Background
Hartley was born in Knoxville, Illinois, and was raised in Orland Park, Illinois, with his brother Nathan, and sisters Megan and Gabriela.
Hartley was born in Knoxville, Illinois, and was raised in Orland Park, Illinois, with his brother Nathan, and sisters Megan and Gabriela.
After graduating from Carl Sandburg High School, he attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale and University of Illinois at Chicago where he majored in history and theater.
Hartley also starred in the short-lived CW comedy-drama Emily Owens, Doctor of Medicine in 2012, before landing recurring roles in the American Broadcasting Company primetime dramas Revenge and Mistresses. On August 19, 2014, it was announced that Hartley would take over the role of Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless, succeeding Michael Muhney. Hartley first appeared on November 5, 2014.
Hartley portrayed character Fox Crane on the daytime drama Passions from December 17, 2002, to February 10, 2006.
In 2006, Hartley played the starring role as Aquaman in a television pilot for The CW titled Aquaman (or Mercy Reef), but it was not picked up as a series. Hartley did a seven-episode run as billionaire Oliver Queen on the CW series Smallville later that year.
In 2008, he returned to Smallville as a regular cast member, following the departure of Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum. Hartley also co-wrote the 2010 episode "Sacrifice" and directed the 2011 episode "Dominion".
In 2008, he starred as Tom in the film Red Canyon, filmed in the badlands of Utah.
After Smallville, Hartley starred opposite Mamie Gummer in The CW comedy-drama Emily Owens, Doctor of Medicine, but the show was cancelled after one season. He also guest-starred on Chuck, Castle, and Hart of Dixie, and from 2013 to 2014, he had a recurring role as Victoria Grayson"s (Madeleine Stowe) illegitimate son, Patrick Osbourne, on the American Broadcasting Company primetime soap opera Revenge. In February 2014, Hartley landed the lead role of Tim opposite Anna Camp in the American Broadcasting Company comedy pilot Damaged Goods, but the show was never picked up to series.
In March 2014, he was cast in the second season of the American Broadcasting Company drama series Mistresses as plastic surgeon Scott, a new love interest for Joss (Jes Macallan).