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image icon Lowe at the event for 24 in 2001

Charles Davis Lowe II (born January 15, 1968)[2] is an American actor and director. He is the younger brother of actor Rob Lowe. He won an Emmy Award for his supporting role in Life Goes On as a young man living with HIV. He has had recurring roles on ER, Melrose Place, and Now and Again. Lowe played Deputy White House Chief of Staff Reed Pollock on the sixth season of 24,[3] and played Byron Montgomery on Pretty Little Liars.

Early life

[edit]

Lowe was born in Dayton, Ohio,[2] the son of Barbara Lynn Wilson (née Hepler; 1939–2003), a teacher, and Charles Davis Lowe, a trial lawyer.[1] His parents divorced when Lowe was young.[4] He has an older brother, actor Rob Lowe, and two half brothers from the second marriages of his parents, the producer Micah Dyer (maternal) and Justin Lowe (paternal). Lowe was baptized in the Episcopal Church.[5] He is of German, English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh ancestry.[6]

Lowe was raised in a "traditional midwestern setting"[5] in Dayton, attending Oakwood Junior High School, before moving to the Point Dume area of Malibu, California, with his mother and brother. He attended Santa Monica High School, the same high school as fellow actors Holly Robinson Peete, Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, Chris Penn, and Robert Downey Jr.[4]

Career

[edit]

Lowe began his acting career in the 1980s when he appeared in a number of television films. Lowe co-starred with Charlie Sheen in the 1984 CBS Television drama Silence of the Heart.[3] In 1988 he co-starred with Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Urich in the made-for-TV film April Morning, which depicted the battle of Lexington in the American Revolutionary War.[7] Lowe played the titular character in the short-lived sitcom Spencer, which he left after six episodes.[8]

From 1991 to 1993, he starred in Life Goes On, for which he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1993.[9]

Lowe had recurring roles on Melrose Place, Popular, Now and Again, and ER, and guest-starring roles on Touched by an Angel, Superman, CSI: Miami and Medium.[3] Lowe's feature film appearances have included roles in Nobody's Perfect, True Blood, Quiet Days in Hollywood, Floating, and Unfaithful.[3] In 2000, he portrayed iconic singer John Denver in the television film Take Me Home. That year he also wrote and directed the short film The Audition.[10] Lowe made his feature film directorial debut in 2007 with Beautiful Ohio.[3] Lowe has directed episodes of Bones, Brothers & Sisters, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Hack, Without a Trace, and Pretty Little Liars.[3]

In April 2010, Lowe replaced Alexis Denisof as Aria's father, Byron Montgomery, in Pretty Little Liars.[11]

Personal life

[edit]

While filming Quiet Days in Hollywood, Lowe met actress Hilary Swank. They married on September 28, 1997.[12] On January 9, 2006, Lowe and Swank announced their separation,[12] and in May 2006, they announced their intention to divorce.[13] The divorce was finalized on November 1, 2007.[14] Swank infamously forgot to thank Lowe during her acceptance speech after winning her first Academy Award in 2000 (for Boys Don't Cry).[15] Upon winning her second Oscar in 2005, for Million Dollar Baby, Lowe was the first person she thanked.[16]

On January 19, 2007, a representative announced that Lowe was dating producer Kim Painter.[17] Lowe and Painter's daughter was born on May 16, 2009.[18] Lowe and Painter were married on August 28, 2010, in a small ceremony in Los Angeles.[19] They welcomed their second daughter on November 15, 2012.[20] Their third daughter was born on March 18, 2016.[citation needed]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1984 Oxford Blues Computer Hacker Uncredited
1988 Apprentice to Murder Billy Kelly
1989 True Blood Donny Trueblood
1990 Nobody's Perfect Stephen/Stephanie
1992 Highway to Hell Charlie Sykes
1996 Driven LeGrand
1997 Floating Doug
Trading Favors Marty
Quiet Days in Hollywood Richard
The Others VTV Director
1998 Suicide, the Comedy J.J.
2000 The Audition Uncredited Short film
2001 Your Guardian Parker Smith
2002 Unfaithful Bill Stone
The Space Between Ticket Man Short film
2003 Red Betsy Orin Sanders
2014 California Scheming Mr. Behrle
2015 Entourage Chad Lowe
2019 7 Days to Vegas Sheriff

