Though he found universal fame when he starred in the hit drama series This Is Us alongside Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Milo Ventimiglia and Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley had long been in the television sphere. While today he’s playing a seasoned survivalist and seeker of missing people in the hit series Tracker on CBS, it’s been quite the journey for the 47-year-old actor. Here, read all about Justin Hartley and the movies and TV shows that have defined his career.
Justin Hartley’s early life and career
Born and raised in Illinois, Hartley broke out onto the acting scene in 2002 when he took on the role of Fox Crane in the popular daytime soap opera Passions, which he worked on until 2006. Though only just getting started in the television biz, the 2000s proved to be fruitful for the young actor, as he could also be seen in major hits like Smallville, where he played the part of Oliver Queen, as well as in series like CSI: NY, Cold Case and Gemini Division.
He continued his television run after his time on Smallville came to an end, making appearances in popular series like Castle, Hart of Dixie, Emily Owens M.D., Melissa & Joey and drama series Revenge, but in 2014, he jumped right back into the world in which he got his start: soaps.
Joining the cast of soap opera The Young and the Restless, Hartley played the part of Adam Newman so expertly that he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. It was in 2016, however, when he landed the lead role of Kevin Pearson in This Is Us that things would really shift for him.
Becoming Kevin Pearson in This Is Us
In the hit “dramedy” series, Hartley’s character of Kevin shows a lot of growth from start to finish. The show had both heavy moments of heartbreak, as well as tender moments of love, that made it a fan-favorite for years, and to this day, it’s one we look back on fondly.
“It was the greatest job I’ve ever had,” Hartley told Newsweek in 2022 as the show was nearing its end. “The opportunities that it gave me, in the way it changed my life, I could just go on and on. I mean, it changed everything about everything, the way people perceive me, there’s all this stuff.”
What has Justin Hartley been doing since This Is Us?
After This Is Us concluded, the actor has certainly kept himself busy with a wide range of projects. He starred in the 2022 holiday film The Noel Diary, but most recently, he’s found a loyal following once again thanks to his starring role as Colter Shaw in Tracker. His character is a skilled survivalist who uses his tracking skills to locate those who have gone missing.
With 22 episodes in the second season, Hartley thinks the show’s longevity relies on his character’s development throughout the seasons.
“As competent and confident as Colter is, I don’t at all think for a second that he doesn’t have a ton to learn, especially about himself and his family and all that,” Hartley told TV Insider. “Going forward, I think that will be how the show lives on a long runway, is that we keep developing this character and he becomes better at what he’s doing. He’s a restless man, and for an audience member, at least shows that I love to watch, you love to see that growth of a character and we have that.”
Though nothing has been confirmed regarding a third season, watch the next episode at 8:30 p.m. this Sunday on CBS.
