What Happened to Justin Hartley?

Justin Hartley's career has seen a steady ascent, from his early days in daytime soap operas to becoming a household name in primetime television. He first gained recognition for his role as Fox Crane on NBC's 'Passions' from 2002 to 2006, followed by his portrayal of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow in The CW's 'Smallville' from 2006 to 2011. He continued to build his resume with recurring and leading roles in series like 'Mistresses' and 'Revenge,' before taking on the role of Adam Newman in the CBS soap opera 'The Young and the Restless' from 2014 to 2016.

His career reached a significant turning point with his casting as Kevin Pearson in the NBC drama 'This Is Us' in 2016. The show became a critical and commercial success, running for six seasons until May 2022. Hartley's performance earned him widespread acclaim and multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the show's ensemble for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. During and after 'This Is Us,' Hartley also ventured into film, appearing in 'A Bad Moms Christmas' (2017), 'The Exchange' (2021), 'Senior Year' (2022), and 'The Noel Diary' (2022).

Following the conclusion of 'This Is Us,' Hartley transitioned to his current leading role as Colter Shaw in the CBS action drama 'Tracker,' which premiered in February 2024. The series quickly became one of the most-watched new shows on broadcast television, leading to an early renewal for a second season in March 2024. Season 2 of 'Tracker' premiered in October 2024, and the show's success continued, leading to a renewal for a fourth season in January 2026. In a significant development for the series, it was announced in May 2026 that 'Tracker' would be moving its production from Vancouver to Los Angeles starting with Season 4, a move incentivized by a substantial California tax credit. Hartley, who also serves as an executive producer on 'Tracker,' expressed his excitement for this new chapter.

In his personal life, Justin Hartley married actress Sofia Pernas in May 2021. The couple, who first met on the set of 'The Young and the Restless,' have often spoken about their strong relationship. In May 2026, Hartley shared insights into his marriage on a podcast, emphasizing the importance of protecting their bond from external influences. Beyond 'Tracker,' Hartley has also expanded his work into audio, lending his voice to James Patterson's Audible Original audiobook 'Trapped,' released in February 2026. Looking ahead, Hartley is set to deliver the commencement address at Knox College in June 2026, where he will also receive an honorary degree.