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1984 Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac Al Hamilton Television film
Silence of the Heart Skip Lewis Television film
1984–1985 Spencer Spencer Winger Series regular; 7 episodes
1986 There Must Be a Pony Josh Sydney Television film
1988 April Morning Adam Cooper Television film
CBS Schoolbreak Special Michael Wells Episode: "No Means No"
1990 So Proudly We Hail Billy Kincaid Television film
1991 Captive Jeff Frost Television film
An Inconvenient Woman Kippie Petworth Miniseries; 2 episodes
1991–1993 Life Goes On Jesse McKenna Series regular; 35 episodes
1993 Candles in the Dark Jaan Toome Television film
1995 Fighting for My Daughter Eric Television film
Siringo Winton Powell Television film
The Show Formerly Known as the Martin Short Show Rob "That's Right" Tarda Television film
Dare to Love Stephen Television film
Snowy River: The McGregor Saga Sam Taylor 2 episodes
1996 ABC Afterschool Specials Roger Episode: "Me and My Hormones"
1996–1997 Melrose Place Carter Gallavan Recurring role; 8 episodes
1997 In the Presence of Mine Enemies Sergeant Lott Television film
The Hunger Neville Episode: "A Matter of Style"
1997–2005 ER Dr. George Henry 4 episodes
1998 Target Earth Commander Fauk, Alien Chief Television film
Poltergeist: The Legacy Josh Miller Episode: "The Covenant"
Touched by an Angel Arthur Bowers Episode: "Miles to Go Before I Sleep"
Superman: The Animated Series Cosmic Boy Voice, episode: "New Kids in Town"[21]
1999 The Apartment Complex Stan Warden Television film
Popular Luke Grant 4 episodes
1999–2000 Now and Again Craig Spence 4 episodes
The Wild Thornberrys Buck the Ibex, Barking Deer #1 Voice, 2 episodes[21]
2000 Take Me Home: The John Denver Story John Denver Television film
2001 Acceptable Risk Edward Welles Television film
The Zeta Project Wade Pennington Voice, episode: "Crime Waves"[21]
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Jason Mayberry Episode: "Pique"
Night Visions Andy Harris Episode: "Hate Puppet
2003 Hack Jimmy Scanlon Episode: "Brothers in Arms"
CSI: Miami Scott Mandeville Episode: "Blood Brothers"
2004 Without a Trace Lawrence Pierce Episode: "Upstairs Downstairs"
2005 Medium David Call Episode: "Being Mrs. O'Leary's Cow"
Fielder's Choice Philip Television film
2007 24 Reed Pollock Recurring role; 8 episodes
2009 Bones Brandon Casey Episode: "The Doctor in the Den"
Ghost Whisperer Nathan Weiss Episode: "Cause for Alarm"
2010 Drop Dead Diva Daniel Porter Episode: "Back from the Dead"
2010–2017 Pretty Little Liars Byron Montgomery Main role (seasons 1-3)
Special guest star (seasons 4-7); 52 episodes[22]
2011–2013; 2019 Young Justice Captain Marvel Voice, 5 episodes[21]
2016 Rizzoli & Isles Charlie Douglas Episode: "Murderjuana"
2017–2018; 2020 Supergirl Thomas Coville 8 episodes[23]
2018 Hailey Dean Mystery: 2+2=Murder Clyde Bennett Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Television Movie[24][25][26]
Hailey Dean Mystery: A Will to Kill
2019 Hell's Kitchen Himself Episode: "Poor Trev"
2022–2023 9-1-1: Lone Star Robert Strand 5 episodes

