Chad Michael Murray | |
|---|---|
 Murray in 2025 | |
| Born | (1981-08-24)August 24, 1981 (age 43) Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Chad Murray |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2000–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
Chad Michael Murray (born August 24, 1981) is an American actor, writer, and former model. He played the lead role ofLucas Scott inThe WB/CW teen drama seriesOne Tree Hill (2003–09, 2012), and recurring roles asTristin DuGray onGilmore Girls (2000–01), Charlie Todd onDawson's Creek (2001–02), and Edgar Evernever onRiverdale (2019), all on the same network.
He starred in the filmA Cinderella Story (2004) and had supporting roles inFreaky Friday (2003) andFruitvale Station (2013). He went on to star inChosen (2013–14),Sun Records (2017) andSullivan's Crossing (2023–present), and appeared as main cast member inMarvel-ABC seriesAgent Carter (2015–16) and a recurring role inFox'sStar (2018–19). Murray has written agraphic novel with lead illustratorDanijel Žeželj titledEverlast (2011), and a novel co-authored withHeather Graham titledAmerican Drifter (2017).
Chad Michael Murray was born inBuffalo,New York, and was raised by a single father, Rex Murray, who worked as anaircraft pilot.[1] His mother left the family when Murray was 10 years old.[2] He has fivesiblings, consisting of a younger sister, three younger full brothers, and a younger half-brother from his father's second marriage, and has twostep-siblings, consisting of a step-sister and a step-brother.[3]
Murray attendedClarence High School inClarence, New York.[4] He became a fan of literature and played football.[5] As a teenager, he worked at theDipson Theatres inEastern Hills Mall.[6][7] In his late teens, he broke his nose. This led to reports during his career that he had received anose job. Murray clarified in a 2004 interview, "I got jumped in aBurger King when I was 18 and had my nose put on the other side of my face. It was three guys [...] The doctors didn't even bother running X-rays. They just reset it. But it wasn't a nose job—I hate the fact that people say it was a nose job!"[8]
Murray won a scholarship to attend a modeling convention inOrlando, Florida, where he met an agent who encouraged him to go to Los Angeles for a week and see what happens.[2] He subsequently got a manager and moved toHollywood in 1999.[2] Murray began modeling for brands such asSkechers,Tommy Hilfiger andGucci.[9]
In 2000, heguest starred as Dan on theMTV drama anthology seriesUndressed on the episode "Scared Stiffy" which aired on March 8 as part of its second season. Later that year, Murray was cast in the role of rich kidTristin DuGray onThe WB television seriesGilmore Girls as a recurring character in thefirst season which debuted on October 5 and in an episode of thesecond season the next year. The series became a hit and Murray would go onto become a staple actor on the network for the rest of the decade. He ended his debut year on screen appearing on the November 16 episode of theCBS crime dramaDiagnosis: Murder during its eighth season.
In 2001, he was cast in atelevision pilot for The WB, the family dramaMurphy's Dozen, which revolved around 12 children and their parents in anIrish American family inNew Jersey. The lead actressKathy Baker signed on in March and the pilot was screened for the network in May but was not picked up for the fall season.[10][11] Murray portrayed the role of teenage David Alexander in Christian Apocalyptic fiction filmMegiddo: The Omega Code 2 which released on September 7. Murray was cast in the role of womanizerCharlie Todd on The WB's hit television seriesDawson's Creek as a recurring character in thefifth season which premiered on October 10. He next appeared on an episode ofCSI: Crime Scene Investigation which aired on CBS on October 3, 2002, during its third season.[12]
In 2003, Murray began the year appearing in thefamily drama television filmA Long Way Home, also known asAftermath, playing the role of Sean in a family trying to reconcile following domestic sexual abuse. He next played the lead role of Luke Hartman on The WB'swestern television filmThe Lone Ranger which aired on February 26 and served as abackdoor pilot for a potential series run. Murray was cast in the role of love-interest Jake in theWalt Disney Pictures comedy filmFreaky Friday, starringLindsay Lohan andJamie Lee Curtis, which released in theaters on August 6. It was Disney's third adaptation of the 1972children's novel of the same name authored byMary Rodgers. The film was a critical and a major box office success, earning roughly $161 million worldwide.
