'This Is Us' Fan's Kisses Too Much For Sandburg Grad Actor

CHICAGO, IL — An over-excited fan's inappropriate display of appreciation at a Chicago restaurant last month turned into a case of sexual harassment for one of the cast members of the NBC series "This Is Us." And the encounter became more awkward when Justin Hartley, who grew up in Orland Park and graduated from Carl Sandburg High School, tried to turn it into a teachable moment.

The incident happened when a woman accosted Hartley while he was dining with friends, the 41-year-old actor told the crowd last week at a GoodHousekeeping.com event in New York. He was in Chicago in April for C2E2, the city's comic book and pop culture convention.

"This woman — who I don’t know, a stranger to me — recognized me and started screaming, going crazy," Hartley said. "She ran over and started kissing me."

The actor, who plays Kevin Pearson on the popular series, chastised the woman after telling her to step back and give him his personal space. Although the fan was embarrassed at first, Hartley said she calmed down, and they "had a little breaking of bread, if you will."

Unfortunately, Hartley's anecdote didn't end on that happy note. The woman came up to him again while he was eating and asked for a photo together.

"I’m usually really good with photos, but I’m like, 'I’m not taking photos with you after you sexually harassed me'," Hartley said. "'I’m good without a photo.'"

The idea of leaving without a selfie did not sit well with the fan, Hartley said. And her reaction took him aback.

"As she was leaving, she was, like, ‘Justin Hartley is a jerk,’ but not really jerk — something more foul," he said. "I was, like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me'."

Hartley ate at Siena Tavern and Prime & Provisions while he was in Chicago, but a spokesperson for both restaurants told the Chicago Tribune that the fan run-in didn't happen at either eatery.

More via Good Housekeeping

Justin Hartley (Photo by Paul Drinkwater | NBCUniversal)