Chad Lowe: Biography, Career, Wife, Children and Emmy

Chad Lowe has built a long career in Hollywood as an actor and director, moving from television roles in the 1980s to award-winning work and major series roles over the years. He became widely known for playing Jesse McKenna on Life Goes On, a performance that earned him the 1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Lowe later expanded his career behind the camera, directing episodes of several popular television shows while continuing to take on acting roles. His television work has included ER, 24, Pretty Little Liars, Supergirl and 9-1-1: Lone Star. His recent career also includes directing work connected to 9-1-1: Nashville in 2025–2026.

In 2026, Chad Lowe is also in the news for a deeply personal family tragedy following the death of his 13-year-old daughter, Fiona. Lowe and his wife, Kim Painter, announced the loss on September 29, 2026, and asked for privacy while mourning their daughter.

More: Chad Lowe Daughter Fiona Dies at 13

This profile covers Chad Lowe’s early life, acting career, directing work, awards, family, major television and film credits, and his career status in 2026.

Chad Lowe Information

Early Life and Background

Chad Lowe was born Charles Davis Lowe II on January 15, 1968, in Dayton, Ohio. He grew up in a family with strong ties to education and law. His mother, Barbara Lynn Wilson, was a teacher, while his father, Charles Davis Lowe, worked as a trial lawyer.

Lowe’s parents divorced when he was young. He has an older brother, actor Rob Lowe, as well as two half-brothers. Growing up in Dayton gave Chad an early Midwestern childhood before his family later moved to California.

After moving to the Los Angeles area with his mother and brother, Lowe attended Santa Monica High School. The school was also attended by several future Hollywood names, including Rob Lowe, Charlie Sheen and Sean Penn.

Lowe’s interest in acting developed during his teenage years. Instead of building a career in music or songwriting, he moved toward television and film performance. His first professional acting work came in the 1980s, when he began appearing in television movies.

His early screen work helped establish the foundation for a career that would later include television dramas, feature films and directing. In 1984, he appeared in Silence of the Heart alongside Charlie Sheen, marking one of his early television roles. A few years later, he continued building his profile with projects such as April Morning.

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By the early 1990s, Lowe had moved beyond smaller early roles and landed the part of Jesse McKenna on Life Goes On. That role became an important turning point in his career and eventually earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1993.

Lowe’s early years show a clear path from a Midwestern childhood in Ohio to high school life in Southern California and, eventually, professional work in Hollywood. His early television appearances gave him the experience that helped shape his long career as an actor and later as a director.

Who Is Chad Lowe ?

Chad Lowe is an American actor and director who has worked in television and film since the 1980s. Born Charles Davis Lowe II on January 15, 1968, in Dayton, Ohio, he became known for roles in popular television dramas and later expanded his career into directing.

Lowe became widely recognized for playing Jesse McKenna on Life Goes On, a role that earned him the 1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He also appeared in Melrose Place, ER, 24, Pretty Little Liars and Supergirl, building a long-running television career.

Alongside acting, Chad Lowe has built a career as a television and film director. He has directed episodes of shows including Bones, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Pretty Little Liars and 9-1-1: Lone Star. His directing work has become another important part of his identity in the entertainment industry.

Chad Lowe’s Acting and Directing Career

Chad Lowe has built a long career in television and film as an actor and director. His work has included major TV roles, feature films and directing assignments across several well-known series.

Current Status

As of 2026, Chad Lowe remains active in the entertainment industry, with his recent work including television directing and production. He has continued to work behind the camera as well as build on his long acting career.

2026 Acting & Directing Work

In 2026, Lowe has been involved with 9-1-1: Nashville as a director. His directing credits for the series include episodes such as “Don Begins” and “Intrusive Thoughts.”

His recent career shows how his role in Hollywood has expanded beyond acting. After becoming known for performances in shows such as Life Goes On, ER, 24 and Pretty Little Liars, he developed a strong career directing television episodes as well.

Recent Projects

One of Lowe’s most recent television projects is 9-1-1: Nashville, where he has worked behind the camera. Current industry listings show four directing credits for the series across 2025 and 2026.

