Chad Lowe
Chad Lowe (born January 15, 1968) is an American actor, director, and producer best known for his portrayal of Jesse McKenna, a teenager living with HIV/AIDS, on the ABC drama series Life Goes On (1989–1993).[1][2] For this role, which addressed themes of disability and HIV/AIDS, Lowe received critical acclaim and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1993.[3][2] He is the younger brother of actor Rob Lowe, with whom he has collaborated professionally, including on the Fox series 9-1-1: Lone Star in 2022.[3][1] Born Charles Davis Lowe II in Dayton, Ohio, he is the son of Barbara Hepler, a high school English teacher, and Charles "Chuck" Lowe, a trial lawyer.[3] His parents divorced when he was young, after which Lowe and his brother moved with their mother to Malibu, California, where he began pursuing acting as a teenager.[3][4] Lowe made his feature film debut in 1984 with Silence of the Heart, a television movie about teen suicide, and gained early television exposure in guest roles on shows like St. Elsewhere and Hotel.[3] Throughout his career, Lowe has appeared in over 80 acting projects, including recurring roles as medical student George Henry on ER (NBC, 1997), Carter Gallavan on Melrose Place (Fox, 1996–1997), and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Reed Pollock on 24 (Fox, 2007).[1] He transitioned into directing in the 2000s, helming episodes of series such as Gilmore Girls (The WB/CW, 2000–2007), Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family/Freeform, 2010–2017), Brothers & Sisters (ABC, 2006–2011), The Grinder (Fox, 2015–2016), and more recently 9-1-1: Nashville (2025).[3][5] In his personal life, Lowe was married to actress Hilary Swank from 1997 to 2007.[2] He has been married to producer Kim Painter since 2010, and the couple has three daughters: Mabel, Fiona, and Nixie.[3] Lowe has also been open about his sobriety, marking 21 years in May 2024.[3]Early life and education
Family background and upbringing
Chad Lowe was born Charles Davis Lowe II on January 15, 1968, in Dayton, Ohio, the second son of Barbara Lynn Hepler, a high school English teacher, and Charles "Chuck" Lowe, a trial lawyer.[6][7] His older brother, Rob Lowe, born four years earlier in 1964, would later become a prominent actor, creating a close yet competitive sibling dynamic that influenced their shared entry into the entertainment industry.[3] The family initially lived in a traditional Midwestern environment in Dayton's Oakwood and Five Oaks neighborhoods, where Lowe's early years were shaped by his parents' professional lives and the stability of small-town Ohio.[8] Lowe's parents divorced shortly after his birth in the late 1960s, disrupting the household when the brothers were still young.[3][9] In 1976, at age eight, he moved with his mother, brother Rob, and half-brother Micah Dyer (born 1973 from his mother's subsequent relationship) to the Point Dume area of Malibu, California, following his mother's remarriage to a therapist.[3] This relocation marked a pivotal shift, immersing Lowe in a more dynamic, entertainment-adjacent environment while he maintained ties to his Ohio heritage through summer visits with his father.[8][9] Lowe also has a half-brother, Justin, from his father's second marriage, contributing to an extended family network that spanned both coasts.[3] Despite the challenges of divorce and geographic separation, Lowe has described his family bonds as resilient, with his parents remaining supportive figures—his mother until her death from breast cancer in 2003, and his father continuing to practice law in Dayton.[3] This blended family structure, marked by mobility and adaptation, laid the foundation for Lowe's later career pursuits in acting and directing.[9]Schooling and early interests
