Chad Michael Murray was born on August 24, 1981, in Buffalo, New York. His father, Rex Murray, worked as an air traffic controller. His mother left the family when Chad was a young child, a formative event that influenced some of his later career choices, including his portrayal of Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill. He has five siblings: a sister, three brothers, and a half-brother. Chad is of Swiss, Polish, and German descent.

He attended Clarence High School in New York, where he developed an interest in literature and played football. During his teenage years, he sustained a broken nose from a football injury. Rumors circulated that he had undergone plastic surgery, but Chad publicly clarified in interviews that the change in appearance was due to the injury, not cosmetic procedures.

Breakthrough With One Tree Hill

Murray began his career with modeling assignments for brands like Skechers and Gucci in 1999. His early acting break came with the role of Tristan DuGrey on the popular series Gilmore Girls, where he appeared in the first season and made guest appearances in subsequent ones. In 2001, he joined the cast of the teen drama Dawson’s Creek as Charlie Todd for 12 episodes in the fifth season.

However, he is best known for his role as Lucas Scott on the WB/CW series One Tree Hill. As one of the central characters, Chad starred in the first six seasons and returned for a guest appearance in season nine. Besides acting, he directed and co-wrote an episode for the show, further showcasing his skills in creative storytelling. The role of Lucas Scott brought him widespread recognition and remains a defining part of his career.