Career Achievement

Lowe’s career includes an important early achievement at the 1993 Primetime Emmy Awards, where he won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Life Goes On. His performance as Jesse McKenna remains one of the best-known roles of his acting career.

Current Role

Today, Chad Lowe’s professional work is centered mainly on acting, television directing and producing. His directing career includes episodes of Bones, Pretty Little Liars, Supergirl, The Flash, 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star and 9-1-1: Nashville.

Music Career

Chad Lowe is not primarily known as a singer or recording artist. His main entertainment career has been in acting, directing and producing, so music albums, music releases and record-label information are not central parts of his professional profile.

Chad Lowe Filmography

Chad Lowe has built a long career across television and film since the 1980s. His screen work includes early television movies, feature films and major TV series. He later added directing to his career, working on several well-known television shows.

Film

The film list includes some of Lowe’s best-known screen appearances, including Unfaithful and Entourage. IMDb also lists Unfaithful, Life Goes On and Beautiful Ohio among his notable credits.

Television

His television career includes the Emmy-winning Life Goes On, along with recurring and guest roles in ER, 24, Pretty Little Liars, Supergirl and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Directing Credits

Lowe moved into directing with The Audition in 2000 and later directed both television and film projects. His directing credits include Beautiful Ohio, Bones, Brothers & Sisters, Pretty Little Liars, The Flash, 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

In 2025–2026, Lowe was also credited as a director on 9-1-1: Nashville. IMDb lists four episodes during that period, making it one of his most recent directing credits.

Chad Lowe began his professional acting career in the 1980s, appearing in television movies and early screen projects. One of his first notable roles came in Silence of the Heart in 1984. He continued taking on television and film roles through the decade, including April Morning in 1988. These early projects gave him a strong start in the entertainment industry.

Breakthrough with Life Goes On

Lowe reached an important point in his career when he joined Life Goes On in 1991 as Jesse McKenna. He remained with the series through 1993. His performance brought him major recognition and earned him the 1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Television and Film Work

After Life Goes On, Lowe continued working across television and film. He took recurring roles in shows such as Melrose Place, ER, Now and Again and Popular. He also appeared in films including Unfaithful, Floating, Nobody’s Perfect and Quiet Days in Hollywood.

His television work later included 24, where he played Reed Pollock, and Pretty Little Liars, where he portrayed Byron Montgomery. He also appeared in Supergirl as Thomas Coville. These roles helped keep Lowe active across different types of television dramas.

Move Into Directing

Lowe gradually expanded his career behind the camera. In 2000, he made his directorial debut with the short film The Audition. He later directed the feature film Beautiful Ohio and began directing episodes of established television series. His directing credits include Bones, Brothers & Sisters, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Pretty Little Liars, Supergirl and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Recent Career and 2026 Work

Lowe has continued directing in recent years. His credits include 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star, while his more recent work includes 9-1-1: Nashville. IMDb and TVMaze list him as a director on four episodes of 9-1-1: Nashville during 2025–2026, including episodes that aired in 2026.

By 2026, Chad Lowe’s career had grown well beyond his early television acting work. His profile now includes decades of acting experience along with a substantial record as a television and film director.

Chad Lowe Current Career & 2026 Update

Chad Lowe Awards and Achievements

Chad Lowe Career Timeline

How is Chad Lowe related to Rob Lowe?

Chad Lowe is the younger brother of actor Rob Lowe. Both brothers have worked in Hollywood and built successful acting careers.

Who is Chad Lowe’s wife, Kim Painter?

Kim Painter is Chad Lowe’s wife. They married on August 28, 2010, after being together for several years. Kim and Chad have raised their family together.

How many children do Chad Lowe and Kim Painter have?

Chad Lowe and Kim Painter have three daughters: Mabel, Fiona, and Nixie. Their daughter Fiona died at age 13 in September 2026. The family asked for privacy after her death.

What is Chad Lowe best known for?

Chad Lowe is best known for playing Jesse McKenna on Life Goes On. The role brought him major attention and became one of the most important parts of his acting career.

Did Chad Lowe win an Emmy?

Yes. Chad Lowe won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1993 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He received the award for his role as Jesse McKenna on Life Goes On.

Chad Lowe Social Media Links

Frequently Asked Questions of Chad Lowe