Later that year, he was cast in the lead role ofLucas Scott on The WB seriesOne Tree Hill which debuted on September 23, 2003. The first-season finale garnered 4.50 million viewers. The series was one of The WB's most successful programs the year it began and continued with impressive ratings after the network merged with rivalUPN to becomeThe CW in 2006. The series earned Murray sixTeen Choice Award nominations over the years, including winningChoice TV – Breakout Actor in August 2004 andChoice TV Actor – Drama in August 2008. Stemming from the series' popularity, he and hisOne Tree Hill co-stars became official endorsers forMasterCard,K-Mart,[13]Cingular Wireless and theChevy Cobalt.[14]
In 2004, Murray starred as Austin Ames in the romantic comedy filmA Cinderella Story alongsideHilary Duff which released in July 16. The film was a box office success, earning $70.1 million worldwide, but was panned by critics.[15][16][17] The film earned Murray the award forChoice Movie – Breakout Actor in August 2004 and several more nominations at the2005 Teen Choice Awards. He is the first person to win their awards for Breakout Actor in both the TV and Movie categories in the same year. Murray was listed as one of "TV's Sexiest Guys" byPeople magazine in November 2004.[18]
He next co-starred as Nick Jones in the horror filmHouse of Wax which released theatrically on May 6, 2005. The film earned Murray two more Teen Choice Award nominations, including winningChoice Movie Actor – Action/Thriller in August 2005. Murray was listed as one of "Fall TV's Sexiest Guys" byPeople magazine in September 2005,[19] and was thecover model forTeen People magazine that same month.[20] He played the role of Private Jordan Owens in theIraq War drama filmHome of the Brave, alongsideSamuel L. Jackson,Jessica Biel and50 Cent, which test released in theaters on December 6, 2006, before alimited theatrical release on April 17, 2007.
Murray was listed at #12 onAOL Television's list of "TV's 50 Hottest Hunks Ever" on November 4, 2008.[21] In May 2009, it was reported that Murray would not be returning toOne Tree Hill for its seventh season.[22] A video of Murray was recorded in which he was telling fans that they did not want him back because they wanted to save money. However, creatorMark Schwahn said in an interview that Murray had been offered "great things" to return to the show.[23]
In 2010, Murray played the love-interest ofAlicia Keys in her music video for "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" which premiered onBET's106 & Park on May 12.[24][25] The video depicts the burgeoning romance of a young interracial couple reimagined across different eras, from the 1950s through the 2000s. It wonOutstanding Music Video at the42nd NAACP Image Awards in March 2011.[26] Murray played the role of Ethan McAllister in the drama television filmLies in Plain Sight which aired onLifetime on October 3, 2010. He played the love-interest Patrick Kerns in the television filmChristmas Cupid, alongsideChristina Milan andAshley Benson, which premiered onABC Family on December 12.[27][28]
On August 29, 2011, The CW announced that Murray would return for a guest appearance as Lucas Scott in the final season ofOne Tree Hill.[29] The episode aired on February 22, 2012, as part of the concludingninth season. He then played the male lead Jamie Tworkowski in the biographical drama filmTo Write Love on Her Arms which premiered on March 11, 2012, at theOmaha Film Festival where it won the Encore Award. The film is based on the true story of Tworkowski's founding of the Florida-based non-profit organizationof the same name helping those struggling with addiction, mental illness and self-injury, and received a limited theatrical release on March 3, 2015.
He next played the role of Thatcher in theshort filmThe Carrier which premiered on April 27, 2012, at theUSA Film Festival. On March 12, it was reported that he was cast to play the male lead Spider Elliot in a television pilot forABC,Scruples, withClaire Forlani playing the female lead Billy Orsini and withNatalie Portman serving as an executive producer. The potential series, adapted fromJudith Krantz's pioneering 1979 debutbonkbuster novel of the same name, was not picked up by the network.[30] Murray next starred as Dylan in theFunny or Die shortFirst Kiss alongsideRachael Leigh Cook which released on September 11.[31][32]
In 2013, Murray played the role of Officer Ingram in the biographical drama filmFruitvale Station, which chronicles the last day ofOscar Grant, portrayed byMichael B. Jordan, who was shot and killed by aBART Police officer inOakland, California. The film premiered at the2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19 before releasing theatrically on July 12, becoming a critical and box office success, earning $17.4 million from a budget of under a million. Murray next played male lead Andy Wyrick in the horror filmThe Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia which released on February 1. The film, inspired by the true events surrounding the Wyrick family, is Murray's first role playing a father.[33][34] He guest starred as Officer Dave Mendoza in the crime drama seriesSouthland on two episodes during its concluding fifth season which premiered onTNT on February 13. It marked his on-screen union with its co-starBen McKenzie (Officer Ben Sherman), who had playedRyan Atwood on popular teen dramaThe O.C. that debuted the same year asOTH.[35]
On October 9, 2013, it was reported that Murray was cast to join action-thriller seriesChosen onCrackle.[36] He played the lead role of Jacob Orr in the second season which premiered on December 12 that year and in the third season which released on April 15, 2014. Murray played the role of Jay in comedy filmCavemen which premiered on October 26 at the2013 Austin Film Festival before a limited theatrical release on February 7, 2014. He played the role of Tanner McCoy in comedy filmA Madea Christmas which released theatrically on December 13, 2013. Murray next co-starred in the apocalyptic thriller filmLeft Behind, playing the role of Cameron "Buck" Williams, alongsideNicolas Cage andJordin Sparks. The film, based on thenovel series of the same name authored byJerry B. Jenkins andTim LaHaye, was released on October 3, 2014.