Director

[edit]
Year Title Notes
2000 The Audition Directorial debut; short film
2002 The Space Between Short film
2003 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Episode: "Soulless"
2004 Hack Episode: "Extreme Commerce"
2006 Beautiful Ohio Feature film
2007–2015 Bones 13 episodes
2008–2010 Brothers & Sisters 2 episodes
2011–2017 Pretty Little Liars 15 episodes
2014 Twisted Episode: "Danny Indemnity"
2015 Rizzoli & Isles Episode: "Bassholes"
2015–2018 Life in Pieces 6 episodes
2016 The Grinder Episode: "Delusions of Grinder"
Stitchers Episode: "Red Eye"
Notorious Episode: "Chase"
2017 American Housewife Episode: "The Snowstorm"
Supergirl 2 episodes[27]
2018 Light as a Feather 2 episodes
2019; 2024 9-1-1 Episodes: "The Searchers", "Buck, Bothered and Bewildered", "Confessions"
2019–2023 The Flash 4 episodes
2019 High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Episode: "Blocking"
2021–2024 9-1-1: Lone Star 6 episodes
2021 Titans Episode: "Purple Rain"
2023 Found Episode: "Missing While Homeless"
2025 9-1-1: Nashville 2 episodes

Producer

[edit]
Year Title Notes
2005 Celebrity Charades Executive producer
2006 Beautiful Ohio Producer

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Title Results
1989 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special CBS Schoolbreak Special Nominated
1993 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Life Goes On Won
Viewers for Quality Television Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series Won
2007 Sarasota Film Festival Debut Director Beautiful Ohio Won
2021 Garden State Film Festival Best Ensemble (Feature) 7 Days to Vegas Won

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chad Lowe

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
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). 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. 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. Born Charles Davis Lowe II in , he is the son of Barbara Hepler, a high school English teacher, and Charles "Chuck" Lowe, a trial lawyer. His parents divorced when he was young, after which Lowe and his brother moved with their mother to , where he began pursuing acting as a teenager. Lowe made his feature film debut in 1984 with , a television movie about teen , and gained early television exposure in guest roles on shows like and . 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 (Fox, 1996–1997), and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Reed Pollock on 24 (Fox, 2007). He transitioned into directing in the 2000s, helming episodes of series such as (The WB/CW, 2000–2007), (ABC Family/Freeform, 2010–2017), Brothers & Sisters (ABC, 2006–2011), The Grinder (Fox, 2015–2016), and more recently 9-1-1: Nashville (2025). In his personal life, Lowe was married to actress Hilary Swank from 1997 to 2007. He has been married to producer Kim Painter since 2010, and the couple has three daughters: Mabel, Fiona, and Nixie. Lowe has also been open about his sobriety, marking 21 years in May 2024.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Chad Lowe was born Charles Davis Lowe II on January 15, 1968, in , the second son of Barbara Lynn Hepler, a high school English teacher, and Charles "Chuck" Lowe, a trial lawyer. His older brother, , born four years earlier in 1964, would later become a prominent , creating a close yet competitive sibling dynamic that influenced their shared entry into the entertainment industry. The family initially lived in a traditional Midwestern environment in 's Oakwood and Five Oaks neighborhoods, where Lowe's early years were shaped by his parents' professional lives and the stability of small-town . Lowe's parents divorced shortly after his birth in the late , disrupting the household when the brothers were still young. In 1976, at age eight, he moved with his mother, brother , and half-brother Dyer (born from his mother's subsequent relationship) to the Point Dume area of , following his mother's remarriage to a therapist. This relocation marked a pivotal shift, immersing Lowe in a more dynamic, entertainment-adjacent environment while he maintained ties to his heritage through summer visits with his father. Lowe also has a half-brother, Justin, from his father's second marriage, contributing to an network that spanned both coasts. Despite the challenges of and geographic separation, Lowe has described his family bonds as resilient, with his parents remaining supportive figures—his mother until her death from in 2003, and his father continuing to practice law in Dayton. This blended family structure, marked by mobility and adaptation, laid the foundation for Lowe's later career pursuits in acting and directing.

