Justin Hartley Says Connecting with Daughter, 19, Is the ‘Best’: 'Another Friend You Can Talk to’ (Exclusive)

The actor shares his teenage daughter Isabella Hartley with ex-wife Lindsay Korman-Hartley

Justin Hartley has a built-in best friend through his daughter, Isabelle Hartley.

The actor, 47 — who stars in CBS’ new series Tracker, where he plays a bounty hunter meets a private eye — tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that bonding with his 19-year-old daughter, who he shares with ex-wife Lindsay Korman-Hartley, is an experience like no other.

“It’s great, I love it. It’s the best,” Justin says of being a dad. “Having an adult, it’s like having another friend to talk to. She’s really wonderful.”

“I don’t think being a dad is enough for me anyway,” he continues. “Dad always comes first. I think when she’s 30, dad will come first.”

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Justin Hartley and daughter Isabella Hartley at the Halloween Party held at Universal CityWalk on October 20, 2007 in Hollywood, California.

Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage

Who is Justin Hartley’s daughter? All about Isabella Justice Hartley

Isabella was born to Justin and Korman-Hartley after the former couple met on the set of the soap opera Passions in 2003. They later married in May 2004 and then welcomed their daughter just a few months later in July.

Isabella graduated from high school in May 2022 and began studying at the University of California, Santa Cruz the following fall. “So proud of my baby girl who is no longer a baby. I love you Isabella! We’re coming to UCSC!! ❤️🥳 @isabellahartley 🦄🎓,” Korman-Hartley wrote on Instagram as she started.

According to Justin, watching his teenage daughter achieve success in her life – whether professionally, personally or academically – makes him a proud father.

“If you had a bucket list of things that kids should be doing from the time they’re an adolescent to the time they’re an adult, she hit all the positives,” he says. “She just made it easier for me, so that’s good.”

Justin Hartley and daughter Isabella Hartley at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

TrackerJustin Hartley says he’s finally found ‘peace’ and wants to leave ‘screen drama’ (Exclusive)

Right now, Justin says he’s “a little reflective, because sometimes I look at her, and then I’ll have a memory of the first time… she could barely walk, or the first time she had to put shoes on… or the first time she spoke. ”

“It’s just hard to believe it’s the same person and it’s hard to believe it was so long ago because it seems like yesterday,” he continues. “So it puts things into perspective.”

Justin adds, “You learn to enjoy every moment and not waste moments on things that just don’t matter.”

Tracker premiering after Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11 on CBS.

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