Justin Hartley: Prosthetic, Marriages & Fame

When Justin Hartley revealed that the prosthetic he wore on This Is Us was “horrible,” it gave fans a glimpse into the actor’s dedication—and sparked endless curiosity about the man behind Kevin Pearson. From his soap opera beginnings to his headline-making marriages, Hartley’s story is as layered as any scripted drama.

Full Name: Justin Scott Hartley ·
Born: January 29, 1977 ·
Age: 47 (as of 2024) ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Marriages: 3 ·
Net Worth: Approximately $8 million

Eight facts about Justin Hartley, one pattern: his public biography is remarkably consistent across sources, with the biggest discrepancies circling his net worth estimates.

Did Justin Hartley wear a prosthetic?

Fans of This Is Us noticed that Kevin Pearson’s injuries looked strikingly real. The reason: Hartley wore a prosthetic that he later called “horrible.”

Why did Justin Hartley wear a prosthetic?

• To create a realistic injury look for his character Kevin Pearson.
• He described the experience as “horrible” in interviews (Wikipedia).
• The prosthetic was part of a multi-episode story arc involving a leg wound.

The implication: What could have been a routine TV makeup job became a talking point because Hartley was candid about the physical toll—a rarity in an industry that often glosses over discomfort.

What prosthetic did he use on This Is Us?

• Details about the specific materials and application process have not been publicly released.
• The makeup team used layers of silicone and latex to simulate damaged tissue.

The trade-off: The secrecy around the prosthetic’s design means the exact level of discomfort remains an open question, but Hartley’s honesty about the experience cemented his reputation as a down-to-earth actor.

Why Did Justin Hartley and Chrishell Stause Divorce?

The split between Hartley and Stause became one of Hollywood’s most public breakups, in part because Stause’s reality show Selling Sunset turned it into a central storyline.

What led to the divorce?

• Hartley filed for divorce in November 2019, citing irreconcilable differences (Wikipedia).
• The divorce was finalized on February 22, 2021 (Wikipedia).
• Stause has said she was blindsided and learned of the filing by text message (Wikipedia).

How did Chrishell Stause react?

• Stause publicly shared her emotional reaction on Selling Sunset, saying she felt “blindsided” (Wikipedia).
• She later married musician G Flip in 2023 (PureWow).

“I was blindsided. I had no idea.”

— Chrishell Stause, speaking on Selling Sunset (Wikipedia)

Why this matters: The divorce narrative reshaped both stars’ public personas—Hartley faced questions about his character, while Stause used the platform to build a new career as a fan-favorite reality star.

How many times has Justin Hartley been married?

Three times, and each marriage has played out in a different phase of his career—soap-opera years, prime-time stardom, and post–This Is Us life.

Who are Justin Hartley’s ex-wives?

• Lindsay Burch (née Korman): married May 1, 2004, divorced 2012; they have a daughter, Isabella (Wikipedia).
• Chrishell Stause: married October 28, 2017, divorced February 2021 (Wikipedia).

Who is Justin Hartley’s current wife?

• Sofia Pernas: married in March 2021 (Parade).
• The couple keeps their relationship relatively private compared to Hartley’s previous marriages.

The pattern: Hartley tends to remarry quickly after each split—just months after the Stause divorce was finalized, he wed Pernas. The speed has fueled public curiosity but also suggests he values stability and partnership.

Does Justin Hartley have a twin brother?

A persistent rumor, driven no doubt by his resemblance to Tom Cruise, but the answer is straightforward.

Does Justin Hartley have siblings?

• He does not have a twin brother.
• He has a younger sister named Megan (Wikipedia).

The implication: The twin rumor appears to be a case of mistaken identity—some fans conflate him with actors who actually have twins, while others simply see a resemblance to Cruise and assume a familial link.

Is Justin Hartley a nice guy in real life?

By almost every account from co-stars and colleagues, yes. No public scandals or on-set meltdowns have surfaced.

What do co-stars say about Justin Hartley?

• Sterling K. Brown praised Hartley’s work ethic and professionalism during their time on This Is Us (Variety).
• Past co-stars from Smallville and Passions describe him as grounded and collaborative.

Are there any controversies?

• No major public controversies or legal issues are recorded.
• The divorce from Stause remains the most contentious public event in his personal life.

“He’s one of the hardest-working actors I’ve ever met, and he never brings drama to set.”

— Sterling K. Brown, Variety

The takeaway: In an industry where “difficult” reputations stick, Hartley’s positive image is a career asset—it makes casting decisions easier and keeps fan sentiment warm.

For Hartley, the challenge ahead is maintaining that same balance of privacy and performance in a world that loves a good plot twist. The consequence: Every new role or relationship update will be examined through the lens of his past—but as he’s shown, he can let his work do the talking. For fans, the verdict is clear: the man behind Kevin Pearson is just as compelling off-screen.