Schooling and early interests

Chad Lowe spent his early childhood in Dayton, Ohio, after being born there on January 15, 1968, to Hepler, a teacher, and Davis Lowe, a . His parents divorced when he was an , leading him to spend summers visiting his father in while living primarily with his mother and older brother, , 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. In 1976, at age eight, Lowe moved with his mother and brother to the Point Dume area of , 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 , where he formed connections with a circle of aspiring young actors, including , , , and , whose families lived nearby. The move exposed him to a more dynamic social and creative scene compared to his upbringing. 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.

Career

Acting roles

Chad Lowe began his acting career in television during the early , starting with guest appearances and supporting roles in made-for-TV movies. His screen debut came in the 1984 Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac, where he portrayed a survivor of the crash. That same year, he landed his first series regular role as the title character in the ABC Spencer, which aired for one season and focused on a young boy's adventures in a new town. He also appeared uncredited as a computer hacker in the film , starring alongside his brother . 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 ), who contracts , bringing sensitive attention to the AIDS crisis during a time of widespread stigma. 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. 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. 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 Melrose Place as Carter Gallavan, a billionaire software developer, appearing in eight episodes of season 5 (1996–1997). Other notable television credits included guest appearances as medical student George Henry on ER in season 4 (1997–1998), guest spots on and , and voicing Cosmic Boy in : The Animated Series (1996-2000). He starred as Michael Wiseman in the sci-fi series (1999-2000), playing a man whose consciousness is transferred into a new body after a fatal accident. In 2000, Lowe portrayed country singer in the biographical TV movie Take Me Home: The John Denver Story, earning praise for his musical and dramatic portrayal. 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. 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. Additional films like Highway to Hell (1992) and Siringo (1995) highlighted his genre versatility, though television remained his primary medium. 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. From 2010 to 2017, Lowe achieved renewed prominence as Byron Montgomery, the patriarch of the Montgomery family, in the Freeform mystery-drama , appearing in over 100 episodes across seven seasons and contributing to the show's exploration of family secrets and teen suspense. 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 (2017-2018) and voiced Billy Batson/Captain Marvel in the animated series . In 2019, he starred as the sheriff in the crime drama film . Recent credits include roles in Hallmark's 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). Throughout his over four-decade career, Lowe has amassed more than 100 acting credits, balancing dramatic depth with ensemble work across television and film.

Directing and producing work

Chad Lowe began his directing career in the early , transitioning from to behind-the-camera roles with a focus on intimate, character-driven stories. His directorial debut was Beautiful Ohio (2006), a coming-of-age set in the early about a brilliant teenager overshadowed by his brother's genius, starring and ; the film premiered at the Film Festival and earned positive reviews for Lowe's assured handling of emotional depth. He also directed the independent films The Audition (2000), a short , and California Scheming (2014), a thriller about wealthy teens entangled in . 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 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 (2017–2019). Other representative works encompass Brothers & Sisters (2007), : Special Victims Unit (2003), (2004), Medium (2005), ER (2005), (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 . By 2025, Lowe directed episodes of the anticipated spin-off 9-1-1: Nashville. His television output spans over 50 episodes across more than 20 series, showcasing versatility in genres from drama to sci-fi. 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. 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. 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. 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 . 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. They wed on September 28, 1997, in a small ceremony attended by family and close friends. Their marriage lasted nearly a decade, during which Swank's career rose to prominence with Academy Award wins for (1999) and (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 , citing the need for personal growth despite their mutual support. They briefly attempted reconciliation but filed for in May 2006. Swank later attributed part of the marital strain to Lowe's past 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. The was finalized in November 2007. 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. The couple married on August 28, 2010, in an oceanside ceremony at the Terranea Resort in , attended by family and a small group of friends. Painter, known for her work as a on projects like , 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. Lowe has one full sibling, an older brother, . He also has two half-brothers: Justin Lowe from his father's second marriage, and Dyer, a , from his mother's second marriage. His mother, Barbara Hepler, passed away in 2003. Lowe and his wife, Kim Painter, whom he married in 2010, have three daughters. Their first child, Mabel Painter Lowe, was born on May 16, 2009. Their second daughter, Fiona Hepler Lowe, was born on November 15, 2012. Their third daughter, Nixie Barbara Lowe, was born on March 18, 2016. In January 2025, Lowe and his family lost their home in the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palos Verdes, .

