Chad Michael Murray

1.1. Childhood and family

Chad Michael Murray was born on August 24, 1981, in Buffalo, New York. He was raised by his single father, Rex Murray, who worked as an aircraft pilot. His mother left the family when Murray was 10 years old. He has a large family, including five younger siblings: a younger sister, three younger full brothers, and a younger half-brother from his father's second marriage. Additionally, he has two step-siblings, consisting of a step-sister and a step-brother.

1.2. Education and early jobs

Murray attended Clarence High School in Clarence, New York. During his high school years, he developed a strong interest in literature and was an active participant in football, playing as a punter. At the age of 15, an accident during a football game led to a hospital visit, where a nurse, impressed by his appearance, encouraged him to pursue modeling. This suggestion sparked his initial interest in the entertainment industry. As a teenager, he also held a job at the Dipson Theatres located in Eastern Hills Mall.

In his late teens, Murray suffered a broken nose. This injury later led to speculation during his career that he had undergone a nose job. However, Murray clarified in a 2004 interview that the injury was a result of being "jumped in a Burger King when I was 18," which caused his nose to be "put on the other side of my face." He emphasized that doctors simply reset it without X-rays, and it was not a cosmetic procedure.

2.1. 1999-2002: Career beginnings

Murray's career began when he won a scholarship to attend a modeling convention in Orlando, Florida. There, he met an agent who advised him to visit Los Angeles to explore opportunities. Following this, he secured a manager and relocated to Hollywood in 1999. He quickly found work as a model, featuring for prominent brands such as Skechers, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gucci.

In 2000, Murray made his television debut with a guest appearance as Dan in the episode "Scared Stiffy" of the MTV drama anthology series Undressed. Later that year, he was cast in a recurring role as the wealthy character Tristin DuGray on The WB's Gilmore Girls, appearing in the first season and an episode of the second season. The series became a hit, establishing Murray as a notable actor on the network. He concluded his on-screen appearances for 2000 with an episode of the CBS crime drama Diagnosis: Murder during its eighth season.

In 001, Murray was cast in Murphy's Dozen, an unaired television pilot for The WB, a family drama centered on 12 children and their parents in an Irish American family in New Jersey. The pilot, featuring Kathy Baker as the lead actress, was screened for the network in May but was not picked up. That same year, Murray portrayed the teenage David Alexander in the Christian apocalyptic fiction film Megiddo: The Omega Code 2, released on September 7. He then took on the recurring role of womanizer Charlie Todd in The WB's hit series Dawson's Creek for its fifth season, which premiered on October 10. His work in this period also included an appearance on an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which aired on CBS on October 3, 2002, during its third season.

2.2. 2003-2010: Breakthrough and mainstream success

The year 2003 marked a significant turning point in Murray's career. He started by appearing in the family drama television film A Long Way Home (also known as Aftermath), playing Sean, a character in a family grappling with the aftermath of domestic sexual abuse. He then took on the lead role of Luke Hartman in The WB's western television film The Lone Ranger, which aired on February 26 and served as a backdoor pilot for a potential series. Murray's film career gained traction when he was cast as Jake, the love interest, in the Walt Disney Pictures comedy film Freaky Friday, co-starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Released on August 6, the film was Disney's third adaptation of Mary Rodgers' 1972 children's novel of the same name. It achieved both critical acclaim and major box office success, grossing approximately 161.00 M USD worldwide.

Later in 2003, Murray was cast in his breakout role as Lucas Scott on The WB series One Tree Hill, which debuted on September 23. The first-season finale garnered 4.5 M viewers, making it one of The WB's most successful programs. The series continued to achieve impressive ratings even after The WB merged with UPN to form The CW in 2006. His performance on One Tree Hill earned him six Teen Choice Award nominations over the years, including wins for Choice TV - Breakout Actor in August 2004 and Choice TV Actor - Drama in August 2008. Due to the series' popularity, Murray and his One Tree Hill co-stars became official endorsers for major brands such as MasterCard, K-Mart, Cingular Wireless, and the Chevy Cobalt.

