Actor Chad Michael Murray discussed how fatherhood has profoundly changed his life during a recent appearance on the Great Company with Jamie Laing podcast. The 43-year-old, who describes being a dad as his “greatest achievement,” shared insights drawn from raising three children with his wife, Sarah Roemer.
Murray, who has been married to Roemer since 2015, is father to three kids aged 10, 8, and 1. The actor explained how welcoming his newest child in 2023 brought renewed challenges, but also deep joy to their family life.
Sharing Joy and Challenges of Raising Three Children
During the episode, Jamie Laing mentioned that he is expecting his first child, prompting Murray to offer warm congratulations and candid advice. Murray called fatherhood the
“greatest thing in the entire world,”
emphasizing the unmatched fulfillment it has given him.
He humorously noted returning “to the well” by having a third child, admitting their youngest daughter is the most challenging yet. Murray described her as “busy,” recalling how she followed him around singing one melody repeatedly just before the interview began.
Balancing Life Experiences with Fatherhood
The conversation turned toward the significance of fatherhood compared to Murray’s other life experiences. Despite traveling widely and achieving success, Murray affirmed that being a dad surpasses everything else. Reflecting on a social media post from a man in his seventies who called fatherhood his greatest achievement, Murray said:
“There is nothing better. So, you know, I’ve been really blessed to do so many things, travel the world, and do things that most people can only dream of. If someone said, ‘Dad, or all that?’ No question, dad, 10 out of 10 times,”
he added,
“I’d trade it all in a heartbeat. It’s the greatest thing in the world.”
When asked if fatherhood was his greatest accomplishment, Murray responded simply, “By far.”
Advice for New Fathers from Personal Experience
Murray, known for roles in projects like Freaky Friday and One Tree Hill, shared what he hopes to be a realistic preview of parenting with Laing. He warned about the exhaustion and sacrifices that come with becoming a father but stressed the emotional rewards.
“Are you going to lack in sleep? Yeah. Are you going to start naming your gray hairs after them? Sure, it happens. But it is like you start learning what real love is. You start learning what true selflessness is, and it’s just nothing better.”
Murray also highlighted the difficult realization that children often reflect their parents’ behaviors and traits, sometimes revealing uncomfortable truths.
“You’re going to start seeing things that you can’t stand about yourself and their actions. You’re going to go, ‘No, don’t do that! What are you doing?’ But if you couldn’t coach it out of yourself, what makes you think you can coach it out of them?”
He advised,
“The best advice I can give you is fix it in yourself so that it doesn’t get handed down. Let it die with you.”
Recognizing and Changing Parenting Patterns
Murray revealed how fatherhood has made him more aware of his own childhood habits and their influence on his kids. Growing up in a family with several boys, he acknowledged being stubborn and often replying “I know,” a phrase his eldest son began to mimic.
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that sounds terrible.’ My wife was like, ‘Where do you think he got it from?’ I was like, ‘Oh, no! We’ve got to correct that!’”
This realization spurred him to work consciously on improving himself and, by extension, teaching his children better ways to communicate and behave.
Maintaining Family Privacy While Sharing Special Moments
Though Murray and Roemer occasionally share glimpses of their family life on social media, they generally keep their children’s names private to protect their privacy. The family was recently seen together at the July 22 Freaky Friday premiere in Los Angeles, marking a rare public outing.
At the event, Roemer and their two older children accompanied Murray to the red carpet. Their daughter wore a matching flowy green dress similar to her mother’s, while their son sported an all-white outfit that complemented Murray’s pink, white, and black ensemble.
Fatherhood as a Defining Life Achievement
Chad Michael Murray’s reflections reveal how fatherhood remains an unmatched source of meaning and purpose in his life. His candid sharing of parenting challenges and triumphs underscores the deep transformation parenthood brings. Murray’s advice to first-time dads encourages self-awareness and patience, highlighting the importance of breaking negative cycles for future generations.
As Murray continues to balance his career and family, his openness about fatherhood offers hopeful and determined insights for others navigating parenthood’s complex journey.