Filmography

Film credits

Chad Lowe began his film career in the 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 in 1984, and notable later highlights include the Adrian Lyne-directed Unfaithful (2002) and a cameo in Entourage (2015). 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.
YearTitleRoleType
1984Flight 90: Disaster on the PotomacAl HamiltonTV Movie
1984Oxford BluesComputer HackerTheatrical
1984Silence of the HeartSkip LewisTV Movie
1986There Must Be a PonyJosh SydneyTV Movie
1988Apprentice to MurderBilly KellyTheatrical
1988April MorningAdam CooperTV Movie
1989Nobody's PerfectSteveTheatrical
1989True BloodJakeTheatrical
1990So Proudly We HailHarperTV Movie
1991Highway to HellCharlie SykesTheatrical
1991CaptiveJeff FrostTV Movie
1991An Inconvenient WomanPhilip QuennellTV Movie
1993Candles in the DarkJaan ToomeTV Movie
1994SiringoWinton PowellTV Movie
1995Fighting for My DaughterEricTV Movie
1995Dare to LoveStephenTV Movie
1996DrivenLeGrandTheatrical
1997Quiet Days in HollywoodRichardTheatrical
1997Trading FavorsMartyTheatrical
1997In the Presence of Mine EnemiesSgt. LottTV Movie
1997The OthersVTV DirectorTheatrical
1998Suicide, the ComedyJ.J.Theatrical
1998Target EarthCommander FaukTV Movie
1999FloatingDougTheatrical
1999The Apartment ComplexStan WardenTV Movie
2000Take Me Home: The John Denver StoryJohn DenverTV Movie
2001Acceptable RiskEdward WellesTV Movie
2001Your GuardianRichardTheatrical
2002UnfaithfulBill StoneTheatrical
2003Red BetsyOrin SandersTheatrical
2005Fielder's ChoicePhilipTV Movie
2006Beautiful OhioCliveTheatrical
2014California SchemingMr. BehrleTheatrical
2015EntourageChadTheatrical
2018Hailey Dean Mystery: A Will to KillClyde BennettTV Movie
2018Hailey Dean Mystery: 2+2=4 MurdersClyde BennettTV Movie
2018Hailey Dean Mysteries: A Marriage Made for MurderClyde BennettTV Movie
20197 Days to VegasSheriffTheatrical
This compilation draws from verified production databases and reflects Lowe's acting contributions up to 2019, with no major theatrical releases reported since.