In 2004, Murray starred as Austin Ames in the romantic comedy film A Cinderella Story alongside Hilary Duff, released on July 16. While the film was a box office success, earning 70.10 M USD worldwide, it received negative reviews from critics. Despite the critical reception, the film earned Murray the award for Choice Movie - Breakout Actor in August 2004, along with several more nominations at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards. He became the first actor to win Breakout Actor awards in both the TV and Movie categories in the same year. In November 2004, People magazine recognized him as one of "TV's Sexiest Guys."

He next co-starred as Nick Jones in the horror film House of Wax, which was released theatrically on May 6, 2005. This role earned him two more Teen Choice Award nominations, including a win for Choice Movie Actor - Action/Thriller in August 2005. In September 2005, People magazine again listed him among "Fall TV's Sexiest Guys," and he was featured as the cover model for Teen People magazine that same month. Murray portrayed Private Jordan Owens in the Iraq War drama film Home of the Brave, appearing alongside notable actors like Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel, and 50 Cent. The film had a test release in theaters on December 6, 2006, followed by a limited theatrical release on April 17, 2007.

On November 4, 2008, Murray was listed at #12 on AOL Television's list of "TV's 50 Hottest Hunks Ever." In May 2009, reports surfaced that Murray would not be returning to One Tree Hill for its seventh season. A video circulated in which Murray told fans that the network did not want him back due to cost-saving measures. However, series creator Mark Schwahn stated in an interview that Murray had been offered "great things" to encourage his return to the show.

In 2010, Murray appeared as the love interest of Alicia Keys in her music video for "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)," which premiered on BET's 106 & Park on May 12. The video depicted the developing romance of a young interracial couple across various eras, spanning from the 1950s through the 2000s. It went on to win Outstanding Music Video at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards in March 2011. Murray also played Ethan McAllister in the drama television film Lies in Plain Sight, which aired on Lifetime on October 3, 2010. He then portrayed Patrick Kerns, the love interest, in the television film Christmas Cupid, alongside Christina Milan and Ashley Benson, which premiered on ABC Family on December 12.

2.3. 2011-2015: Diverse roles and projects

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. The episode aired on February 22, 2012, as part of the concluding ninth season. He then took on the male lead role of 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 received the Encore Award. The film is based on the true story of Tworkowski's founding of the Florida-based non-profit organization of the same name, dedicated to helping individuals struggling with addiction, mental illness, and self-injury. The film later received a limited theatrical release on March 3, 2015.

Murray's next role was Thatcher in the short film The Carrier, which premiered on April 27, 2012, at the USA Film Festival. On March 12, it was reported that he was cast as the male lead, Spider Elliot, in a television pilot for ABC titled Scruples. The project, which also featured Claire Forlani as the female lead Billy Orsini and Natalie Portman as an executive producer, was an adaptation of Judith Krantz's 1979 debut novel of the same name. However, the potential series was not picked up by the network. Murray later starred as Dylan in the Funny or Die short film First Kiss alongside Rachael Leigh Cook, which was released on September 11.

In 2013, Murray played Officer Ingram in the biographical drama film Fruitvale Station. The film chronicles the last day of Oscar Grant, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, who was fatally shot by a BART Police officer in Oakland, California. It premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19 and was released theatrically on July 12, becoming both a critical and box office success, earning 17.40 M USD from a budget of under 1.00 M USD. Murray also played the male lead, Andy Wyrick, in the horror film The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia, released on February 1. Inspired by the true events surrounding the Wyrick family, this film marked Murray's first role portraying a father. He made guest appearances as Officer Dave Mendoza in two episodes of the crime drama series Southland during its concluding fifth season, which premiered on TNT on February 13. This marked his on-screen reunion with co-star Ben McKenzie, who had starred in the popular teen drama The O.C., which debuted the same year as One Tree Hill.

On October 9, 2013, it was announced that Murray would join the action-thriller series Chosen on Crackle. He played the lead role of Jacob Orr in the second season, which premiered on December 12 of that year, and in the third season, released on April 15, 2014. Murray also appeared as Jay in the comedy film Cavemen, which premiered on October 26 at the 2013 Austin Film Festival before a limited theatrical release on February 7, 2014. He played Tanner McCoy in the comedy film A Madea Christmas, released theatrically on December 13, 2013. Murray next co-starred in the apocalyptic thriller film Left Behind, portraying Cameron "Buck" Williams, alongside Nicolas Cage and Jordin Sparks. The film, based on the novel series of the same name by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, was released on October 3, 2014.

