Chad Michael Murray opened up about a time when he strongly considered leaving Hollywood behind.
The 43-year-old actor hit it big in the early aughts with starring roles in projects like One Tree Hill, Freaky Friday and A Cinderella Story.
More recently, he’s starring in the Netflix Christmas movie The Merry Gentlemen. In a new interview, he revealed that he did once consider quitting the industry and reflected on where he stands now.
He also shared a big personal update.
Keep reading to find out more…
Speaking to Interview, Chad said that he “one hundred percent” was tempted to quit.
“There was a moment where I was quitting. I was done. I just couldn’t do it anymore. It was right after I left One Tree Hill, and it wasn’t because of the fandom,” he said.
The star continued, explaining his motivation: “It was because, when you’re 18 to 25, these formidable years where you’re really cutting your teeth on life experiences and your brain isn’t fully developed, you make mistakes. 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.”
“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. And so I just made a big pivot at that point in my life and said, ‘You know what? This is not what I want,’” he explained.
Chad said that his perspective has changed.
“My goal in life is to just be a great father, a great husband. I love being an actor. But at the end of the day, the real grassroots thing for me was being a family man,” he explained, adding that his family helps keep him grounded.
On the topic of his family, Chad revealed that they are making a big move.
“We just got a house in my hometown of Buffalo and we’re moving in. I’m excited,” he said, talking about his holiday plans. “I go full Clark Griswold, and so I’ve got some plans ready for the kids.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Chad reflected on leaving Buffalo in the late ’90s to pursue his career in Hollywood.
As for the move back, he credited his wife Sarah Roemer.