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. In series television, Lowe achieved prominence with his Emmy-nominated portrayal of Jesse McKenna, a teenager with , on Life Goes On (1991–1993), appearing in 37 episodes. Subsequent roles included Carter Gallavan on (1995, 8 episodes), Dr. George Henry on ER (1997–2005, 4 episodes), and Craig Spence on (1999–2000, 3 episodes). During the , 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). 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. Guest spots included Dr. James Legg on Bones (2013) and Jonah Blechman on Drop Dead Diva (2014). 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). His involvement includes Robert Strand on 9-1-1: Lone Star (2021–2024, 6 episodes).
Year(s)TitleRoleNotesSource
1984Flight #90: Disaster on the PotomacAl HamiltonTV movieTMDB
1984–1985SpencerSpencer Winger13 episodes; leadIMDb
1985–1988VariousGuest roles, 4 episodesIMDb
1986There Must Be a PonyJosh SydneyTV movieTMDB
1986–1987VariousGuest roles, 2 episodesIMDb
1988Adam CooperTV movieRotten Tomatoes
1991–1993Life Goes OnJesse McKenna37 episodes; Emmy nominationIMDb
1995Carter Gallavan8 episodes; recurringApple TV
1997–2005ERDr. George Henry4 episodes; guest/recurringApple TV
1999–2000Craig Spence3 episodes; recurringApple TV
2000Take Me Home: The John Denver StoryTV movie; leadIMDb
2002–2004HackJimmy ScanlonMain roleTV Guide
200524Reed Pollock10 episodes; season 5 recurringIMDb
2010–2013Byron Montgomery49 episodes; recurringIMDb
2010–2013Billy Batson / Shazam / Captain Marvel (voice)Multiple episodesTV Guide
2013BonesDr. James LeggGuest (1 episode)24 Fandom
2014Guest24 Fandom
2017–2018Thomas Coville7 episodes; recurringTV Guide
2021–20249-1-1: Lone StarRobert Strand6 episodes; recurringTV 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. The comedy stars Lowe alongside his then-wife and , and follows a satirical take on obsession with , centering on a woman's fixation on a young actress she observes during an audition. 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. Lowe's first feature film as director, Beautiful Ohio (2006), adapts a by into a coming-of-age set in early 1970s . The film explores family dynamics and 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 and . Additional cast includes and . Premiering at the in 2006 before a , 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. Critics praised Lowe's assured handling of emotional depth and period authenticity, though some noted the narrative's deliberate pacing. No additional feature films or shorts directed by Lowe have been released as of 2025.

Television episodes

Chad Lowe has established himself as a prolific , helming episodes across a wide range of genres including , procedural, , 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 , Lowe's directing credits span over two decades, with a particular focus on network and streaming procedurals in the and , 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. Representative examples of his television directing include:
ShowEpisode(s)YearNotes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"Soulless" (S4E23), others2003Television directing debut; contributed multiple episodes to the long-running series.
Hack"Dial 'O' for Murder" (S2E10)2003Early procedural directing credit.
Without a Trace"The Road Home" (S4E18)2006Crime drama episode.
ER"Middle of Nowhere" (S12E15)2006Directed during the show's later seasons.
Brothers & Sisters"You Get What You Need" (S3E5)2008Family drama episode.
Pretty Little Liars"The Goodbye Look" (S2E2)2011Teen mystery thriller.
Bones"The Puzzler in the Pit" (S9E17)2014Forensic procedural; one of several episodes.
The Grinder"Delusions of Grinder" (S1E13)2016Comedy series starring his brother Rob Lowe.
9-1-1"Hen Begins" (S3E8), others2019–2020Three 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)2017–2023Four or more episodes in the superhero series.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series"Act Two" (S1E9)2019Disney+ musical comedy-drama.
9-1-1: Lone Star"Slow Burn" (S2E10), "Spring Cleaning" (S3E11), "Red vs. Blue" (S3E12), "Best of Men" (S4E9)2021–2023Multiple episodes in the spin-off series.
9-1-1"Confessions" (S8E6)2024Recent emergency drama episode.
Lowe's television directing has earned praise for its pacing and actor collaboration, particularly in ensemble casts, and he continues to take on episodes in ongoing series as of 2025.

Awards and nominations

Primetime Emmy Awards

Chad Lowe earned a single nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1993, which he won for his performance as Jesse McKenna on the ABC series Life Goes On. In this role, Lowe portrayed a young man living with AIDS, contributing to the show's pioneering depiction of disability and health issues in a family drama context. The award recognized his work in episodes such as "Lost Weekend" and "Bedfellows" from the series' final season. No additional Primetime Emmy nominations followed in his career.

