Chad Michael Murray

Chad Michael Murray

August 24, 1981

Chad Michael Murray
Murray at the premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End in Disneyland, 2007
Born	Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Other names	Chad Murray
Occupation(s)	Actor, writer
Years active	1997–present
Spouses
Children	2

Chad Michael Murray (born August 24, 1981) is an American actor and writer. He is best known for playing Lucas Scott in The WB/CW drama series One Tree Hill (2003–09, 2012), a recurring role as Tristin DuGray on The WB/CW series Gilmore Girls (2000–01), and Charlie Todd in the fifth season of The WB series Dawson’s Creek (2001–02). He had supporting roles in the films Freaky Friday (2003), A Cinderella Story (2004), House of Wax (2005), and Fruitvale Station (2013). Murray appeared in a supporting role in the Marvel/ABC series Agent Carter (2015–16), and had a recurring role as Edgar Evernever in Riverdale (2019).

He has written two novels, Everlast (2011) and American Drifter (2017); the latter was co-authored with the novelist Heather Graham.

Early life[edit]

Murray was born in Buffalo, New York, to Rex Murray, an air traffic controller.[1] His mother left the family when Murray was 10 years old.[2] He has three brothers, one sister, one half-brother, one step-sister, and one step-brother. He is of Scottish, English, German, Swiss-German, and Polish descent.[3]

Murray attended Clarence High School in Clarence, New York.[4] He became a fan of literature and played football.[5] In his late teens, he broke his nose. This led to reports during his career that he had received a nose job. Murray clarified in a 2004 interview, “I got jumped in a Burger King when I was 18 and had my nose put on the other side of my face. It was three guys – what the hell was I supposed to do? 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!”[6]

Acting career[edit]

1999–2002: Early work[edit]

Murray won a scholarship to attend a modeling convention in Orlando, 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 to Hollywood in 1999.[2] He started modeling for such brands as Skechers, Tommy Hilfiger and Gucci.[7]

Then he was cast in the role of rich kid Tristin DuGray in Gilmore Girls; he was a recurring character in the first season of the series and appeared in one episode of the second season. He appeared in several guest starring television roles, including an episode of Undressed and an episode of Diagnosis: Murder. Murray portrayed the character Charlie Todd on the fifth season of the successful television series Dawson’s Creek in 2001.

2003–2012: Breakthrough with One Tree Hill and films[edit]

In 2003, Murray appeared in the television film Aftermath: A Long Way Home. He then appeared in the Walt Disney Pictures feature film, Freaky Friday alongside Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film was a major box office success, earning a total of $110,222,438 in the United States alone. Critics were mostly positive in their reviews of the film, and the film garnered a “B” grade on Yahoo! Movies and an 88% “Certified Fresh” approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Murray also appeared in the television film The Lone Ranger where he portrayed the role of Luke Hartman.

Later in the year of 2003, Murray won the main role of Lucas Scott in the successful WB television series One Tree Hill. The series quickly became the channel’s biggest hit with over 4.50 million viewers on the first season’s finale. The series was The WB’s most successful and top rated television program when it first aired in 2003 and continued receiving top ratings for The CW. The series also earned Murray numerous awards, including two Teen Choice Awards, and spawned a book series. After Murray gained mainstream fame and media exposure, he also became a spokesperson for several high-profile deals. He and his One Tree Hill co-stars were the official endorsers for MasterCard and K-Mart.[8] They endorsed Cingular Wireless and the Chevy Cobalt.[9]

Following Murray’s starring role on One Tree Hill, he appeared on the cover of several mainstream magazines such as Rolling Stone and People. That same year, he was voted as one of “TV’s Sexiest Guys” in People magazine.[10] In 2004, Murray starred in the romantic comedy A Cinderella Story with Hilary Duff. Though the reviews were mostly negative, the film went on to become a moderate box office success, earning $70.1 million worldwide.[11][12][13] The film led to 2005 Teen Choice Awards wins in several categories. Later that year, Murray appeared on the cover of Teen People magazine.[14]

In 2005, Murray starred in House of Wax. The film grossed $12 million in its first day. Though most film critics gave the film negative reviews, House of Wax earned over $70 million worldwide. The film led to Murray receiving the 2005 Teen Choice Awards win category for “Choice Movie Actor: Action/Adventure/Thriller”.[15] He featured briefly in the Iraq War drama Home of the Brave alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Biel in 2006. In May 2009, The CW announced Murray would not be returning to One Tree Hill for its seventh season.[16] 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, Mark Schwann said in an interview that he had been offered “great things” to return to the show.[17]

In 2010, Murray played Alicia Keys’s love interest in her music video for “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)”.[18][19] Then he played Ethan McAllister in Lifetime’s TV movie Lies in Plain Sight. Murray also co-starred in Christmas Cupid with Ashley Benson and Christina Milian.[20] The film is an ABC Family Original Movie and is “about a comatose girl who visits her Christmas past, present, and future”.[21]

In 2011, The CW announced he would return for a guest appearance as Lucas Scott in the final season of One Tree Hill.[22] The episode aired on February 22, 2012.