On August 29, 2014, it was announced that Murray was cast in the role of AgentJack Thompson in the ABC spy thriller seriesAgent Carter, part of theMarvel Cinematic Universe.[37] The first season premiered on January 6, 2015,[38] and the second season premiered on January 19, 2016.[39]
Later in 2015, he guest starred on theFox black comedy seriesScream Queens on aNovember 24 episode during its first season, playingChad Radwell's older brother Brad. Murray starred as the male lead "P.K." in the romantic drama filmOther People's Children which premiered on August 15 at theColumbia Gorge International Film Festival where it won the Best of Festival award. It received a limited theatrical release on December 25.[40] In order to portray a homeless heroin addict, Murray lost 25 lbs (11.34 kg) of weight, stating that he exercised for three and a half weeks, burning 3,000 calories a day while eating only 1,400 to 1,600 calories a day from a diet consisting of "oatmeal, egg whites, salads, chicken [and] tuna."[41][42]
Murray starred as Henry in the western filmOutlaws and Angels which premiered on January 25 at the2016 Sundance Film Festival, before a limited theatrical release on July 15. On March 14, 2016, it was reported that Murray was cast to star asSam Phillips in theCMT biographical drama seriesMillion Dollar Quartet.[43] On December 14, the eight-episode miniseries was retitledSun Records, before premiering on February 23, 2017.[44]
In 2018, he played the male lead Brett Beauchamps in the drama television filmThe Beach House, alongsideMinka Kelly andAndie MacDowell, which premiered on the Hallmark Channel on April 28. He next played the male lead Jack in horror filmCamp Cold Brook which premiered on August 25 at theHorrorHound Film Festival, before a limited theatrical release on February 14, 2020. On August 27, 2018, it was reported that Murray was cast in a recurring role as Xander McPherson, the toxic love-interest of Cassie Brown as played byBrandy Norwood, in the third season of the musical dramaStar which premiered on Fox on September 26.[45][46]
On February 8, 2019, it was reported that Murray was cast in a recurring role as Edgar Evernever in the third season of The CW dramaRiverdale.[47] He starred as Luke Miller on television filmWrite Before Christmas alongsideTorrey DeVitto on Hallmark Channel on November 17.
In 2020, Murray starred as Brett Hollister in the television filmLove in Winterland which premiered on the Hallmark Channel on January 11.[48] He next starred as Paul Barnett in the filmToo Close for Christmas which received a limited theatrical release on November 13,[49] before premiering on Lifetime on December 4.[50] The film marks the first in a series of on-screen collaborations withJessica Lowndes.
