Chad Michael Murray, born on August 24, 1981, is an American actor, writer, and model. He is best known for his roles in popular teen dramas and films.
Chad Michael Murray
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Murray attended Clarence High School in Clarence, New York. As a teenager, he worked at the Dipson Theatres in Eastern Hills Mall. In his late teens, he broke his nose, leading to later speculation about a nose job, which he clarified was due to an assault.
In 2000, Murray guest-starred as Dan on the MTV drama anthology series Undressed. Later that year, Murray was cast as Tristin DuGray on The WB television series Gilmore Girls, appearing as a recurring character in the first season and in an episode of the second season.
In 2001, he was cast in a television pilot for The WB, the family drama Murphy's Dozen, which was not picked up for the fall season. Murray portrayed the role of teenage David Alexander in the Christian Apocalyptic fiction film Megiddo: The Omega Code 2, which released on September 7.
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Murray was cast in the role of womanizer Charlie Todd on The WB's hit television series Dawson's Creek as a recurring character in the fifth season which premiered on October 10. In 2003, Murray began the year appearing in the family drama television film A Long Way Home, also known as Aftermath, playing the role of Sean in a family trying to reconcile following domestic sexual abuse.
Breakthrough Roles
Murray gained significant recognition in 2003 with several key roles:
- The Lone Ranger: He played the lead role of Luke Hartman in The WB's western television film, which served as a backdoor pilot for a potential series run.
- Freaky Friday: Murray played the love interest Jake in the Walt Disney Pictures comedy film, starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis.
- One Tree Hill: He was cast in the lead role of Lucas Scott on The WB series, which debuted on September 23, 2003.
The series was one of The WB's most successful programs and continued with impressive ratings after the network merged with UPN to become The CW in 2006. The series earned Murray six Teen Choice Award nominations over the years, including winning Choice TV - Breakout Actor in August 2004 and Choice TV Actor - Drama in August 2008.
The cast of One Tree Hill
If you think back to 2003, there were two camps of people: those who loved The O.C. and those who preferred the even more angsty One Tree Hill. Set in Tree Hill, North Carolina, the series began by exploring the fraught rivalry between half-brothers Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), who fight over their place on the school basketball team, girls, and their father’s affection. It didn’t leave as much of an impact as The O.C., but the music still slapped, the actors were extremely hot, and it makes for a pretty solid rebinge.
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One Tree Hill - 101 - Match Nathan Vs Lucas - [Lk49]
Film Career
In 2004, Murray starred as Austin Ames in the romantic comedy film A Cinderella Story alongside Hilary Duff. The film was a box office success, earning $70.1 million worldwide. In 2005, he co-starred as Nick Jones in the horror film House of Wax.
Murray was listed as one of "Fall TV's Sexiest Guys" by People magazine in September 2005 and was the cover model for Teen People magazine that same month. He played the role of Private Jordan Owens in the Iraq War drama film Home of the Brave, alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Biel.
Murray was listed at #12 on AOL Television's list of "TV's 50 Hottest Hunks Ever" on November 4, 2008. In May 2009, it was reported that Murray would not be returning to One Tree Hill for its seventh season. In 2010, Murray played the love-interest of Alicia Keys in her music video for "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)". Murray played the role of Ethan McAllister in the drama television film Lies in Plain Sight which aired on Lifetime on October 3, 2010.
The video depicts the burgeoning romance of a young interracial couple reimagined across different eras, from the 1950s through the 2000s. It won Outstanding Music Video at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards in March 2011.
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On August 29, 2011, The CW announced that Murray would return for a guest appearance as Lucas Scott in the final season of One Tree Hill. He then played the male lead Jamie Tworkowski in the biographical drama film To Write Love on Her Arms which premiered on March 11, 2012, at the Omaha Film Festival where it won the Encore Award.
Later Roles and Projects
In 2013, Murray played the role of Officer Ingram in the biographical drama film Fruitvale Station. Murray next played male lead Andy Wyrick in the horror film The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia which released on February 1.
He guest starred as Officer Dave Mendoza in the crime drama series Southland on two episodes during its concluding fifth season which premiered on TNT on February 13. On October 9, 2013, it was reported that Murray was cast to join action-thriller series Chosen on Crackle. Murray played the role of Jay in comedy film Cavemen which premiered on October 26 at the 2013 Austin Film Festival before a limited theatrical release on February 7, 2014.
Murray next co-starred in the apocalyptic thriller film Left Behind, playing the role of Cameron "Buck" Williams, alongside Nicolas Cage and Jordin Sparks. Later in 2015, he guest starred on the Fox black comedy series Scream Queens on a November 24 episode during its first season, playing Chad Radwell's older brother Brad.
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. In 2021, he starred as Joel Sheehan in the film Colors of Love which received a limited theatrical release on February 4, before premiering on GAC Family on October 23 under the title An Autumn Romance as its first original movie.
Other Ventures
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.
Personal Life
On April 6, 2006, it was reported that Murray was engaged to Kenzie Dalton. In 2014, Murray began dating his Chosen co-star Sarah Roemer. The two got married in January 2015 and have three children together.
Filmography and Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-2001 | Gilmore Girls | Tristin Dugray | Recurring Role |
| 2003-2012 | One Tree Hill | Lucas Scott | Main Role (Seasons 1-6, Guest Season 9) |
| 2004 | A Cinderella Story | Austin Ames | Main Role |
| 2005 | House of Wax | Nick Jones | Main Role |
| 2015-2016 | Agent Carter | Jack Thompson | Main Role |
| 2023-present | Sullivan's Crossing | Cal Jones | Main Role |
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