On August 29, 2014, it was announced that Murray was cast as Agent Jack Thompson in the ABC spy thriller series Agent Carter, which is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first season premiered on January 6, 2015, and the second season followed on January 19, 2016.

Later in 2015, he guest-starred on the Fox black comedy series Scream Queens in a November 24 episode during its first season, playing Chad Radwell's older brother, Brad. 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. It received a limited theatrical release on December 25. To accurately portray a homeless heroin addict in the film, Murray underwent a significant physical transformation, losing 25 lb ^{(25 lb)}. He achieved this by exercising for three and a half weeks, burning 3,000 kcal a day while consuming only 1,400 kcal to 1,600 kcal daily from a strict diet of "oatmeal, egg whites, salads, chicken [and] tuna."

2.4. 2016-2022: Continued television and film work

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. On March 14, 2016, it was reported that Murray was cast to star as Sam Phillips in the CMT biographical drama series Million Dollar Quartet. On December 14, the eight-episode miniseries was retitled Sun Records and premiered on February 23, 2017.

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. He then played the male lead Jack in the horror film Camp Cold Brook, which premiered on August 25 at the HorrorHound 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 (played by Brandy Norwood), in the third season of the musical drama Star, which premiered on Fox on September 26. He also appeared as Danny Wise in the television film Road to Christmas on the Hallmark Channel.

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 drama Riverdale. He starred as Luke Miller in the television film Write Before Christmas alongside Torrey DeVitto on Hallmark Channel on November 17. He also appeared in the film Max Winslow and the House of Secrets as Atticus Virtue.

In 2020, Murray starred as Brett Hollister in the television film Love in Winterland, which premiered on the Hallmark Channel on January 11. He next starred as Paul Barnett in the film Too Close for Christmas, which received a limited theatrical release on November 13 before premiering on Lifetime on December 4. This film marked the first in a series of on-screen collaborations with Jessica Lowndes. He also appeared in the film Survive the Night as Rich.

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. This film, based on the 2014 novel Tycoon's Kiss by Jane Porter, was the second collaboration between Murray and Lowndes. He starred as Brody Bradshaw in the television film Sand Dollar Cove, which premiered on the Hallmark Channel on June 26. He then starred as Gabe on the television film Angel Falls Christmas, which premiered on GAC Family on November 26, marking the third film between Murray and Lowndes. He also starred as Kevin Vaughn on the television film Toying with the Holidays, which premiered on Lifetime on December 18. Murray appeared as Steve in a commercial for the hotel booking website Hotels.com on May 13. He also took on the challenging role of Ted Bundy in the film Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman and appeared as Eric in Survive the Game and Frederick Balzary in Fortress.

In 2022, he reprised his role as Frederick Balzary in Fortress: Sniper's Eye.

2.5. 2023-present: Recent television and film

On June 1, 2022, it was announced that Murray was cast as the male lead Cal Jones in the drama series Sullivan's Crossing, alongside Morgan Kohan as the female lead Maggie Sullivan and Scott Patterson as her father Sully Sullivan. The Canadian series, based on the American novel series of the same name by Robyn Carr, premiered on CTV on March 19, 2023. The second season premiered on April 14, 2024, and in June 2024, the show was renewed for a third season. He also appeared in the television film Christmas on Windmill Way as Brady Schaltz.

In 2024, Murray played Lucas, Brooke Shields' character's love interest, in the Netflix original film Mother of the Bride, which was released on May 9, 2024. The film quickly gained popularity, reaching Netflix's Top 10 most-watched lists in numerous countries. He also appeared as Luke in the Netflix original film The Merry Gentlemen. On July 18, 2024, Disney released a photo of Murray as Jake on the set of Freaky Friday's sequel film, titled Freakier Friday, which is currently in post-production and scheduled for release in 2025.

6.1. Film

6.2. Television

6.3. Music videos and commercials