If you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably had a poster of Chad Michael Murray on your wall. Maybe it was the smoldering look as Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill, or that rain-soaked scene in A Cinderella Story. He was the ultimate teen idol. But behind that perfectly tousled hair was a love life that felt like a scripted drama itself.
Honestly, the Chad Michael Murray dating history is a wild ride of "did that really happen?" moments. We’re talking about high-stakes marriages, seven-year engagements that went nowhere, and a decade-long marriage that finally gave him the "white picket fence" he always wanted.
The Sophia Bush Era: A Hurricane of Teen Drama
You can't talk about Chad Michael Murray without talking about Sophia Bush. They were the "it" couple of The WB.
When they met on the set of One Tree Hill in 2003, the chemistry was instant. They were young, beautiful, and the center of a massive cultural phenomenon. Looking back now, Chad admits he was basically a kid. In 2024, he told The Cut that he "was a baby" during that time and didn't really know up from down.
The timeline was fast. Too fast.
- 2003: They start dating.
- May 2004: They get engaged.
- April 2005: They tie the knot in Santa Monica.
Five months later? It was over.
Sophia Bush filed for an annulment citing "fraud," which is a pretty heavy word in legal terms. While the annulment was denied and they had to settle for a standard divorce in 2006, the rumors were everywhere. The biggest one? That Chad allegedly cheated with Paris Hilton while they were filming House of Wax.
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Nick Carter, who was dating Paris at the time, actually went on the radio back then and confirmed there was an affair. It was messy. Sophia later admitted on Radio Andy that getting married wasn't something she actually wanted to do, but she felt pressured by the show's success and the fans' expectations.
The Seven-Year Engagement Nobody Saw Coming
Right after the split with Sophia, Chad moved on with Kenzie Dalton. She was an extra on One Tree Hill—specifically, a cheerleader.
At the time, the news was a bit of a shocker. Kenzie was only 18 when Chad proposed in 2006. He was 24 and technically still in the middle of his divorce from Sophia.
They stayed engaged for seven years.
Think about that for a second. Most Hollywood marriages don't last seven months, yet these two were perpetually "about to get married" for almost a decade. Chad used to call her his "best friend" and a "sweetheart." But in late 2013, they quietly called it quits. No big scandal, no cheating rumors this time—they just realized it wasn't going to happen.
A Brief Detour with Nicky Whelan
Shortly after Kenzie, Chad was spotted with his Left Behind co-star Nicky Whelan.
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It was a classic Hollywood "rebound" situation. They were seen together a lot in late 2013 and early 2014, but it was over before most people even realized it started. At this point, it felt like Chad was just searching for that "core" family life he kept talking about in interviews.
Sarah Roemer: The End of the Rollercoaster
In 2013, Chad joined the cast of a show called Chosen. That's where he met Sarah Roemer. You probably remember her from the thriller Disturbia.
This time, things were different. They didn't do the whole "public engagement" thing. In fact, they kept everything so quiet that the world didn't even know they were married until January 2015. When the news finally broke, it was a double whammy: they were married and expecting their first child.
The Murray-Roemer Timeline
- 2013: Met on the set of Chosen.
- September 2014: Secretly got married.
- 2015: Welcomed their first son.
- 2017: Welcomed their first daughter.
- August 2023: Welcomed their second daughter (who arrived with a heart-shaped birthmark on her ankle!).
They’ve been together for over a decade now. In September 2024, they celebrated their 10th anniversary, and Chad posted this super emotional tribute on Instagram calling it the "best decade" of his life.
Why the Narrative Shifted
It’s interesting to see how the Chad Michael Murray dating history shifted from tabloid fodder to "family goals."
Early on, he was the guy being called out for cheating by exes like Erin Foster (who he dated from 2001 to 2002). Erin mentioned on her podcast that he definitely cheated on her "in an egregious way" while they lived together.
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But as he’s gotten older, the focus has completely moved to "The Pack"—his nickname for his family. He actually brings his wife and three kids to every single movie set he works on. Whether he's filming Sullivan's Crossing or the Freaky Friday sequel (Freakier Friday, coming in 2025), Sarah and the kids are there.
Sarah even homeschooled the kids on the road so they could stay together. It’s a complete 180 from the young actor who was making headlines for all the wrong reasons in the mid-aughts.
What Fans Get Wrong
People often assume that Chad and Sophia Bush are still bitter. While they aren't exactly best friends, they’ve both moved on. Sophia has spoken about the "joke marriage" being a difficult time in her life, and Chad’s reps have occasionally called her comments "ludicrous," but mostly, they just stay out of each other's way.
Another misconception is that his career stalled. It didn't; he just changed his priorities. He’s very open about the fact that he wants to be a "family guy" first and an actor second.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following his journey now, there are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch for "Freakier Friday": Chad is returning as Jake in the 2025 sequel. Watch for red carpet appearances, as he’s been bringing his older kids out lately (they made their debut in July 2025).
- Follow Sarah Roemer's Socials: She actually posts more of the "behind the scenes" family life than Chad does, though they both keep the kids' faces hidden for privacy.
- Respect the Privacy: The couple is very clear about keeping their children’s names and faces out of the public eye. Supporting their work without digging for private info is the best way to be a fan in 2026.
Chad’s story is a pretty classic example of someone who grew up in the spotlight, made some very public mistakes, and eventually found the stability he was looking for. It took a few tries, but the "Cinderella Story" seems to have had a real-life happy ending after all.