Other awards and honors

In 1989, Lowe received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special for his role in the episode "No Means No." For his portrayal of Jesse McKenna on Life Goes On, Lowe won the Q Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series, presented by Viewers for Quality Television, in 1993. Lowe earned the Red Star Award for Debut Director at the 2007 Sarasota Film Festival for directing the feature film Beautiful Ohio. In 2021, he shared the Best Ensemble (Feature) Actor Award at the Garden State Film Festival for his performance in , alongside castmates including , , , , and .

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/21549-chad-lowe?language=en-US
  2. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/chad-lowe/
  3. https://people.com/all-about-rob-lowe-brothers-chad-justin-micah-7975698
  4. https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/chad-lowe/7729/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005165/
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005165/bio/
  7. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/chad-lowe-33599.php
  8. https://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/podcast-rob-lowe/sVPjFh6ZL6yW3ptJoUqVPN/
  9. https://www.ocregister.com/2007/04/17/chad-lowe-behind-the-camera/
  10. https://www.daytondailynews.com/entertainment/actors-you-should-know-who-were-born-dayton/tVYuSkqQANZUY2tVCQaEUK/
  11. https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Chad-Lowe-Stars-Off-Broadway-10524709.php
  12. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/chad-lowe/bio/3000397341/
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096635/characters/nm0005165
  14. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/chad-lowe
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106090/characters/nm0005165
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108757/characters/nm0005165
  17. https://www.hallmarkmystery.com/hailey-dean-mystery-2-2-murder/cast/Chad-Lowe
  18. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/chad-lowe/credits/3000397341/
  19. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/21549-chad-lowe
  20. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/chad_lowe
  21. https://variety.com/2006/film/reviews/beautiful-ohio-1200511981/
  22. https://letterboxd.com/director/chad-lowe/
  23. https://24.fandom.com/wiki/Chad_Lowe
  24. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/rob-lowe-the-floor-season-4-911-nashville-owen-strand-1236528208/
  25. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/life-goes-on-sequel-starring-kellie-martin-lands-at-nbc-1235073966/
  26. https://people.com/celebrity/hilary-chads-substance-abuse-caused-split/
  27. https://www.today.com/popculture/hilary-swank-marries-philip-schneider-secret-ceremony-t136134
  28. https://people.com/celebrity/chad-lowe-hilary-swank-divorcing/
  29. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2012/11/17/chad-lowe-and-wife-kim-welcome-second-child/1711159/
  30. https://people.com/celebrity/new-love-job-got-chad-lowe-through-dark-period/
  31. https://www.tvguide.com/news/chad-lowe-marries-1022514/
  32. https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2009/05/20/Lowes-girlfriend-gives-birth-to-daughter/77361242864966/
  33. https://people.com/parents/chad-lowe-welcomes-daughter-fiona-hepler/
  34. https://people.com/parents/chad-lowe-welcomes-daughter-nixie-barbara/
  35. https://people.com/rob-lowe-shares-how-he-s-helping-his-brother-chad-who-lost-his-home-in-the-l-a-fires-8780257
  36. https://serp.media/movies/all-chad-lowe-movies-in-order/
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096635/
  38. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/chad-lowe/umc.cpc.342fn4464lku85p99bd2nm8hq
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285331/
  40. https://prettylittleliars.fandom.com/wiki/Chad_Lowe
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280446/
  42. https://www.letterboxd.com/film/the-audition-2000/
  43. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-29-ca-24563-story.html
  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280446/reviews/
  45. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479275/
  46. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beautiful-ohio
  47. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479275/awards/
  48. https://popdose.com/dvd-review-beautiful-ohio/
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4184670/
  50. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5440356/
  51. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21443402/
  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18926622/
  53. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34237363/
  54. https://www.televisionacademy.com/awards/nominees-winners/1993/outstanding-supporting-actor-in-a-drama-series
  55. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005165/awards/
  56. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/lowe-chad-1968
  57. https://filmthreat.com/uncategorized/2007-sarasota-film-festival-announces-award-winners/
  58. https://www.gsff.org/wp-content/uploads/2021_Winners.pdf
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