Chad Lowe spent his early childhood in Dayton, Ohio, after being born there on January 15, 1968, to Barbara Lynn Hepler, a teacher, and Charles Davis Lowe, a lawyer. His parents divorced when he was an infant, leading him to spend summers visiting his father in Ohio while living primarily with his mother and older brother, Rob, after the family's 1976 relocation. Raised in a traditional Midwestern environment, Lowe's initial years were marked by a stable family life in the Oakwood neighborhood before the family's relocation.[3][10] In 1976, at age eight, Lowe moved with his mother and brother to the Point Dume area of Malibu, California, following his mother's remarriage to a therapist. This transition placed the family in a vibrant coastal community near Hollywood, significantly shaping his formative years. Lowe attended Santa Monica High School, where he formed connections with a circle of aspiring young actors, including Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, and Chris Penn, whose families lived nearby. The move exposed him to a more dynamic social and creative scene compared to his Ohio upbringing.[3][8][2] Lowe's early interests centered on outdoor activities and creative pursuits, reflecting his adjustment to California life. He developed a passion for surfing, often engaging in the sport alongside his brother Rob in the Malibu waves. Influenced by his sibling's budding acting career and the neighborhood's artistic energy, Lowe began exploring performance through informal endeavors, such as producing and starring in backyard movies with friends. These experiences fostered his initial curiosity in acting, which he pursued more formally as a teenager without formal drama training at the time.[11][3]Career
Acting roles
Chad Lowe began his acting career in television during the early 1980s, starting with guest appearances and supporting roles in made-for-TV movies. His screen debut came in the 1984 docudrama Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac, where he portrayed a survivor of the Air Florida Flight 90 crash.[4] That same year, he landed his first series regular role as the title character in the ABC sitcom Spencer, which aired for one season and focused on a young boy's adventures in a new town.[12] He also appeared uncredited as a computer hacker in the film Oxford Blues, starring alongside his brother Rob Lowe.[4] Lowe's breakthrough arrived with his portrayal of Jesse McKenna on the ABC family drama Life Goes On from 1989 to 1993. In the series, he played Jesse McKenna, the boyfriend of teenager Becca Thatcher (whose brother has Down syndrome), who contracts HIV/AIDS, bringing sensitive attention to the AIDS crisis during a time of widespread stigma.[2][13] His nuanced performance earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1993, as well as a Q Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series.[14][12] The role established Lowe as a versatile actor capable of handling emotionally complex characters, and it remains one of his most recognized contributions to television.[2] Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Lowe built a steady presence in prime-time television with recurring and guest roles on hit series. He joined the cast of the Fox soap opera Melrose Place as Carter Gallavan, a billionaire software developer, appearing in eight episodes of season 5 (1996–1997).[4][15] Other notable television credits included guest appearances as medical student George Henry on ER in season 4 (1997–1998), guest spots on Touched by an Angel and CSI: Miami, and voicing Cosmic Boy in Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000).[12][16] He starred as Michael Wiseman in the CBS sci-fi series Now and Again (1999-2000), playing a man whose consciousness is transferred into a new body after a fatal accident.[4] In 2000, Lowe portrayed country singer John Denver in the biographical TV movie Take Me Home: The John Denver Story, earning praise for his musical and dramatic portrayal.[5] Lowe's film work during this period was more sporadic but included several supporting roles that showcased his range. Early credits featured the lead in the horror-thriller Apprentice to Murder (1988), opposite Donald Sutherland, and a comedic turn in Nobody's Perfect (1989) as a college student navigating personal insecurities.[4] He later appeared as Bill Stone, a neighbor entangled in an affair, in the 2002 erotic thriller Unfaithful, directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere.