In Hollywood, a career free of scandals is a rarity, but Chad Michael Murray has managed to maintain a pristine reputation while navigating the ups and downs of show business. Known for his breakout role as Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill and a series of iconic millennial-era roles, Murray, 43, has built his career—and life—on the firm foundation of faith and family.

With three children under the age of 10 and a decade-long marriage to actress Sarah Roemer, the Merry Gentlemen star shared how his priorities keep him grounded in a world that often feels chaotic. “We put God and family first. That’s what we do in this family,” Murray explained in a recent interview while promoting a holiday partnership with Walmart.

For Murray, the guiding principle of his life has been simple: put God first. “You have to have a strong foundation to know that there’s a consequence for your action in life,” he said. “And with God, we’ve been able to really have that.”

Faith not only anchors his personal decisions but also steers him away from life’s potential pitfalls. “It helps keep you out of bad situations,” Murray shared. “By saying, ‘You know what, this probably is not a good idea. Let’s not go there.’ I don’t end up in places I shouldn’t be, and we make good decisions.”

Even in seemingly mundane moments, Murray looks to God’s love as a guide. He recounted an example of encountering someone in a foul mood and choosing to respond with kindness rather than frustration. “The simplest gesture can change someone’s day,” he said.

For the Murray family, unity is non-negotiable. Whether it’s filming a new project or traveling for work, the whole family goes together. “We travel everywhere together. I don’t spend a day apart,” he explained. “At the end of the day, none of this is worth doing if I don’t get to celebrate it with my family.”

This commitment to togetherness was something he and Roemer agreed upon early in their relationship. “When we got married, I told her, ‘Let’s do this the traditional way.’ If one of us is working, the other is home with the kids. We’re a team.”

Murray credits his wife’s strength and love for helping them live out their values. “She’s so good at being a mom. That is the hardest job in the world, period,” he said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way than to have them with me. This year, I even got to see my baby’s first steps while filming. Moments like that are priceless.”

In addition to acting, Murray recently stepped into a new role as part of Walmart’s Deals of Desire campaign. While it’s a departure from traditional acting gigs, he found joy in the experience and used it as another opportunity to showcase his love for family.

He also shared his excitement about his latest role in Netflix’s holiday movie, The Merry Gentlemen. While the film stretched his abilities—especially in dancing and choreography—he embraced the challenge. “It scared the garbage out of me, but I said, ‘Let’s go. Let’s do this,'” he said.

Even in this lighter, fun role, Murray’s focus remained on creating content he could be proud of. “We tread a fine line to make this a movie that feels good and can be enjoyed by families. I’m proud of that,” he said.

Through the ups and downs of Hollywood, Murray remains committed to walking in faith, spreading love, and putting family first. “We just love big, love strong, and try to live the way we feel we should—through love,” he said.