The Long Road to Recognition
For years, Justin Hartley was known more for his potential than his accolades. Despite strong performances, it wasn’t until This Is Us that the industry began taking serious note of his talent. Over the course of the show’s six-season run, Hartley transitioned from underdog to awards circuit regular.
In 2018, Hartley and the This Is Us ensemble received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. It was a meaningful honor for a cast that had poured so much into a series known for emotional storytelling and character authenticity.
“That SAG Award meant the world to us,” Hartley later recalled. “It was recognition from our peers—people who understand the craft and what it takes to show up and dig deep week after week.”
Individual Recognition and Expanding Honors
Hartley’s individual performance as Kevin Pearson earned him nominations from the Critics Choice Television Awards and the People’s Choice Awards. While he didn’t walk away with solo statues, many critics and fans believed he was among the most emotionally resonant performers of his generation.
Outside of acting, Hartley received the Humanitarian Inspiration Award in 2023 from the Actors Guild Foundation, honoring his work in mental health advocacy and youth mentorship. His true crime series Truth Be Buried has also garnered buzz, earning a 2026 Documentary Impact Award nomination ahead of its premiere.
The Future of His Legacy
Though the most prestigious accolades may still be ahead, Hartley has already left a meaningful imprint on the industry. He’s widely regarded as one of television’s most consistent and committed performers—and now, as a producer, he’s creating space for other voices to rise.
He recently said in an interview: “Awards are nice. But if I can look back and say I helped tell stories that mattered, that’s the real win.”
With a deepening body of work, creative ambition, and personal authenticity, it’s likely that future honors are on the horizon. But for Justin Hartley, the journey itself—and the lives touched along the way—will always mean more than a golden statue on a shelf.
