The actor from “Freaky Friday” | Source: Getty Images
This actor has changed since his first roles in “Gilmore Girls” and “Freaky Friday.” He’s grown his hair, which fans have complained about, and even altered his clothing style over the years.
This former teen heartthrob modeled for several brands before turning to acting and has been appearing in TV shows and movies for the last 20 years. Aside from his famous roles, he is well-known for his good looks and six-foot height. But many netizens aren’t happy with his aged appearance.
The actor speaks on stage during the C2E2 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place on April 28, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois | Source: Getty Images
You may recall seeing him in 2003’s “One Tree Hill” and 2004’s “A Cinderella Story.” He was also in 2005’s “House of Wax,” but that was exactly the kind of film that contrasted with his
religious upbringing
.
As a child, he served as an altar boy every Sunday at his church but turned to praying alone when his mother left. Eventually, he gave up religion and moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at how this star has changed, starting from now to the very beginning of his career.
The actor attends the special screening of “Mother of The Bride” at The Bay Theater on May 08, 2024 in Pacific Palisades, California | Source: Getty Images
2024
The “One Tree Hill” alum has earned credits as more than an actor over the last few years, as he’s done some
directing and producing
. But he’s still appearing in movies. He recently
featured alongside Benjamin Bratt
and
Brooke Shields
in 2024’s “Mother of the Bride.”
In July 2024, the former heartthrob looked like a bad boy with his longer hair while seated on a motorcycle. Additionally, he revealed that he was going to
reprise his role
as Jake in the “Freaky Friday” sequel, “Freakier Friday,” set for release in 2025. His co-star,
Jamie Lee Curtis
,
enticed
fans to look forward to the film by confirming the news that this actor was coming back.
In May, the actor was seen a bit more put together when he attended the Los Angeles special screening of “Mother of the Bride” at The Bay Theater. He wore a lilac-colored jacket with a white T-shirt and accessorized with a cross necklace.
The actor at the Los Angeles Special Screening of “Mother Of The Bride” on May 8, 2024, in Pacific Palisades, California | Source: Getty Images
A few days earlier that same month, his rugged looks were on full display when he visited the “Today” show for an interview about his movie with Shields and Bratt. He even wore a scarf with a short-sleeved shirt.
Meanwhile, in January 2024, he
covered his hair
with a beanie while kissing his wife, Sarah Roemer, at a football game. He had a scruffy appearance that wasn’t different from his 2023 styling choices. Keep going to see his looks a year earlier.
2023
In August 2023, he sported a bandana tied around
his long hair
while staring lovingly at his then-newborn child. His facial hair was longer than usual but not fully visible as he was lying down.
Earlier that month, he shared an image of himself looking like a typical bad boy with loose hair and a black leather jacket. He
revealed
that he’d just had a fresh cut and his head felt “a pound lighter” after celebrating his birthday.
Back in April, he had his more usual
country look
and wore a checked shirt when he posted a picture of himself on the set of “Sullivan’s Crossing.”
The star also rocked this style during several red carpet events. In March, he attended the Los Angeles premiere of “John Wick: Chapter 4,” looking almost the same as on the show but wearing darker clothes.
The actor at the Los Angeles premiere of “John Wick: Chapter 4” on March 20, 2023, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Clearly, he didn’t change much between 2024 and 2023. Sadly, not everyone has been pleased with his older appearance.
Netizens Disapprove of His Looks
For a while, people have commented on this actor’s changed appearance. Back in 2016, a fan decided to search what he looked like and
complained
that he had
“so many wrinkles…”
adding,
“Wow my day is ruined.”
That discourse has started again now that the star has been more active in mainstream projects.
An X user shared
side-by-side images
of the “One Tree Hill” alum in 2003 and 2023. Another netizen said the actor had
“officially hit the wall,”
and
added
,
“The teen heartthrob who was ubiquitous in the early 00s as the hunk of every show and movie is now way past his prime.”
”
The deepset wrinkles, crows feet, sunken in eyes and [expletive] unkempt facial hair [sic],”
the netizen
concluded
.
“At least you can say he still has his head of hair…for now. Men age like milk.”
Commenting on the same post, someone else
lamented
,
“Omg this is DEVASTATING. He was so beautiful. Is there even any wall still standing after a collision of this magnitude?”
Another critic
wrote
,
“Wow. Time just destroyed his face and now he looks like an old douche-y [sic] guy.”
Appearances will change with age, but let’s go back and remember why everyone fell in love with this actor’s handsomeness in the first place.
2022
In December 2022, he appeared at the Christmas Con New Jersey event held at the Expo Center. His hair was long, with a few strands styled down to his chin. He appeared like a lumberjack with a short beard and a red, blue, and white checked shirt.
The actor at Christmas Con New Jersey on December 10, 2022, in Edison, New Jersey | Source: Getty Images
Rewinding to March, the star rocked his usual appearance on an Instagram post. His hair was slicked back again, and he looked like his regular self.
Earlier, in March, his hair was untidy, but his beard and mustache seemed well-kept. In his post, he
joked
, “The 90’s called. They want their hair back. I said no.”
But just a few months earlier, this star showed off
slicked-back hair
and sunglasses in a photo he uploaded on Instagram in February. His beard was a little unkempt and was slightly longer and darker than usual.
2021
Meanwhile, the early 2020s were not much different. In March 2021, his
hair was short
when he posed in an Instagram photo while snuggling his daughter.
A month before, in February, the former heartthrob posted a photo of himself
looking buff
in a white tank top in his garage/gym. He noted how he’d finally put up his Teen Choice Award from 2004 because his daughter liked the colors. He was happy to put a smile on her face because of the people who voted for him back then.
Let’s rewind even farther back to a significant event in his life: becoming a father! That could’ve been the reason why the actor changed so much lately.
