'Time Just Destroyed His Face': Social Media Viewers Say This Heartthrob Is Hard to Look At with 'Unkempt' Facial Hair – Then & Now Pics

Chad Michael Murray has aged since the release of his movie "Freaky Friday" in 2003. He's grown his hair, cut it, even changed dress codes, and more. The actor also settled down and had children and reprised his role in the 2003 film in the 2025 sequel "Freakier Friday."

Chad Michael Murray is a model-turned-actor who has appeared on television shows and movies for twenty years. Besides his acting talent, he is well-known for his good looks and six-foot height. But, according to some fans, his looks have changed negatively over the years.

Some might recall seeing Murray starring in 2003's "One Tree Hill" and "Freaky Friday." He also appeared in 2004's "A Cinderella Story" and 2005's "House of Wax." His success in Hollywood contrasts with his religious upbringing. He served as an altar boy every Sunday at his church.

After his mother left, the star only prayed alone at night in his bedroom, more as an afterthought. By the time he moved to the West, and then to Wilmington, North Carolina, he had stopped practicing religion altogether. He has since had many changes in appearance over the years.

Murray in the Early 2000s

Murray's good looks were on full display in the early 2000s, like in 2001, when he had longer hair while starring in "Gilmore Girls."

By October of the following year, his hair was even longer. But he maintained his handsome appearance at the California premiere of "The Rules of Attraction."

By August 2003, he still looked stunning with a shorter haircut while posing with Hilary Duff at the Teen Choice Awards. Despite his put-together look during that time, he once confessed to being "far more fragile than I ever put on."

He explained how success arrived quickly, with everyone giving him the green light. But he said the truth was, "I was walking around with a really pained heart." By 2024, he admitted to living with agoraphobia, an illness that has symptoms like a panic attack.

The illness 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."

Murray continued, "The world felt like it was closing in; I was having anxiety attacks." A few years later, he changed the trajectory of his life in Hollywood by turning back to his faith.

Murray in 2007

When he turned 25, Murray focused on changing certain aspects of his life in Hollywood. After waking up feeling unsettled, he realized he disapproved of the direction his life was taking. So he went to church and had a tattoo of a cross done on his left wrist.

He vowed, "I'm going to move myself in faith." By May 2006, the actor appeared to be different, with very short hair and facial hair, when he attended The CW Upfront 2006/2007 event in New York City.

By late January 2007, his hair had grown out when he was seen at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. His beard was relatively the same.

When he attended the premiere of "Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End" in May 2007, his hair was shorter. His facial hair was more prominent, and he looked older. By 2011, he appeared more refined, experimenting with different looks, glasses, and hairstyles while attending various events.

Murray in 2011

When Murray arrived at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's "A Time For Heroes Event" on June 12, 2011, he looked as good as ever. He'd added more color to his hair and styled it well but kept it short.

The actor still had his mustache and beard but lessened both in August when he attended the Sunset Strip Music Festival in West Hollywood, California. His hair was longer than before, and this time he sported black glasses to give him a more studious look.

He seemed to return to his early 2000s look when he attended the Yahoo! Sports Presents A Day Of Champions event in November. His blond hair was a lighter shade with his facial hair kept short.

Murray looked a bit gloomy when photographed at the launch of Google Music later that same month. He had on a black beanie but still looked as handsome as before. The star wrapped up the year by having a book signing in December.

His hair was longer and styled when he arrived to sign copies of his new book "Everlast" at the Barnes & Noble bookstore. His life took a positive turn a few years later when he found love.

Murray in 2015

In early 2014, Murray started dating Sarah Roemer, and they became inseparable after becoming co-stars on "Chosen." By January 2015, reports revealed that the pair had tied the knot. During an interview, the actor shared a little about his private life.

He revealed that he is romantic and a family man, "I tend to keep everything quiet. I love my life. That's the part that I keep for myself." By 2026, he and Roemer had three children: a son, aged 11, and two daughters, aged nine and three.

Speaking about his family, he confessed, "It's been the greatest chapter of my life." In March 2015, he was photographed having lunch with his then-pregnant wife at Los Angeles' Studio City. In 2017, some still considered Murray a heartthrob.