[12] Additional films like Highway to Hell (1992) and Siringo (1995) highlighted his genre versatility, though television remained his primary medium.[4] In the mid-2000s, Lowe continued with high-profile guest and recurring arcs, including the role of Deputy White House Chief of Staff Reed Pollock in season six of Fox's 24 (2007), where his character played a key part in a political conspiracy storyline.[2] From 2010 to 2017, Lowe achieved renewed prominence as Byron Montgomery, the patriarch of the Montgomery family, in the Freeform mystery-drama Pretty Little Liars, appearing in over 100 episodes across seven seasons and contributing to the show's exploration of family secrets and teen suspense.[17] Lowe's later acting roles have leaned toward guest appearances and TV movies, often in mystery and drama genres. He recurred as cult leader Thomas Coville in Supergirl (2017-2018) and voiced Billy Batson/Captain Marvel in the animated series Young Justice.[18] In 2019, he starred as the sheriff in the crime drama film 7 Days to Vegas.[19] Recent credits include roles in Hallmark's Hailey Dean Mysteries series, such as Clyde Bennett in A Marriage Made for Murder (2018), and a six-episode arc as Robert Strand in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2022).[17][18] Throughout his over four-decade career, Lowe has amassed more than 100 acting credits, balancing dramatic depth with ensemble work across television and film.[20]Directing and producing work
Chad Lowe began his directing career in the early 2000s, transitioning from acting to behind-the-camera roles with a focus on intimate, character-driven stories. His feature film directorial debut was Beautiful Ohio (2006), a coming-of-age drama set in the early 1970s about a brilliant teenager overshadowed by his brother's genius, starring William Hurt and Rita Wilson; the film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and earned positive reviews for Lowe's assured handling of emotional depth.[21] He also directed the independent films The Audition (2000), a short drama, and California Scheming (2014), a thriller about wealthy teens entangled in scandal.[1][22] Lowe expanded into television directing in the mid-2000s, helming episodes across a wide range of series, often emphasizing ensemble dynamics and procedural elements. Notable credits include multiple episodes of Bones (2008–2011), where he directed stories blending forensic science with personal relationships; Pretty Little Liars (2011–2014), contributing to its suspenseful teen mystery arcs; 9-1-1 (2018–2020), including high-stakes emergency response narratives; The Flash (2016–2019), with four episodes featuring superhero action and emotional stakes; and Supergirl (2017–2019).[1][23] Other representative works encompass Brothers & Sisters (2007), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2003), Without a Trace (2004), Medium (2005), ER (2005), Ghost Whisperer (2009), High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019), and 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–2023), where he frequently collaborated on projects involving his brother Rob Lowe. By 2025, Lowe directed episodes of the anticipated spin-off 9-1-1: Nashville.[24] His television output spans over 50 episodes across more than 20 series, showcasing versatility in genres from drama to sci-fi.[18] In producing, Lowe has taken on fewer but significant roles, often tied to his directing projects. He served as producer on Beautiful Ohio (2006), handling aspects of its independent production.[1] More recently, he earned producer credit on the planned Life Goes On sequel series at NBC (announced 2022), reuniting with original cast and creator Michael Braverman to revisit themes of family and disability.[25] Lowe also acts as executive producer and director for 9-1-1: Nashville (2025), expanding the franchise with a focus on first responders in Music City.[24] These efforts highlight his growing influence in television production, particularly within ensemble-driven procedurals.Personal life
Marriages and relationships