In 2021, he starred as Joel Sheehan in the filmColors of Love which received a limited theatrical release on February 4,[51] before premiering onGAC Family on October 23 under the titleAn Autumn Romance as its first original movie. The film, based on the 2014 novelTycoon's Kiss authored byJane Porter,[52] is the second with Murray and Lowndes together. He starred as Brody Bradshaw in the television filmSand Dollar Cove which premiered on the Hallmark Channel on June 26. He starred as Gabe on the television filmAngel Falls Christmas which premiered on GAC Family on November 26, marking the third film between Murray and Lowndes. He starred as Kevin Vaughn on the television filmToying with the Holidays which premiered on Lifetime on December 18. He played Steve in hotel booking websiteHotels.com's commercial.[53]
On June 1, 2022, it was announced that Murray was cast as the male lead Cal Jones on the drama seriesSullivan's Crossing alongsideMorgan Kohan as the female lead Maggie Sullivan andScott Patterson as her father Sully Sullivan.[54] The Canadian series, based on the American novel series of the same name authored byRobyn Carr, premiered onCTV on March 19, 2023.[55] The second season premiered April 14, 2024,[56] and in June 2024, it was announced that the show had been renewed for a third season.[57]
He played Lucas,Brooke Shields' character's love interest in theNetflix original filmMother of the Bride (2024), released on May 9, 2024.[58] It reached Netflix's Top 10 most watched lists in numerous countries.[59][60] On July 18, 2024,Disney published a photo of Murray as Jake on set ofFreaky Friday's sequel film calledFreakier Friday (2025).[61][62]
Murray authored agraphic novel,Everlast, which released in November 2011.[63] In November 2017, he releasedAmerican Drifter: An Exhilarating Tale of Love and Murder, which he co-authored with novelistHeather Graham. The romantic thriller was inspired by a dream.[64]
In May 2004, Murray became engaged to hisOne Tree Hill co-starSophia Bush,[65] and they married on April 16, 2005, inSanta Monica, California.[66] They announced their separation in September 2005.[67] In February 2006, Bush filed for anannulment, citing fraud.[68] Bush's petition was denied,[69] and instead the pair were granted a divorce in December 2006.[70]
On April 6, 2006, it was reported that Murray was engaged to Kenzie Dalton, an actress andMiss North Carolina Teen USA 2006 runner-up; at the time, he was 24 and she was 18. The day before, Murray escorted Dalton to theNorth Carolina Azalea Festival Queen's Welcoming Ceremony, where Dalton served as part of the "Princess' court" and wore her engagement ring.[71][72][73] The two first met in August 2005 when Dalton appeared as anextra onOne Tree Hill on the sixth episode during itsthird season.[73] On September 20, 2013, it was reported that they had ended their engagement of nearly seven and a half years, with Murray's representative telling media that they had "quietly parted ways earlier in the year."[74][75]
In September 2013, Murray began dating hisLeft Behind co-star, Australian actressNicky Whelan. The two were first pictured together leaving theChateau Marmont on September 19.[76][77][78] The next month, Murray joined Whelan on the second season ofChosen.[36] The couple separated in April 2014 after roughly eight months of dating.
In 2014, Murray began dating hisChosen co-starSarah Roemer. In January 2015, it was announced that he and Roemer had married, and were expecting their first child.[79] They have three children: a son, born in 2015,[80] and two daughters, born in 2017[81] and 2023.[82]
Murray is a lifelong fan of theBuffalo BillsNational Football League team, and in October 2024, signed on to executive produce a docuseries alongside former Billswide receiver andpro football hall of famerAndre Reed, titled “Just One Before I Die,” about the Buffalo Bills fanbase.[83]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 | David Alexander – Age 16 | |
| 2003 | Freaky Friday | Jake | |
| 2004 | A Cinderella Story | Austin Ames | |
| 2005 | House of Wax | Nick Jones | |
| 2006 | Home of the Brave | Jordan Owens | |
| 2012 | To Write Love on Her Arms | Jamie Tworkowski | |
| The Carrier | Thatcher | Short film | |
| First Kiss | Himself | Short forFunny or Die | |
| 2013 | The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia | Andy Wyrick | |
| Fruitvale Station | Officer Ingram | ||
| Cavemen | Jay | ||
| A Madea Christmas | Tanner McCoy | ||
| 2014 | Left Behind | Cameron "Buck" Williams | |