Murray in 2017

In late January 2017, Murray looked happy and content 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 pregnant belly at ArcLight Hollywood.

His hair and facial hair remained short when he visited the Build Series to discuss his role in "Sun Records." The event was held on March 16 in New York City, where the actor sported a powder blue suit and white shirt.

By November, his hair appeared to be the same length when he visited Los Angeles' Young Hollywood Studio. In 2021, he seemed more focused on his children and being a family man.

Murray in 2021

Taking to Instagram in late February 2021, Murray shared 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 it due to its colorful and pretty nature.

Murray was happy that he was able to bring a smile to his daughter's face with the help of the people who voted for him back then. The following month, his hair was short again when he posed in an Instagram photo while snuggling his daughter. But, he looked a bit scruffier the following year.

Murray in 2022

The actor started 2022 with slicked-back hair and sunglasses in a photo he uploaded on Instagram in February. His facial hair looked a little unkempt and was slightly longer and darker than usual.

By March, his hair was untidy and even longer, 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."

By July, he was back to his usual appearance. His hair was slicked back again, and he looked like his usual self.

By December, he seemed to have returned to the disheveled look when seen at the Christmas Con New Jersey event held at the Expo Center. His hair was longer, with a few strands styled down to his chin.

He looked like a lumberjack with his short facial hair and red, blue, and white checked shirt. Murray seemed to like the lumberjack look because he kept it the following year.

Murray in 2023

The star kept his scruffy look for 2023 and even rocked it during red-carpet events. He had longer and more disheveled hair and facial hair when he attended the Los Angeles premiere of "John Wick: Chapter 4" in March.

His look might have been inspired by his character for his new show, "Sullivan's Crossing." In April, he had a more rugged look and wore a checked shirt when he posted a picture of himself on set.

By August, he shared another image of himself looking like a typical bad boy with his loose hair and black leather jacket. He revealed that he'd just had a fresh haircut and his head felt a "pound lighter" after celebrating his birthday.

In late August, he sported a bandana tied around his long hair while staring lovingly at his newborn child. His facial hair was longer, but his face wasn't that visible as he was lying down. For 2024, the star had a lot going for him career-wise, but his looks remained the same as in 2023.

Murray in 2024

Murray is credited as more than an actor, as he's done some directing and producing. Besides starring in "Sullivan's Crossing," he featured alongside Benjamin Bratt and Brooke Shields in May 2024's "Mother of the Bride."

In July, he looked like a biker with his longer hair while seated on a motorcycle. He revealed that he was going to reprise his role as Jake in the "Freaky Friday" sequel, "Freakier Friday," which was released in August 2025.

His co-star, Jamie Lee Curtis, enticed fans to look forward to the film because "Chad is in it. And boy, oh boy, is Chad in it." In January 2024, Murray covered his hair with a beanie while kissing his wife at a football game.

By May, his rugged look was 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 his short-sleeved shirt.

The actor looked a bit more put together when he attended the Los Angeles special screening of the Netflix movie at The Bay Theater. He wore a lilac-colored jacket with a white T-shirt and accessorized with a necklace with a cross. Sadly, not everyone approved of his older appearance.

Netizens Disapprove of Murray's Looks

Back in 2016, a fan decided to search for Murray to see what he looked like and complained that he had "so many wrinkles..." adding, "Wow my day is ruined." In January 2024, an X user shared side-by-side images of the actor in 2003 and 2023.

According to the netizen, one of the men who 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 guy." The viewers seemed to disapprove of how Murray has aged, but his role in "Freakier Friday" gave fans a fresh look at the 45-year-old on the big screen.

Meanwhile, Murray has shown no signs of slowing down when it comes to celebrating the show that made him a household name.

In September 2026, he took to Instagram to mark the 23rd anniversary of "One Tree Hill," teaming up with co-star James Lafferty to launch a limited-edition collection — including autographed jerseys and a Championship Ring presented in a custom collectible box personally signed by both actors.

The post gave fans another glimpse at how Murray looks today, and the comments section lit up with nostalgia from devoted followers who have stuck with him since his "One Tree Hill" days. It is a reminder that, regardless of what critics say about his changing appearance, his fan base remains as loyal as ever.