Chad Lowe was first married to actress Hilary Swank. The couple met in 1992 at a Hollywood Athletic Club party and began dating shortly thereafter. They later co-starred in the 1997 film Quiet Days in Hollywood.[26] They wed on September 28, 1997, in a small ceremony attended by family and close friends.[27] Their marriage lasted nearly a decade, during which Swank's career rose to prominence with Academy Award wins for Boys Don't Cry (1999) and Million Dollar Baby (2004), while Lowe continued his work in television and film. The couple had no children together. Lowe and Swank announced their separation on January 9, 2006, after more than eight years of marriage, citing the need for personal growth despite their mutual support.[28] They briefly attempted reconciliation but filed for divorce in May 2006.[26] Swank later attributed part of the marital strain to Lowe's past substance abuse issues, which he had been addressing through sobriety since 2003, celebrating 21 years in May 2024, though both emphasized that the split was mutual and not solely due to that factor.[26][3] The divorce was finalized in November 2007.[29] Post-divorce, Lowe and Swank have maintained an amicable relationship, with Swank describing them as "forever friends." Following his divorce, Lowe began dating film producer Kim Painter in early 2007.[30] The couple married on August 28, 2010, in an oceanside ceremony at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, attended by family and a small group of friends.[31] Painter, known for her work as a producer on projects like Pretty Little Liars, has been a supportive partner in Lowe's career endeavors. No other significant romantic relationships for Lowe are publicly documented prior to or between his marriages.Family and children
Lowe's parents divorced when he was young, after which his mother remarried and his father also entered a second marriage.[3] Lowe has one full sibling, an older brother, actor Rob Lowe.[3] He also has two half-brothers: Justin Lowe from his father's second marriage, and Micah Dyer, a television producer, from his mother's second marriage.[3] His mother, Barbara Hepler, passed away in 2003.[3] Lowe and his wife, Kim Painter, whom he married in 2010, have three daughters.[5] Their first child, Mabel Painter Lowe, was born on May 16, 2009.[32] Their second daughter, Fiona Hepler Lowe, was born on November 15, 2012.[33] Their third daughter, Nixie Barbara Lowe, was born on March 18, 2016.[34] In January 2025, Lowe and his family lost their home in the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palos Verdes, California.[35]Filmography
Film credits
Chad Lowe began his film career in the 1980s with a mix of theatrical features and made-for-television movies, often portraying young leads or supporting characters in dramas and thrillers. Over the decades, he appeared in more than 40 productions, transitioning from early roles in coming-of-age stories to more mature parts in independent films and ensemble casts. His theatrical debut came with Oxford Blues in 1984, and notable later highlights include the Adrian Lyne-directed Unfaithful (2002) and a cameo in Entourage (2015).[5] The following table lists Lowe's film credits chronologically, including both theatrical releases and television movies (excluding TV series episodes and specials). Roles are noted where prominently documented.| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac | Al Hamilton | TV Movie |
| 1984 | Oxford Blues | Computer Hacker | Theatrical |
| 1984 | Silence of the Heart | Skip Lewis | TV Movie |
| 1986 | There Must Be a Pony | Josh Sydney | TV Movie |
| 1988 | Apprentice to Murder | Billy Kelly | Theatrical |
| 1988 | April Morning | Adam Cooper | TV Movie |
| 1989 | Nobody's Perfect | Steve | Theatrical |
| 1989 | True Blood | Jake | Theatrical |
| 1990 | So Proudly We Hail | Harper | TV Movie |
| 1991 | Highway to Hell | Charlie Sykes | Theatrical |
| 1991 | Captive | Jeff Frost | TV Movie |
| 1991 | An Inconvenient Woman | Philip Quennell | TV Movie |
| 1993 | Candles in the Dark | Jaan Toome | TV Movie |
| 1994 | Siringo | Winton Powell | TV Movie |
| 1995 | Fighting for My Daughter | Eric | TV Movie |
