Chad Michael Murray, the heartthrob who captured audiences in the early 2000s with roles in One Tree Hill and A Cinderella Story, is now making headlines not for his on-screen charm but for his pride in his 10-year-old son’s remarkable confidence. During a July 29, 2025, appearance on Good Morning America to promote his role in Freakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 Disney hit Freaky Friday, Murray shared heartwarming anecdotes about his son’s charisma, revealing that the boy has even offered women his father’s photograph in a bold display of charm. The 43-year-old actor, who shares three children with his wife, actress Sarah Roemer, spoke candidly about fatherhood, his family’s tight-knit bond, and how his son’s confidence mirrors his own journey from a small-town kid to a Hollywood star.

Murray’s son, born in 2015, has apparently inherited his father’s natural charisma, a trait that has shone through in public interactions. “He is so confident when he speaks to women,” Murray said on Good Morning America, his voice brimming with paternal pride. He recounted a memorable moment from a visit to the University of Florida, where his son was spotted chatting effortlessly with a group of four or five college girls. “It’s just him sitting with these four or five college girls, and they’re just chatting him up,” Murray recalled, chuckling. The actor noted that his son followed him around all night at the Freakier Friday premiere on July 22, 2025, in Los Angeles, soaking up the spotlight with ease.

The most endearing story, however, came from a beach encounter in Puerto Rico. Murray shared that his son, aware of his father’s celebrity status, approached a group of younger girls in bikinis and confidently introduced himself, saying, “My dad’s Chad Michael Murray. I thought you might want to, you know, get a photo with him.” Murray, who wasn’t present at the time, learned of the incident later and attributed his son’s boldness to his involvement in football, a sport that has fostered teamwork and self-assurance. “The kids have become accustomed to meeting people in public,” Murray explained, noting that he frequently takes photos with fans, a practice his son has observed and emulated. “What a blessing to be able to make someone happy with something as simple as a photograph or an autograph,” he added.

Murray’s stories about his son underscore the actor’s deep commitment to fatherhood, a role he considers paramount. He and Roemer, whom he met on the set of the 2013 thriller series Chosen, share a son and two daughters, born in 2017 and 2023. The couple, married since 2014, have famously shielded their children from the press, keeping their names private and rarely sharing identifiable photos on social media. This privacy was briefly lifted at the Freakier Friday premiere, where their 10-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter made their red-carpet debut alongside their parents. Dressed in a powder blue suit, the boy was a spitting image of his father, while the girl matched her mother in a floral green dress. The rare public outing highlighted the family’s unity, a value Murray emphasizes in every interview.

“I call us ‘The Pack,’” Murray told Variety in November 2024, explaining that his family travels together for every acting job he books. “I want to be there,” he said, reflecting on his desire to be present for milestones like his daughter’s first steps and trick-or-treating. This commitment stems from his own upbringing in Buffalo, New York, where he was raised by his single father, Rex Murray, an air traffic controller, after his mother left when he was 10. Rex, whom Murray calls his “superhero,” juggled work and parenting five children, instilling in Chad a sense of responsibility and resilience. “I wouldn’t have the life and the kids I have right now if it weren’t for my dad,” Murray told Parade in July 2025. “He gave us the opportunity to have a chance in life, to live out our dreams.”

Murray’s childhood wasn’t without challenges. At 15, he faced a near-death experience when his intestines twisted, requiring the removal of two and a half feet of his small intestine and a blood transfusion. The ordeal, which kept him hospitalized for nearly three months, gave him clarity about his aspirations. “Television and film saved me from that moment,” he told The Cut in May 2025, recalling how pop culture provided solace during tough times. His teenage years also included a physical altercation at a Burger King that broke his nose, an injury he clarified in a 2004 interview was not a nose job, despite rumors. These experiences shaped Murray’s grounded perspective, which he now passes on to his children.

Fatherhood has profoundly influenced Murray’s career choices. “A lot of material, especially over the past five to eight years since my son was born, I choose because I think one of the last things you really want is for your kids to be berated in school for what their parents are doing,” he told Numéro in 2024. He avoids roles that might embarrass his children, such as those with excessive nudity, jokingly adding, “I don’t want my kids going to school, being freshmen in high school, and Dad’s butt posted all over their locker.” This mindfulness is evident in his recent projects, like Freakier Friday, where he reprises his role as Jake, the love interest of Lindsay Lohan’s character, and Mother of the Bride (2024), a Netflix rom-com with Brooke Shields. Both films align with his goal of creating content his kids can enjoy or at least respect.

Murray’s return to Freakier Friday has been a nostalgic triumph. The original Freaky Friday (2003) marked a pivotal moment in his career, cementing his status as a teen idol alongside roles in Gilmore Girls (2000–01), Dawson’s Creek (2001–02), and One Tree Hill (2003–09). In the sequel, he reunites with Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, bringing his signature charm to a story that resonates with his own family values. “Introducing the Disney film to my kids for the first time was even better than revisiting it myself,” he told Parade. His children, who attended the premiere, “loved the film, laughing out loud,” a reaction that validated his decision to join the project. The red-carpet debut was a milestone for “The Pack,” with Murray noting that his son and daughter “had the time of their lives” in the public eye for the first time.

Beyond acting, Murray has embraced hands-on parenting. In Nova Scotia, while filming Sullivan’s Crossing (2023–present), he coached his son’s little league football team, fostering camaraderie among the players. “Watching my son and daughter excel fills your heart,” he told Parade, noting that his 8-year-old daughter, the only girl on their Buffalo flag football team, plays alongside her brother. Murray also shares sweet moments on social media, like a 2021 Instagram post of his then-4-year-old daughter snuggling him, captioned, “The snuggles are real. No better duty than #daddyduty.” Another post celebrated his daughter’s heart-shaped birthmark, a detail Roemer shared when announcing their youngest’s arrival in August 2023.

Murray’s family-oriented lifestyle extends to everyday decisions. He and Roemer homeschool their children, a choice that allows flexibility for their nomadic lifestyle. “When Sarah and I got together, we made a pact that we would keep The Pack together no matter what,” Murray told Us Weekly in July 2025. This agreement ensures that if one parent works, the other takes on primary childcare duties, keeping the family unit intact. The couple’s third child, a daughter, was born after a family vote, with their son initially hesitant but ultimately embracing the idea. “He’s the best with her,” Murray said, marveling at his son’s tenderness toward his youngest sister.

Murray’s pride in his son’s confidence reflects his own evolution. Once a self-described “overconfident 19-year-old” who landed roles through sheer belief in himself, Murray now channels that energy into nurturing his children’s self-esteem. “I want to be a great leader,” he told Entertainment Tonight in 2016, a sentiment echoed in his recent interviews. His son’s ability to approach strangers with ease, whether offering his dad’s photo or chatting with college students, suggests that Murray’s influence—combined with Roemer’s support—has fostered a bold yet respectful young man.

As Murray navigates his career, from The Merry Gentlemen (2024), a Netflix Christmas rom-com, to Sullivan’s Crossing, he remains grounded in his role as a father. “I’m a family guy,” he told Numéro, emphasizing that parenting is as much his job as acting. His son’s confidence, whether on the beach or the red carpet, is a testament to the environment Murray and Roemer have created—one of love, privacy, and encouragement. As Freakier Friday hits theaters in August 2025, fans will see Murray’s charm on screen, but it’s his off-screen role as a proud dad that truly shines.