Justin Hartley
An actor who evolved from soap opera heartthrob to a primetime anchor, capturing a massive audience as the beloved Kevin Pearson on 'This Is Us.'
Born 1977 (age 49)·American actor·Birthday: January 29·Generation X
Biography
Justin Hartley's career is a masterclass in television persistence and charm. He first gained attention as the dashing Fox Crane on the gothic soap 'Passions,' a role that established his daytime appeal. He then spent five years as a superhero-in-training, playing Oliver Queen/Green Arrow on 'Smallville,' which cemented his status with a devoted fanbase. After various roles, including a stint on 'The Young and the Restless,' Hartley found the part that would define his career: Kevin Pearson on NBC's 'This Is Us.' As the vain but deeply vulnerable actor and twin brother, Hartley delivered nuanced comedy and raw emotional heft for six seasons, becoming the handsome face of a show celebrated for its heart. His performance transformed him from a reliable TV presence into a household name and executive producer.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Justin was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Justin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Justin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Kevin Pearson for all six seasons of the critically acclaimed and massively popular NBC drama 'This Is Us'.
- Portrayed Oliver Queen/Green Arrow for five seasons on the long-running series 'Smallville'.
- Received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for his role as Adam Newman on 'The Young and the Restless'.
- Served as an executive producer for several seasons of 'This Is Us' and directed an episode of the series.
Did You Know?
He was a competitive swimmer and diver in high school and initially attended Southern Illinois University on a diving scholarship.
He was married to actress Chrishell Stause from 2017 to 2021.
Hartley is an avid Chicago Cubs baseball fan.
“I think the best stories are the ones that are about the human condition.”