| 1995 | Dare to Love | Stephen | TV Movie |
| 1996 | Driven | LeGrand | Theatrical |
| 1997 | Quiet Days in Hollywood | Richard | Theatrical |
| 1997 | Trading Favors | Marty | Theatrical |
| 1997 | In the Presence of Mine Enemies | Sgt. Lott | TV Movie |
| 1997 | The Others | VTV Director | Theatrical |
| 1998 | Suicide, the Comedy | J.J. | Theatrical |
| 1998 | Target Earth | Commander Fauk | TV Movie |
| 1999 | Floating | Doug | Theatrical |
| 1999 | The Apartment Complex | Stan Warden | TV Movie |
| 2000 | Take Me Home: The John Denver Story | John Denver | TV Movie |
| 2001 | Acceptable Risk | Edward Welles | TV Movie |
| 2001 | Your Guardian | Richard | Theatrical |
| 2002 | Unfaithful | Bill Stone | Theatrical |
| 2003 | Red Betsy | Orin Sanders | Theatrical |
| 2005 | Fielder's Choice | Philip | TV Movie |
| 2006 | Beautiful Ohio | Clive | Theatrical |
| 2014 | California Scheming | Mr. Behrle | Theatrical |
| 2015 | Entourage | Chad | Theatrical |
| 2018 | Hailey Dean Mystery: A Will to Kill | Clyde Bennett | TV Movie |
| 2018 | Hailey Dean Mystery: 2+2=4 Murders | Clyde Bennett | TV Movie |
| 2018 | Hailey Dean Mysteries: A Marriage Made for Murder | Clyde Bennett | TV Movie |
| 2019 | 7 Days to Vegas | Sheriff | Theatrical |
Television credits
Chad Lowe's television career encompasses a wide range of series roles, from groundbreaking dramatic leads to recurring guest appearances and voice work, often highlighting his versatility in portraying complex characters. His early work included TV movies such as Flight #90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984), where he played Al Hamilton, a survivor of the plane crash.[19] In series television, Lowe achieved prominence with his Emmy-nominated portrayal of Jesse McKenna, a teenager with Down syndrome, on Life Goes On (1991–1993), appearing in 37 episodes.[37] Subsequent roles included Carter Gallavan on Melrose Place (1995, 8 episodes), Dr. George Henry on ER (1997–2005, 4 episodes), and Craig Spence on Now and Again (1999–2000, 3 episodes).[38] During the 2000s, he led as Jimmy Scanlon, a young attorney entangled in his brother's criminal world, on Hack (2002–2004). He also recurred as the antagonistic Reed Pollock on 24 (2005, 10 episodes).[18][39] Lowe's later series work featured Byron Montgomery, the father of protagonist Aria, on Pretty Little Liars (2010–2013, 49 episodes), blending acting and directing duties on the show.[40] Guest spots included Dr. James Legg on Bones (2013) and Jonah Blechman on Drop Dead Diva (2014).[23] In more recent years, he voiced Billy Batson / Shazam / Captain Marvel on Young Justice (2010–2013, multiple episodes) and played Thomas Coville, a cult leader, on Supergirl (2017–2018, 7 episodes).[18] His involvement includes Robert Strand on 9-1-1: Lone Star (2021–2024, 6 episodes).[18]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Flight #90: Disaster on the Potomac | Al Hamilton | TV movie | TMDB |
| 1984–1985 | Spencer | Spencer Winger | 13 episodes; lead | IMDb |
| 1985–1988 | St. Elsewhere | Various | Guest roles, 4 episodes | IMDb |
| 1986 | There Must Be a Pony | Josh Sydney | TV movie | TMDB |
| 1986–1987 | Hotel | Various | Guest roles, 2 episodes | IMDb |
| 1988 | April Morning | Adam Cooper | TV movie | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 1991–1993 | Life Goes On | Jesse McKenna | 37 episodes; Emmy nomination | IMDb |
| 1995 | Melrose Place | Carter Gallavan | 8 episodes; recurring | Apple TV |
| 1997–2005 | ER | Dr. George Henry | 4 episodes; guest/recurring | Apple TV |
| 1999–2000 | Now and Again | Craig Spence | 3 episodes; recurring | Apple TV |
| 2000 | Take Me Home: The John Denver Story | John Denver | TV movie; lead | IMDb |
| 2002–2004 | Hack | Jimmy Scanlon | Main role | TV Guide |
| 2005 | 24 | Reed Pollock | 10 episodes; season 5 recurring | IMDb |
| 2010–2013 | Pretty Little Liars | Byron Montgomery | 49 episodes; recurring | IMDb |
| 2010–2013 | Young Justice | Billy Batson / Shazam / Captain Marvel (voice) | Multiple episodes | TV Guide |
| 2013 | Bones | Dr. James Legg | Guest (1 episode) | 24 Fandom |
| 2014 | Drop Dead Diva | Jonah Blechman | Guest | 24 Fandom |
