Chad Michael Murray has been a household name since the early 2000s, thanks to iconic roles in One Tree Hill, A Cinderella Story, and Freaky Friday. But in a recent interview, the 43-year-old actor revealed that he once came close to walking away from the spotlight altogether.
Now starring in Netflix’s holiday film The Merry Gentlemen, Chad reflected on the pressures of fame, his priorities as a family man, and an exciting new chapter for his family.
Speaking to Interview, Chad candidly shared how close he came to quitting Hollywood. “There was a moment where I was quitting. I was done. I just couldn’t do it anymore,” he admitted.
The turning point came after his departure from One Tree Hill. However, it wasn’t the show’s devoted fanbase that pushed him to the edge—it was the weight of his own experiences during a pivotal stage in his life.
“When you’re 18 to 25, these formative years when you’re really cutting your teeth on life experiences and your brain isn’t fully developed, you make mistakes,” Chad explained. “I mean, gosh, we still screw up when we’re grown-ups. But I think it’s hard for me to see past those moments when you’re not adult enough to understand the scenarios that you’re in.”
He described the difficulty of growing up in the public eye. “That was hard for me because there are so many eyeballs on you. And you go to the grocery store and someone points at you, ‘Oh, that’s the guy that’s on the tabloid, or that’s the guy that did this.’ Even if they’re not talking about that, sometimes your head goes to a negative place, and I know mine really did.”
Feeling overwhelmed by constant scrutiny, Chad decided it was time to reevaluate his life. “I just made a big pivot at that point in my life and said, ‘You know what? This is not what I want.’”
Despite those challenges, Chad found his way back to acting with a new perspective—and a new priority. “My goal in life is to just be a great father, a great husband,” he shared. “I love being an actor. But at the end of the day, the real grassroots thing for me was being a family man.”
His family—wife Sarah Roemer and their two children—became his anchor. “They keep me grounded,” Chad added, emphasising how much their support means to him.
As part of their focus on family life, Chad revealed an exciting update: they’re relocating to his hometown of Buffalo, New York. “We just got a house in my hometown of Buffalo and we’re moving in. I’m excited,” he said, adding that the move feels particularly meaningful during the holiday season.
And when it comes to celebrating Christmas, Chad fully embraces the festive spirit. “I go full Clark Griswold, and so I’ve got some plans ready for the kids,” he joked, referencing the beloved character from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
During the interview, Chad also reflected on his decision to leave Buffalo in the late ’90s to pursue acting in Hollywood. Now, decades later, returning home feels like a full-circle moment—and he credited his wife for the idea.
As Chad settles into this new chapter, it’s clear he’s found a balance between his love for acting and his dedication to family. And while he may have once been tempted to leave Hollywood behind, he’s found a way to thrive on his own terms. For fans of the actor, The Merry Gentlemen is a chance to see him bring his charm to the screen once again, this time with the wisdom and perspective of someone who’s prioritized what truly matters.
