The new hit NBC drama This is Us has quickly claimed the spot as the best new show on television this fall. All of the actors and actresses have stolen the hearts of fans, and one actor is a hunk named Justin Hartley. The character Justin portrays is Kevin Pearson, an aspiring actor trying to find exactly what he wants to do while trying to learn how not to depend on his sister for everything. Hartley’s twin sister on the show, Kate, is played by the beautiful Chrissy Metz . Fans who have been following This is Us are getting to know all about Kevin, but who is Justin Hartley when he’s not on set?
Hartley, 39, grew up in Illinois and has a degree in history and theater. Justin is a huge baseball fan, and ironically, his two favorite teams are reportedly the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are going head to head right now to decide which team will head to the World Series. The Wall Street Journal caught up with Hartley recently to find out how Justin feels about being an actor playing an actor on This is Us. Justin admits he can relate to Kevin, although he says his character is probably more fun than he truly is. Hartley shares that it is easy to use personal experiences to help play the role.
Hartley has been around the acting scene for quite some time. Justin was nominated for a 2016 Daytime Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless. Hartley left that role to pursue his new role as Kevin on This is Us. Justin was also previously cast on the soap opera Passions. Aside from daytime soap opera’s, Hartley is also known for his role as billionaire Oliver Queen or The Green Arrow on the hit television show, Smallville. He also played small roles in Revenge and Mistresses. When asked how different it is working on daytime TV, as opposed to prime-time television, Hartley says prime-time has a much slower pace and more time to prepare and get it right.
When Justin isn’t acting, he is spending time with his daughter, Isabella, and his new fiance, Chrishell Stause. Hartley recently shared with People that his daughter is into performing as well. Justin said no matter what he is doing, Isbaella, who is 12, will come and get him to watch her perform. Hartley said, “She will come in and she will tell me that she has this really important dance — you know, rehearsal tomorrow, or audition or whatever for her school, and then she will proceed to do like four monologues, four songs, a dance, and the next thing you know it’s been like an hour.” It sounds like some very special and adorable bonding time for father and daughter.
Isabella was born while Hartley was married to his ex-wife, Lindsay. Hartley goes on to share how proud he is of Isabella. He says, “She’s perfect. She gets straight As. It’s like the most amazing thing that I don’t know where the hell she got it from, but she’s really good.” Isabella will have an even more important performance to prepare for in the coming months when she attends her father’s wedding. Justin says she may sing at the wedding and possibly play a double role as ring bearer and flower girl.
Soap Central reported Hartley’s engagement to his former co-star Chrishell Stause back in August. Stause is an actress on The Young and the Restless. She also formerly played on Days of Our Lives and All My Children. The couple publicly announced their relationship in 2014. Justin says the wedding planning is going well, but he feels they may be a little behind. Justin shares their wedding will be an intimate affair.
Even with Hartley’s busy schedule, he just had another first for himself. Justin made his first ever appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Just like fellow co-star Milo Ventimiglia , Hartley stripped off his shirt for a good cause. E!News shared that Justin was soaked with water balloons by Ellen and Rachel McAdams in order to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Prior to being drenched, Ellen told him an additional $10,000 would be donated by Ulta if he would take off his shirt. He, of course, obliged as the crowd cheered him on.
Hartley is definitely making a name for himself and has found a role he was born to play. Fall in love with Kevin Pearson, just like millions of others already have. Don’t miss seeing Justin Tuesday nights on NBC on the new smash hit show, This is Us.
[Featured Image by Mark Davis/Getty Images]