| 2017–2018 | Supergirl | Thomas Coville | 7 episodes; recurring | TV Guide |
| 2021–2024 | 9-1-1: Lone Star | Robert Strand | 6 episodes; recurring | TV Guide |
Directing credits
Feature films and shorts
Chad Lowe made his directorial debut with the short film The Audition in 2000, which he also wrote.[41] The comedy stars Lowe alongside his then-wife Hilary Swank and Brittany Murphy, and follows a satirical take on obsession with celebrity culture, centering on a woman's fixation on a young actress she observes during an audition.[42] Premiering as part of Showtime's "Quick Flicks" anthology series on December 9, 2000, the 15-minute film received positive reviews for its humor and performances, with critics noting its sharp storytelling and Swank's comedic timing.[43][44] Lowe's first feature film as director, Beautiful Ohio (2006), adapts a short story by Ethan Canin into a coming-of-age drama set in early 1970s Ohio.[21] The film explores family dynamics and sibling rivalry through the story of two brothers—Clive, a brilliant but aloof math prodigy (David Call), and William (Brett Davern), who grapples with living in his shadow—amid their unconventional, progressive household led by parents played by William Hurt and Rita Wilson.[45] Additional cast includes Julianna Margulies and Michelle Trachtenberg.[46] Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2006 before a limited theatrical release, Beautiful Ohio earned Lowe the Special Jury Prize for Debut Director at the Sarasota Film Festival in 2007, where Trachtenberg also won for Breakthrough Performance.[47] Critics praised Lowe's assured handling of emotional depth and period authenticity, though some noted the narrative's deliberate pacing.[21][48] No additional feature films or shorts directed by Lowe have been released as of 2025.[22]Television episodes
Chad Lowe has established himself as a prolific television director, helming episodes across a wide range of genres including drama, procedural, superhero, and family-oriented series. His work often emphasizes character-driven storytelling and emotional depth, drawing from his extensive acting experience to guide performances effectively. Beginning in the early 2000s, Lowe's directing credits span over two decades, with a particular focus on network and streaming procedurals in the 2000s and 2010s, and more recent contributions to high-profile shows like the 9-1-1 franchise and DC's The Flash. Lowe has directed over 100 television episodes.[19] Representative examples of his television directing include:| Show | Episode(s) | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | "Soulless" (S4E23), others | 2003 | Television directing debut; contributed multiple episodes to the long-running series. |
| Hack | "Dial 'O' for Murder" (S2E10) | 2003 | Early procedural directing credit. |
| Without a Trace | "The Road Home" (S4E18) | 2006 | Crime drama episode. |
| ER | "Middle of Nowhere" (S12E15) | 2006 | Directed during the show's later seasons. |
| Brothers & Sisters | "You Get What You Need" (S3E5) | 2008 | Family drama episode. |
| Pretty Little Liars | "The Goodbye Look" (S2E2) | 2011 | Teen mystery thriller. |
| Bones | "The Puzzler in the Pit" (S9E17) | 2014 | Forensic procedural; one of several episodes.[49] |
| The Grinder | "Delusions of Grinder" (S1E13) | 2016 | Comedy series starring his brother Rob Lowe.[50] |
| 9-1-1 | "Hen Begins" (S3E8), others | 2019–2020 | Three episodes in the emergency responder drama. |
| The Flash | "Wake Up" (S3E17), "Rather the Fallen Angel" (S4E20), "The Last Temptation of Barry Allen, Pt. 1" (S6E7), "Family Matters, Part 2" (S7E11), "Armageddon, Part 4" (S8E4), "The Good, the Bad and the Lucky" (S9E8) | 2017–2023 | Four or more episodes in the superhero series.[51] |
| High School Musical: The Musical: The Series | "Act Two" (S1E9) | 2019 | Disney+ musical comedy-drama. |
| 9-1-1: Lone Star | "Slow Burn" (S2E10), "Spring Cleaning" (S3E11), "Red vs. Blue" (S3E12), "Best of Men" (S4E9) | 2021–2023 | Multiple episodes in the spin-off series.[52] |
| 9-1-1 | "Confessions" (S8E6) | 2024 | Recent emergency drama episode.[53] |