Chad Michael Murray, beloved for his role in Freaky Friday, recently shared a harrowing story about a life-threatening health crisis he faced at 15. In a candid interview on the Great Company podcast, the 43-year-old actor revealed how a severe medical emergency nearly cost him his life, shaping both his personal and professional journey.
Murray described being hospitalized for two and a half months due to twisted intestines that caused severe internal bleeding. “I was hospitalized for two months and a half. It was a lot,” he said, recalling how he lost consciousness intermittently and shed half his blood volume. “I had internal bleeding, lost 50% of my blood. I was on my deathbed,” he shared. The gravity of the situation led to a priest being called to his bedside for last rites, a moment he vividly remembers alongside his father’s emotional distress.
The actor underwent emergency surgery to stop the bleeding, followed by a second procedure to address complications from blood clots around his organs. “My organs shut down because you had blood coagulated around them, and they had to wait for everything to heal more,” Murray explained. When he finally left the hospital, he had dropped from 178 pounds to just 119 pounds, describing himself as a “skeleton.” Seeing his reflection post-recovery was a shock: “I cried. I couldn’t believe that was me.”
This traumatic experience left a lasting impact. Murray credits a nurse named Alana for sparking his career path. During his recovery, she suggested modeling, which he parlayed into acting. “I don’t want to model. I want to be an actor. I love film and television,” he told her. True to her word, Alana connected him with a modeling agency, setting the stage for his rise to fame in hits like One Tree Hill and A Cinderella Story.
The ordeal also deepened his bond with his father, a single parent raising five children. “My dad was raising five kids alone, going to the hospital every day, spending nights with me. That’s when our relationship was forged,” Murray said. His time in the hospital, spent watching movies and TV, also fueled his passion for acting.
Now, Murray maintains a healthy lifestyle, avoiding alcohol and prioritizing nutrition to prevent future health issues. “I’ve been sick from food and I’ve been healed by food,” he noted. His story comes as he reprises his role as Jake in Freaky Friday 2, set to hit theaters soon, reminding fans of his enduring presence in Hollywood.