| 2015 | Other People's Children | P.K. | Also executive producer |
| 2016 | Outlaws and Angels | Henry | |
| 2018 | Camp Cold Brook | Jack | |
| 2019 | Max Winslow and the House of Secrets | Atticus Virtue | |
| 2020 | Survive the Night | Rich | |
| Too Close for Christmas | Paul Barnett | Also exec. producer | |
| 2021 | Colors of Love | Joel Sheehan | AKA:An Autumn Romance,A Winter Romance; |
| Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman | Ted Bundy | [84] | |
| Survive the Game | Eric | ||
| Fortress | Frederick Balzary | ||
| 2022 | Fortress: Sniper's Eye | ||
| 2023 | Christmas on Windmill Way | Brady Schaltz | |
| 2024 | Mother of the Bride | Lucas | Netflix original film |
| The Merry Gentlemen | Luke | ||
| 2025 | Freakier Friday | Jake | Post-production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Undressed | Dan | Episode "Scared Stiffy" |
| Diagnosis: Murder | Ray Santucci | Episode: "The Cradle Will Rock" | |
| 2000–01 | Gilmore Girls | Tristin DuGray | Recurring role (season 1), guest role (season 2), 11 episodes |
| 2001 | Murphy's Dozen | Unaired television pilot (The WB)[10][11] | |
| 2001–02 | Dawson's Creek | Charlie Todd | Recurring role (season 5), 12 episodes |
| 2002 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Tom Haviland | Episode: "The Accused Is Entitled" |
| 2003 | A Long Way Home | Sean | AKA:Aftermath Television film (CBS) |
| The Lone Ranger | Luke Hartman /Lone Ranger | Television film (The WB) Pilot for a reboot television series | |
| 2003–09, 2012 | One Tree Hill | Lucas Scott | Main role (seasons 1–6), guest role (season 9) 131 episodes Director (1 episode), writer (1 episode) |
| 2010 | Lies in Plain Sight | Ethan McAllister | Television film (Lifetime Movie Network) |
| Christmas Cupid | Patrick Kerns | Television film (ABC Family) | |
| 2012 | Scruples | Spider Elliott | Unaired television pilot (ABC)[30] |
| 2013 | Southland | Dave Mendoza | Guest role (season 5); 2 episodes |
| 2013–14 | Chosen | Jacob Orr | Main role (seasons 2–3), 12 episodes |
| 2015 | Texas Rising | Mirabeau Lamar | Television miniseries; 5 episodes |
| Scream Queens | Brad Radwell | Episode: "Thanksgiving" | |
| 2015–16 | Agent Carter | Jack Thompson | Main role; 14 episodes |
| 2017 | Sun Records | Sam Phillips | Main role; 8 episodes |
| 2018 | The Beach House | Brett Beauchamps | Television film (Hallmark Channel) |
| 2018–19 | Star | Xander McPherson | Recurring role (season 3); 8 episodes |
| 2018 | Road to Christmas | Danny Wise | Television film (Hallmark Channel) |
| 2019 | Riverdale | Edgar Evernever | Recurring role (season 3), guest (season 4) 9 episodes |
| Write Before Christmas | Luke Miller | Television films (Hallmark Channel) | |
| 2020 | Love in Winterland | Brett Hollister | |
| 2021 | Sand Dollar Cove | Brody Bradshaw | |
| Toying with the Holidays | Kevin Vaughn | Television film (Lifetime); also exec. producer | |
| Angel Falls Christmas | Gabriel | Television film (GAC Family); also exec. producer | |
| 2023 | Christmas on Windmill Way | Brady Schaltz | Television film (GAC Family) |
| 2023–present | Sullivan's Crossing | Cal Jones | Main role; 20 episodes |
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" | Alicia Keys | Love interest |
| 2018 | "All I Need" | Brandy | |
| 2019 | "Her World or Mine" | Michael Ray | Father[85] |
| Year | Title | Brand | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Made in America: More American Jobs" | Walmart | Manufacturing worker | [86] |
| 2021 | "Breakup" | Hotels.com | Steve | [87] |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV – Breakout Actor | One Tree Hill | Won |
| Choice TV Actor – Drama | Nominated | |||
| Choice Movie – Breakout Actor | A Cinderella Story | Won | ||
| 2005 | Choice Movie Actor – Action/Thriller | House of Wax | Won | |
| Choice Movie – Rumble(withElisha Cuthbert andBrian Van Holt) | Nominated | |||
| Choice Movie – Chemistry(withHilary Duff) | A Cinderella Story | Nominated | ||
| Choice Movie – Liplock(with Hilary Duff) | Nominated | |||
| Choice Movie – Love Scene(with Hilary Duff) | Nominated | |||
| Choice TV Actor – Drama | One Tree Hill | Nominated | ||
| Choice TV: Chemistry(withJames Lafferty) | Nominated | |||
| 2006 | Choice TV Actor – Drama | Nominated | ||
| Prism Award | Best Performance in a Drama Series Storyline | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actor – Drama | Won | |
| 2019 | Burbank International Film Festival | Best Actor | Max Winslow and the House of Secrets | Nominated |
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