2013–present: Television roles[edit]

In 2013, Murray appeared in Fruitvale Station, a film chronicling the last day of Oscar Grant, who was killed by a police officer at a BART station. The film won two major awards at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

In August 2014, he was cast in a featured role as Agent Jack Thompson for Marvel’s television series Agent Carter, and has returned for the second season.[23][24]

On February 8, 2019, it was announced that Murray was cast in a recurring role as Edgar Evernever in The CW drama Riverdale.[25] He appeared opposite Torrey DeVitto in Hallmark’s Christmas film Five Cards for Christmas (2019).[26] The film revolves around Jessica (DeVitto), who sends Christmas cards to five people who have impacted her life and Murray will appear as the son of a recipient of one of Jessica’s letters.[27] In 2021, he played Steve in hotel booking website Hotels.com’s commercial.[28]

As of 2023, he stars in the TV series Sullivan’s Crossing, based on Robyn Carr’s bestselling five-novel series.

Trivia[edit]

Murray’s regular dubbing voice for the French-speaking world is Yoann Sover who has dubbed his performances in 5 films, 8 tv movies and 4 tv series (including One Tree Hill, Agent Carter & Riverdale) as of 2022.[29]

Writing career[edit]

Murray released a novel in September 2011 titled Everlast.[30] In 2017, he published American Drifter: An Exhilarating Tale of Love and Murder, which he co-authored with the novelist Heather Graham. The romantic thriller was inspired by a dream.[31]

Personal life[edit]

Murray became engaged to his One Tree Hill co-star Sophia Bush in May 2004,[32] and they married on April 16, 2005, in Santa Monica, California.[33] They announced their separation in September 2005.[34] In February 2006, Bush filed papers for an annulment, citing fraud.[35] Bush’s petition was denied,[36] and she and Murray were instead granted a divorce in December 2006.[37]

Following his separation from Bush, Murray began dating Kenzie Dalton,[38] whom he met in 2005 when Dalton, a first runner-up in the 2005 Miss North Carolina Teen USA pageant, was an extra on One Tree Hill.[39] They became engaged in April 2006,[38] but in August 2013, they called off their seven-year engagement.[40][41]

In 2014, Murray began dating his Chosen co-star Sarah Roemer. In January 2015, it was announced that he and Roemer had married, and were expecting their first child.[42] They have a son, born in 2015,[43] and a daughter, born 2017.[44]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Television[edit]

Music videos[edit]

Commercials[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

• Everlast (2011)
• American Drifter: An Exhilarating Tale of Love and Murder (2017), co-authored with Heather Graham

