The award-winning actor, producer, and star of CBS’ Tracker will return to Knox County in June to deliver the commencement address at Knox College.
Justin Hartley was born in Knox County in 1977 and raised in Orland Park. At Knox’s June 7 commencement, Hartley will receive an honorary degree along with American arts executive and cultural leader Deborah Rutter and award-winning investigative reporter and community advocate Dorothy Tucker.
He will also receive an honorary degree from Knox College, along with American arts executive and cultural leader Deborah Rutter and award-winning investigative reporter and community advocate Dorothy Tucker.
Hartley currently stars in and is the executive producer for the drama series Tracker, which is in its third season and is the most-watched broadcast series on network television. Since the show debuted in February 2024, it has amassed more than 80 million viewers.
He previously starred in NBC’s critically acclaimed drama This is Us. He received multiple Critics Choice Award nominations for his role on the show, while he and his castmates won consecutive SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
“It’s not often that Knox gets to welcome a native of the Illinois prairie as its Commencement speaker, which makes awarding an honorary degree to Justin Hartley this June truly meaningful,” said Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney, in a release.
“With a career that spans more than 20 years as an actor, producer, and director, Justin’s outstanding work in television and film sets a noteworthy example of artistic achievement and personal accomplishment for the Class of 2026.”
Hartley also has numerous film credits. As a producer, Hartley he develops projects through his company, ChangeUp Productions. The company recently secured a script commitment at ABC for the drama series No Good Deed.
Hartley pursued acting while studying history and theatre at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the University of Illinois at Chicago. After moving to Los Angeles, he landed his first series regular role on the daytime drama Passions, ultimately leading him to prime time television and film.
Knox’s commencement is free and open to the public. More information can be found at www.knox.edu/commencement.