2017
YOU GUESSED IT: THIS IS CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY!
In November 2017, the actor’s light brown-golden locks were styled nicely, giving him a youthful appearance, when he visited Los Angeles’ Young Hollywood Studio.
Chad Michael Murray visits the Young Hollywood Studio on November 15, 2017, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
On March 16, his hair and beard were also short when he visited the Build Series to discuss his role in “Sun Records.” The event was held in New York City, where Murray sported a powder blue suit and white shirt.
Chad Michael Murray at the Build Series to discuss his role in the series “Sun Records” on March 16, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In late January 2017, he appeared happy while wearing a long green jacket, a white turtleneck, and blue jeans at the premiere of “John Wick: Chapter Two.” He was photographed touching his wife’s then-pregnant belly at ArcLight Hollywood.
Chad Michael Murray and Sarah Roemer at the Los Angeles premiere of “John Wick: Chapter Two” on January 30, 2017, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
2015
Let’s go back in time to March 2015, when he was photographed having lunch with his then-pregnant wife at Los Angeles’ Studio City. The pair had tied know earlier that year and quickly decided to start a family. They had met just a year earlier on the set of “Chosen.”
Chad Michael Murray and Sarah Roemer seen having lunch in Studio City on March 3, 2015, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
During an interview, the actor
shared
a little about his private life, “I tend to keep everything quiet. I love my life. That’s the part that I keep for myself.”
Chad Michael Murray as Jack Thompson on season one of “Marvel’s Agent Carter” on January 12, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Currently, he and Roemer have three children: two daughters, aged seven and eight months, and a son who is eight. Speaking about his family, he
confessed
, “It’s been the greatest chapter of my life.” Let’s keep going back to see the bad boy no one imagined would turn into a dedicated father and husband.
2011
Murray wrapped up 2011 by having a book signing in December. His hair was long and in a messy style when he arrived to sign copies of his new book “Everlast” at the Barnes & Noble bookstore.
Chad Michael Murray arrives to sign copies of his book “Everlast” at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on December 1, 2011, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
A month before, he seemed to return to his early 2000s style but looked a bit gloomy when photographed at the launch of Google Music in November. He had on a black beanie and looked as handsome as ever.
Chad Michael Murray at the launch of Google Music on November 16, 2011, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
A few days earlier, he attended the Yahoo! Sports Presents A Day Of Champions event. His blond hair was a lighter shade with his facial hair kept short.
Chad Michael Murray at the Yahoo! Sports Presents A Day Of Champions event on November 6, 2011, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Back in August, Murray attended the Sunset Strip Music Festival in West Hollywood, California. His hair was longer than the picture above, and this time he sported black glasses, which gave him a more studious demeanor.
Chad Michael Murray at the Sunset Strip Music Festival on August 19, 2011, in West Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
On June 12, 2011, Murray arrived at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s “A Time For Heroes Event,” looking beautiful. He had a combed-back hairstyle but still messy, and his beard was longer.
Chad Michael Murray at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s “A Time For Heroes Event” on June 12, 2011, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
2007
Turn back the clock to several years earlier. When Murray attended the premiere of “Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End” in May 2007, his hair was shorter. His beard was mostly the same, but he looked tired.
Chad Michael Murray at the premiere of “Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End” on May 19, 2007, in Anaheim, California | Source: Getty Images
In late January 2007, his hair was longer at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. He was also well-dressed for the event compared to more casual appearances.
Chad Michael Murray at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, on January 28, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
Rewinding to when he turned 25, something significant changed for the actor. After waking up feeling unsettled, Murray realized he disapproved of the direction his life was taking. So he reconnected with religion, went back to church, and had a tattoo of a cross done on his left wrist. He
vowed
, “I’m going to move myself in faith.”
However, this decision seemed to have shaped his appearance going forward. He only ever looked different earlier, in May 2006, when the actor attended The CW Upfront 2006/2007 event in New York City.
Chad Michael Murray at The CW Upfront 2006-2007 event in New York City on May 18, 2006 | Source: Getty Images
Ultimately, it was his earlier era that truly catapulted him to stardom and might be the reason why netizens aren’t so pleased with his looks now.
The Early 2000s
Murray’s handsome was on full display during this time. In August 2003, he stunned with a short haircut while posing with his “A Cinderella Story” co-star, Hilary Duff, at the Teen Choice Awards. However, despite his put-together appearance, he once
confessed
to being “far more fragile than I ever put on.”
Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray at Teen Choice Awards in Universal City, California, on August 2, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
Earlier, in October 2002, his hair was much longer, like in “Freaky Friday.” He maintained this image at the California premiere of “The Rules of Attraction.” However, he would soon reveal how his early success became a problem.
Chad Michael Murray during “The Rules of Attraction” premiere in Hollywood, California, on October 3, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
He
said
the truth was, “I was walking around with a really pained heart.” It was only in 2024 that he admitted to living with agoraphobia, an illness that has symptoms like a panic attack.
The condition began affecting him while he was working on “One Tree Hill.” Recalling one incident related to agoraphobia, he
stated
, “I was around 23 and I had an event in Miami, but I couldn’t leave my hotel room.”
Chad Michael Murray at the World Premiere of “The Santa Clause 2” on October 27, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Murray
continued
, “The world felt like it was closing in; I was having anxiety attacks.”
Finally, his beginning was in 2001 when he had shorter hair while starring in “Gilmore Girls.” There was a certain look to him that was popular at the time.
Chad Michael Murray posing for a photo on June 13, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
His evolution from teen heartthrob to seasoned actor and family man trying to overcome mental struggles has brought changes to his appearance as expected. While some people miss his early 2000s look, Murray seems comfortable embracing his natural progression.