Awards and nominations[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^ Building a Winning Team: The Making of One Tree Hill (Documentary). One Tree Hill: The Complete First Season: Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.
2. ^ a b c “Getting to know a little about Chad Michael Murray”. Seventeen. February 5, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
3. ^ Fine, Aubrey (February 5, 2007). “Getting to Know: Chad Michael Murray”. Seventeen. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
4. ^ “Chad Michael Murray profile”. filmreference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
5. ^ Christine Roberts (2004). One Tree Hunks: The Unauthorized Biographies of Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty. Random House, Inc. pp. 73–74. ISBN 0-345-47952-1. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
6. ^ “Eye candy on The WB’s One Tree Hill – Chad Michael Murray – The Must List 2004”. Entertainment Weekly. June 25, 2004. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
7. ^ “Chad Michael Murray”. StyleBistro. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
8. ^ Hopkins, Brent (May 21, 2004). “KMart Gets Hip Retailer Swings Deal with the WB”. The Free Library. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
9. ^ “One Tree Hill update”. One Tree Hill Web. May 19, 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
10. ^ “TV’s Sexiest Guys”. People Magazine. November 24, 2004. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
11. ^ “A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures”. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
12. ^ “Cinderella Story, A”. Urban Cinefile. Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
13. ^ “A Cinderella Story (2004)”. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
14. ^ Teen People Magazine September 2005 Issue One Tree Hill Cast/Chad Michael Murray (Single Back Issue). September 2005.
15. ^ “Awards for Chad Michael Murray”. imdb. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
16. ^ Mitovich, Matt (May 12, 2009). “Breaking: Two Stars Exit One Tree Hill”. TVGuide.com. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
17. ^ Martin, Denise (May 12, 2009). “One Tree Hill stars Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton exit”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
18. ^ “Alicia Keys ‘Unthinkable’ video premiers featuring Chad Michael Murray”. IMDb. May 12, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
19. ^ Loomis, George (May 13, 2010). “Chad Michael Murray Stars in Alicia Keys’ “Unthinkable” Video– We Dissect His Looks!”. MTV.com. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
20. ^ “Twitter / Ashley Benson: For those asking…the mov”. Twitter.com. July 26, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
21. ^ “Chad Michael Murray books ABC Family’s ‘Ex-Mas Carol’ – From Inside the Box – Zap2it”. Blog.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
22. ^ “CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY RETURNS TO “ONE TREE HILL””. The CW. August 29, 2011. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
23. ^ “Marvel’s Agent Carter Casts 2 Key Roles”. MARVEL.com. August 29, 2014. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
24. ^ “Chad Michael Murray confirms he’s on board for Agent Carter season two”. news.com.au. July 2, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
25. ^ Swift, Andy (February 8, 2019). “Riverdale Recruits Chad Michael Murray as Sexy Cult Leader Edgar Evernever”. TVline. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
26. ^ “Former ‘One Tree Hill’ stars to appear in upcoming Hallmark movie”. Good Morning America. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
27. ^ “‘One Tree Hill’s’ Chad Michael Murray and Torrey DeVitto Reunite for Hallmark Christmas Movie (Exclusive)”. www.yahoo.com. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
28. ^ Burroni, Christine (May 13, 2021). “See Chad Michael Murray Turn a Hotels.com Commercial Into a Classic Rom-com Moment”. Travel + Leisure. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
29. ^ “Doublage”. Yoann Sover (in French). Retrieved February 2, 2023.
30. ^ “Chad Michael Murray | Everlast”. Thechadmichaelmurray.com. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
31. ^ Bernardini, Gabrielle (November 10, 2016). “Chad Michael Murray Wrote a Romance Novel”. US Magazine.
32. ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (July 14, 2004). “Chad Michael Murray to Marry Sophia Bush”. People. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
33. ^ Naff, Lycia; Kappes, Serena (April 18, 2005). “Chad Michael Murray Marries Sophia Bush”. People. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
34. ^ “Chad Michael Murray, Sophia Bush Split”. People. September 26, 2005. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
35. ^ Warrick, Pamela (February 28, 2006). “Sophia Bush Cites ‘Fraud’ in Annulment”. People. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
36. ^ “Celebrity Annulments”. Forbes.com. April 12, 2007. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
37. ^ Lee, Ken (December 29, 2006). “Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush’s Divorce Is Final”. People. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
38. ^ a b “Fast Forward His marriage not yet ended, Chad Michael Murray steps out with his new, teen fiancee Kenzie Dalton”. People. April 24, 2006. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
39. ^ Veitch, Kristen (December 7, 2006). “Who Knew? Chad Michael Murray Still Engaged”. E! Online. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
40. ^ “Chad Michael Murray and Kenzie Dalton End Engagement”. People. September 20, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
41. ^ Barker, Olivia (September 20, 2013). “Chad Michael Murray splits from fiancee of 7 years”. USA Today.
42. ^ Rotman, Michael (January 20, 2015). “Chad Michael Murray is Married and Expecting First Child with Sarah Roemer”. ABC News. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
43. ^ Rouse, Wade (June 1, 2015). “Chad Michael Murray and Sarah Roemer Welcome a Son”. People. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
44. ^ Juneau, Jen (March 13, 2017). “Chad Michael Murray and Sarah Roemer Welcome Daughter”. People. Archived from the original on March 14, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
45. ^ Miska, Brad (May 7, 2021). “‘House of Wax’ Star Chad Michael Murray Becomes Ted Bundy, the ‘American Boogeyman'”. Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
46. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (March 12, 2012). “Chad Michael Murray Set as Male Lead in ABC’s Natalie Portman-Produced Pilot ‘Scruples'”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
47. ^ America, Good Morning. “Chad Michael Murray stars in Michael Ray’s music video for ‘Her World or Mine'”. Good Morning America. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
48. ^ Walmart TV Spot, ‘Made in America: More American Jobs’ Song by Aerosmith, retrieved May 4, 2022
49. ^ Hotels.com – Breakup (2021), retrieved May 4, 2022

External links[edit]

• 1981 births
• 21st-century American male actors
• American male film actors
• American male models
• American male television actors
• Living people
• Male actors from Buffalo, New York
• Male actors from New York (state)
• Male models from New York (state)
• People from Buffalo, New York
• People from Clarence, New York
• 21st-century American male writers
• American male novelists