Justin Hartley was born in Knoxville, Illinois, but grew up in nearby Orland Park. A graduate of the University of Illinois, he began his acting career in 2002, when he joined the cast of the daytime drama Passions. He appeared as Fox Crane, and his portrayal became a hit with fans. He stayed with the soap until 2006.
That year, he appeared in a pilot for the comic-book series Aquaman. The supposed spin-off of Smallville tanked, though, and Hartley ended up with a guest role on the main show itself. His character, businessman Oliver Queen, was supposed to last for only seven episodes, but he later returned in 2008 as a regular cast member. He is the first person to play comic book superhero Green Arrow on television.
Hartley's other credits include films such as Red Canyon and Spring Breakdown. He is currently married to his Passions co-star Lindsay Korman, with whom he has a daughter.