Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 10, 2025 · Entertainment

One Tree Hill Star Chad Michael Murray's Shocking Teenage Near-Death Experience

One Tree Hill star Chad Michael Murray shared a harrowing story about a near-death experience when he was a teenager; pictured July in London

CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY'S TRAGIC NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE: THE ONE TREE HILL STAR ALMOST LOST IT ALL AT JUST 15 YEARS OLD

In a shocking revelation, Chad Michael Murray, star of hit teen drama One Tree Hill, has opened up about a harrowing near-death experience he endured as a teenager. The 43-year-old actor revealed that at just 15 years old, he lost an alarming 50% of his blood and was left fighting for his life on his "deathbed".

In a recent episode of the Great Company podcast, hosted by Jamie Laing, Murray recounted the traumatic experience in vivid detail. He explained that his intestines became twisted, causing internal bleeding that put him in the hospital for an astonishing two and a half months.

He said he didn't remember much from that experience as he was going 'in and out of consciousness' and had to undergo emergency surgery multiple times; pictured July in New York City

"I was going in and out of consciousness," Murray said, recalling the agonizing ordeal. "I didn't remember much of it, but I do remember seeing my dad talking to a priest about last rites at one point before I got a blood transfusion."

Murray's health took a drastic turn for the worse when his blood coagulated around his organs, forcing him to undergo emergency surgery not once, but twice. His condition was so dire that he had to be rushed back into the operating room just days after being released.

The actor's weight dropped from 180 pounds to a mere 118 pounds during his hospital stay, leaving him a shadow of his former self. However, it was not just his physical health that suffered; Murray also revealed that the experience left him with deep emotional scars.

The actor, now 43, said that back when he was 15 years old, he lost half of the blood in his body and was 'on [his] deathbed'; pictured in his early 20s in 2003 One Tree Hill portrait

"I battled agoraphobia in my early twenties," Murray confessed. "I was struggling with anxiety and depression, but I didn't know how to cope."

Murray's road to recovery was paved by the kindness of strangers, particularly two nurses who played a crucial role in saving his life: Sandy and Alana. The latter, a model herself, even offered Murray advice on how to segue into modeling as a way to further his acting career.

"I was like, 'I don't want to model, I want to be an actor,'" Murray recalled. "And she's like, 'Well, you can start with modeling and then move into acting.' She meant it, and she hooked me up with this modeling company when I got out of the hospital."

He explained that his intestines became twisted, and he was suffering from internal bleeding

Murray's big break came a few years later when he landed the lead role of Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill. He went on to star in hit teen dramas like Freaky Friday opposite Lindsay Lohan and A Cinderella Story alongside Hilary Duff.

Now, as Murray promotes his latest film, Freakier Friday, he's opening up about his journey towards clean living. "I've been focusing on eating healthy and avoiding alcohol," he said. "I want to stay healthy and keep pushing myself creatively."

Murray's harrowing near-death experience serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of prioritizing one's health and well-being. As fans continue to support his work, they're also rooting for his continued success and happiness.

He also recalled the names of the nurses who saved his life — Sandy, who gave him a blood transfusion, and Alana, who was a model.

The actor is currently on a promo tour alongside co-stars Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis as they promote Freakier Friday, a sequel to the 2003 hit film. Murray's story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

As he navigates the ups and downs of Hollywood, Chad Michael Murray's harrowing near-death experience serves as a poignant reminder that life is short, but the impact we have on others can last a lifetime.

On Friday's episode of the Great Company podcast, he told host Jamie Laing that he was in the hospital for two and a half months