Chad Michael Murray, born on August 24, 1981, in Buffalo, New York, is an American actor, writer, and model. He has captivated audiences for over two decades with his looks and acting talent on both television and the silver screen. Residing in Wilmington, North Carolina, he is perhaps best known for his role as Lucas Scott in the hit series "One Tree Hill" (2003).
Chad Michael Murray
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Murray's early life was marked by his mother's abandonment of the family when he was very young. His father, Rex Murray, worked as an air traffic controller. Murray grew up in a large family, including three brothers, a sister, a half-brother, a step-sister, and a step-brother.
Before breaking into acting, Murray did some modeling for clients like Skechers, Gucci, and Tommy Hilfiger. While at a convention in Biloxi, Mississippi, he met Eddie Winkler, who offered him a place to stay in Los Angeles to kick-start his career. Not long afterward, Chad was hired for a Tommy Hilfiger campaign which helped pay his bills while he focused on acting.
He played football in high school until he broke his nose. After being admitted to the hospital for a broken nose, he was inspired by his nurse to try to get into acting. Chad also worked as a receptionist at a limousine company.
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The One Tree Hill (2003) star started his life as a paper boy, delivering newspapers around the neighborhood before working as a janitor at Donut World.
Breakthrough Roles
Murray's acting career began with appearances in several series, including "Undressed" (MTV, 1999-2002) and "Dawson's Creek" (WB, 1998-2003). He started out on Dawson's Creek (1998) with his One Tree Hill (2003) co-stars, Hilarie Burton Morgan and Lee Norris. Two years later, he scored the role of "Tristian DuGrey" on Gilmore Girls (2000) before playing "Lucas Scott" in the popular teen drama One Tree Hill (2003), where he met his lasting friends James Lafferty and Tyler Hilton.
He was cast in his first major role, a recurring character on "Gilmore Girls" (CW, 2000-07). Chad Michael Murray first rose to prominence with fan favorite roles on the Warner Bros. dramas “Dawson’s Creek” and “Gilmore Girls.”
In 2003, Murray's breakthrough role came when he was cast as the protagonist of "One Tree Hill" (WB, 2003-2011). He showcased his talents as a leading actor playing the outcast-turned-cool-kid throughout his near-decade run. He took position behind the camera as well, both writing and directing an episode of the series. It was on the set of "One Tree Hill" that Murray met Sophia Bush, who would later become his wife.
Murray also appeared in a number of feature films. The model-turned-actor has also serenaded Jamie Lee Curtis with Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" in Freaky Friday (2003), became Hilary Duff's "Prince Charming" in A Cinderella Story (2004), and even watched Paris Hilton die a violent on-screen death in House of Wax (2005).
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Here are some of his notable film roles:
- "Freaky Friday" (2003)
- "A Cinderella Story" (2004)
- "House of Wax" (2005)
- "Home of the Brave" (2006)
- "Christmas Cupid" (ABC Family, 2010)
Murray starred in feature films ranging from the romantic comedies A Cinderella Story, as the romantic lead opposite Hilary Duff, and Freaky Friday opposite Lindsay Lohan, to the horror movie House of Wax, for which he won another Teen Choice Award. Murray took on dramatic feature film work in the war drama Home of the Brave, alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Biel, and with a lead role in the critically acclaimed drama Fruitvale Station opposite Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer.
In 2004, Murray starred as Austin Ames in the romantic comedy film A Cinderella Story alongside Hilary Duff which released in July 16.
He next co-starred as Nick Jones in the horror film House of Wax which released theatrically on May 6, 2005.
He played the role of Private Jordan Owens in the Iraq War drama film Home of the Brave, alongside Samuel L.
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Murray was listed at #12 on AOL Television's list of "TV's 50 Hottest Hunks Ever" on November 4, 2008.
Later Career
In August of 2014 Murray was cast in the series "Agent Carter" (ABC, 2015-16). On October 9, 2013, it was reported that Murray was cast to join action-thriller series Chosen on Crackle.
Murray starred as the male lead "P.K." in the romantic drama film Other People's Children which premiered on August 15 at the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival where it won the Best of Festival award.
Murray starred as Henry in the western film Outlaws and Angels which premiered on January 25 at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, before a limited theatrical release on July 15.
In 2018, he played the male lead Brett Beauchamps in the drama television film The Beach House, alongside Minka Kelly and Andie MacDowell, which premiered on the Hallmark Channel on April 28.
Recently, he starred in the television movies “Colors of Love” and “Too Close for Christmas,” both opposite Jessica Lowndes. Murray has also starred in Lionsgate’s 2020 action film “Survive the Night” alongside Bruce Willis; the Hallmark Channel original movie “Write Before Christmas,” alongside Torrey DeVitto; seasons three and four of the hit teen drama “Riverdale,” in which he played an enigmatic cult leader; and as Atticus Virtue in the family sci-fi thriller Max Winslow and the House of Secrets, which told the story of five teenagers who competed to win a mansion owned by entrepreneur and scientist, Virtue.
Murray most recently wrapped production on Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman, starring as America’s most infamous serial killer. The film is slated for theatrical release in August 2021 through Fathom Events. He will also be seen in the upcoming “The Fortress” and “The Fortress 2,” also starring Bruce Willis as well as Jesse Metcalfe.
Murray is currently in production on the action-thriller Killing Field, starring as Eric, a man whose life on his serene farm is interrupted when a cop and a pair of dangerous criminals shows up. Bruce Willis, Kate Katzman, Donna D’errico, Swen Temmel, and Zack Ward also star.
The ‘One Tree Hill’ Guys Reunite: Chad Michael Murray & James Lafferty on Fame & Friendship | PEOPLE
Other Ventures
In addition to acting, Murray is a writer who penned a novel "Everlast" which was published in September of 2011. Murray also released "Everlast", his first graphic novel.
Murray authored a graphic novel, Everlast, which released in November 2011. In November 2017, he released American Drifter: An Exhilarating Tale of Love and Murder, which he co-authored with novelist Heather Graham.
A fan of philosophy, Chad's favorite book is "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger. He enjoys listening to music from Incubus, Frank Sinatra, James Brown and watching shows such as The Simpsons (1989) and Fear Factor (2001). As for movies, Chad has credited Gladiator (2000), Fight Club (1999), Varsity Blues (1999) & Any Given Sunday (1999) as his favorites.
Personal Life
Chad married his One Tree Hill (2003) co-star, Sophia Bush, on the 16th of April, 2005, at the age of 23. After less than a year of marriage, the couple signed for an annulment.
In 2015 Murray who had divorced Bush the same year that they married, married actress Sarah Roemer.
On April 6, 2006, it was reported that Murray was engaged to Kenzie Dalton, an actress and Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2006 runner-up; at the time, he was 24 and she was 18. In September 2013, Murray began dating his Left Behind co-star, Australian actress Nicky Whelan. In 2014, Murray began dating his Chosen co-star Sarah Roemer.
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-2001 | Gilmore Girls | Tristin DuGray | TV Series |
| 2003-2012 | One Tree Hill | Lucas Scott | TV Series |
| 2003 | Freaky Friday | Jake | Film |
| 2004 | A Cinderella Story | Austin Ames | Film |
| 2005 | House of Wax | Nick Jones | Film |
| 2015-2016 | Agent Carter | Jack Thompson | TV Series |
| 2018-2019 | Star | Xander McPherson | TV Series |
| 2019-2020 | Riverdale | Edgar Evernever | TV Series |
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