate their efforts to perfection to be seen as good. If this doesn’t describe Randall Pearson, I don’t know what does! We regularly see how Randall feels disconnected from his family both as an adopted black child in a white family AND from the biological family that abandoned him. There are also repeated instances of him telling us he’s trying to be perfect and others acknowledging they see it. He feels responsible for everyone and everything, and he expresses it by making it clear he thinks he knows best. But as the series progresses, we also see Randall loosen his grip on perfection and realize he doesn’t have to fix everything.
The Parents
Jack Pearson (Enneagram 8)
It is appropriate that the Pearson family patriarch would be an Enneagram 8, “The Protector.” His family adores him for his strong leadership and unwavering dedication to them. It isn’t that he is perfect. Like other Type 8s, he retreats into himself sometimes when things get hard. He struggles to show vulnerability, which sometimes causes issues with his family. But he also does whatever it takes to help and support his children, even when it is uncomfortable for him.
Rebecca Pearson (Enneagram 9)
Enneagram 9s are “The Peacemakers,” and they truly seek to maintain peace of mind and stability in their worlds. Rebecca exhibits these traits as a mother of small children and serving as mediator once they are grown. Like many Type 9s, Rebecca learned at a young age that it wasn’t okay to assert herself because it upset her mother. As a grandmother, she shares with one of the grandkids that she caused herself physical harm by trying to keep unhappy secrets inside. She tries to avoid pushing her kids too hard when they are young. However, over time, she does learn how to speak up for her family’s harmony instead of staying quiet to maintain the peace.
William Hill (Enneagram 4)
Enneagram 4 is referred to as “The Individualist,” and William really fits the bill. He isn’t afraid to feel unpleasant feelings, which is a hallmark of the Type 4. When we first meet William, it is when Randall confronts him about being his biological father and leaving him at a fire station. It is pretty clear in that moment that William has accepted his flaws and can handle the emotional discomfort of the moment. A younger William also spends a lot of time focusing on the way he struggles and the losses in his life. These are all indicators of an Enneagram 4 spending time in the dark places, worried about the ways he is defective. However, an older, wiser William accepts his perceived defects and finds authentic ways to express himself and build a relationship with Randall and his family because of his unique identity.
The Spouses
Beth Pearson (Enneagram 8)
I think it’s truly fitting that Randall’s wife would be the same Enneagram type as his father. She creates a balance to his tendencies that were sorely lacking after they lost Jack. Beth tells it like it is, which is very much an Enneagram 8 characteristic. However, she is able to do so with kindness and care. And while she clearly demonstrates resistance to control, she also protects the ones she loves when they need it. While I wouldn’t say she spends the whole series at the healthiest levels of an Enneagram 8, I do think that she represents the best qualities of her type throughout the series.
Toby Damon (Enneagram 7)
Toby Damon is the life of the party, cutting up and entertaining others from the moment we meet him. This is very much a sign that he is an Enneagram 7 or “The Enthusiast.” His struggle to find satisfaction and avoidance of unpleasant feelings further remind me of Type 7 traits. Toby learned as a child that he could use humor to lighten the mood, and this tendency followed him into adulthood. The fact that he begins demonstrating Type 1 traits by going into research mode to try to find a way to fix his son’s blindness. The writers do a great job at showing how Toby represents both the good and the bad sides of being an Enneagram 7.
The Father Figures
Miguel Rivas (Enneagram 2)
Enneagram 2 is known as “The Helper,” and Miguel can definitely be counted on to help the ones he loves. Heck, he was helping Jack out the first time they met! He clearly desires the love and acceptance of the Pearson family, which also indicates a Type 2. After Jack dies, Miguel sacrifices a lot to be there for Rebecca, including denying his own feelings for her in order to be the support she needs. When she gets sick when they are older, he does everything he can to take care of her. He has a hard time accepting outside help in spite of his own declining health. Even though sometimes Miguel’s motivation may be to feel loved himself, I believe he has a genuine desire to be of service to others.
Nicky Pearson (Enneagram 5)
Nicky strikes me as an Enneagram 5 in a way that balances out his big brother as a Type 8. It seems fitting that their childhood would result in reinforcing Nicky’s tendencies as “The Investigator.” He is afraid of feeling helpless, especially without Jack. So, he spends most of his life isolated from others to avoid depending on anyone. Nicky struggles greatly with the external world, especially his time in Vietnam and all that happens there. He turns to drugs to escape a world that is overwhelming and scary. Although he is initially resistant, he eventually accepts Kevin’s attempts to help and connect with him. Ultimately, he goes from being isolated and withdrawn to demonstrating a Type 5 integrating to Type 8 by becoming more action-oriented and participating in the world.
Final Thoughts on the Enneagram Types of This Is Us Characters
It’s hard to believe I have gotten through all the posts of the Enneagram types of This Is Us characters that I intended to do. Granted, I took a few breaks in there, but I started this series at the beginning of January! I ended up doing a few more in-depth profiles than I thought I would, too!! So, what do you think? Did I get the all Enneagram types of This Is Us characters right, or would you assign a different type? Let me know in the comments!
