Okay, let’s be honest for a moment – there’s a small part of most women of a certain age that still freaks out a tiny little bit when they see Chad Michael Murray. Whether you loved preppy CMM as Tristan DuGray on Gilmore Girls, or you were team Lucas when he was the basketball superstar on One Tree Hill, or you preferred one of his movie gigs, such as his role as the dreamy love interest in A Cinderella Story. A few years back, CMM dominated the teen market and drove girls everywhere crazy.

So, it is with great happiness that we bring this little tidbit of news to your attention – Chad Michael Murray is writing a romance novel. Yes, we’re totally serious. The star of your teenage fantasies is penning a book with the help of writer Heather Graham. According to Murray, the book was inspired by a dream that he had (much like Stephenie Meyer’s inspiration for the Twilight series). It’s supposed to be released in about a year – it’s slated for November 2017 – and we’re already pretty darn excited. The minute that book goes on pre-sale, you know hordes of women will be scooping it up.

So, in honour of his steamy upcoming book, we’ve gathered 18 of the hottest pictures of Chad Michael Murray, from bad boy CMM to polished, suave gentlemanly CMM. You are so very welcome.

18 Team Tristan

When it comes to Gilmore Girls, Rory had several big love interests and fans of the show loved to pick favourites. Some were fans of her first love, the floppy-haired Dean; others preferred literary bad boy Jess. Others preferred Rory’s high roller love interest, Logan Huntzberger. However, there was one almost romance that intrigued many fans – with privileged bad boy Tristan DuGray. While the most that happened was a kiss and a few charged looks in the hallways, there was just something about Tristan. If you’ve seen Chad Michael Murray in anything since Gilmore Girls, you’ll be kind of surprised at just how young he looks in this shot from the earlier seasons of the show, but that just proves an excellent point – like a fine wine, CMM just seems to get better with age. Although the way he rocks that private school uniform is a great foreshadowing to just how phenomenal he’ll look all dressed up in a suit on the red carpet in future years.

17 Clean Cut Cutie

As his career advanced, Chad Michael Murray’s look changed quite a bit. In some films and the later parts of One Tree Hill, he rocked longer hair and a more rock star vibe, while in other roles he had a buzz cut and a more athletic vibe. However, there’s no doubting that a clean cut Chad Michael Murray is totally sexy. In this shot from A Cinderella Story, Murray is sporting the classic somewhat spiked early 00s hair that all hot guys in movies had, and wearing a crew neck sweater that just makes you want to cuddle with him. Not to mention those crazy blue-gray eyes. I mean, looking back at photos of him in his younger years, you can definitely see exactly why your teenage self was somewhat obsessed with him. I mean look at him – he’s totally gorgeous. Hilary Duff’s character in that movie was one lucky lady.

16 Smouldering CMM

Okay, if the bad boy Chad Michael Murray is more your vibe, this is definitely the picture you’ll like the most. The hair, so carefully yet seemingly casually tousled. The look, so smouldering and sexy. The leather jacket, so worn and perfect. The eyes, so piercing. And, of course, you can’t forget the stubble. In his younger roles playing high school students, Chad Michael Murray was usually clean shaven and clean-cut. However, in many of his later roles, he proved that he’d definitely entered man-dom by rocking super sexy stubble. While many women are divided on whether they like full on facial hair, like a thick beard, it’s nearly universally agreed that the five o’clock shadow, or scattering of stubble, is without doubt sexy. This is a Chad Michael Murray who would take you on a date on his motorcycle and bring you to a super fun dive bar – and you’d love every minute of it.

15 Shirtless CMM

I mean, let’s be serious – this is probably the most early ‘00s heartthrob picture you could possible find. Exhibit A – the leather cuff on his wrist, beloved accessory of bad boys at the time. Exhibit B – the necklace with the black cord, also a favourite of heartthrobs on the small screen. Exhibit C – the board shorts. While we’re pretty sure CMM never played a bad boy surfer in a movie, this could very well be a behind the scene shot of a surf movie where he played the bad boy competitors with a secret heart of gold. Sure, modern day Chad Michael Murray is great, but there’s just something about early ‘00s CMM that so many women around the world loved. I mean, even if you didn’t have this exact poster on your teenage bedroom wall, chances are you had one of CMM smouldering in a similar pose – it was one of his go tos.

14 Business Babe

Alright, is the early ‘00s CMM not really your jam? Not to worry – there’s a Chad Michael Murray for every taste, including those who love their men all cleaned up. Most of CMM’s roles that we remember him for were playing high school students, so he didn’t get much of a chance to dress up. However, as he ages from a teenage heartthrob to a handsome older actor, he’s gotten more diverse options both in his roles on screen and in his photoshoots off screen – just take this shot for example. Instead of rocking board shorts or athletic gear, he’s looking unbelievably gorgeous in a perfectly tailored jacket paired with stunning pants and all the right accessories – the skinny tie, the slight hint of pattern on the shirt, the pocket square, the watch. I mean, it just proves that he’s as sexy when he’s all dressed up as when he’s a bit grungier in a tee and ripped jeans.

13 All Dressed Up

Chad Michael Murray is one of those unique guys that somehow looks just as good all sweaty in basketball gear as he does when he’s all cleaned up for a photo shoot or red carpet appearance – just take this shot, for example. He’s rocking an oh-so-early 2000s loose dress shirt with a pair of great grey pants and a belt that makes him look like he’s definitely an adult, not a teen grappling with high school drama on the high school basketball courts. Even if blonde guys aren’t really your thing, you’ve got to admit that this is a pretty swoon-worthy shot – I mean, who doesn’t want a guy like that standing at the front door ready to sweep you off your feet on a fabulous date? It’s easy to see why he’s had so many high profile relationships over the years – who can resist that face and confident stance?

12 Hipster CMM

There are many fans who love the classic Chad Michael Murray, the one audiences first met in his various high school film roles – clean cut, blonde, athletic, and baby-faced. However, like a fine wine, Chad Michael Murray has only gotten better as he’s aged – just take this photo as definitive proof. He’s rocking a far more alternative look in that cap and button down shirt/vest combo, posing for a photoshoot in a movie theatre – and looking pretty amazing doing it. In fact, this photo definitely proves he’d do just as well in an indie flick as in the primetime television shows and blockbuster films he’s been starring in. Although, let’s be honest, there are a ton of men who could potentially be watching a movie from the audience, but only one Chad Michael Murray – so what are you doing CMM? Get back behind that camera to thrill women for years to come in your films!

11 Smiling CMM

Okay, it’s kind of impossible not to find Chad Michael Murray a little bit endearing in this photo. Sure, the outfit itself has that whole bad boy vibe going on, with the worn jeans, leather jacket, basic white tee (closet staple of bad boys everywhere) and tousled hair. However, that little smile, the slightly crinkled eyes? Forget about it. This is the reason that so many women around the world, at one point, had a little bit of a thing for Chad Michael Murray. Sure, some of it had to do with the characters he played, but a whole lot of it had to do with the combination of sex appeal and boyish charm that he rocked. At some point, every woman of a certain age kind of wished she would stumble across Chad Michael Murray leaning like this at some store in your city – although you’d probably be too nervous to actually approach him.

10 Scruffy CMM

Just not a fan of the artfully tousled blonde hair that Chad Michael Murray sported for many years through the height of his fame? Not to worry – as we said before, there’s a perfect Chad Michael Murray for every taste, and you won’t be left out. If you’re more into the whole scruffy look, this iteration of Chad Michael Murray might be your dream. The slightly grown out buzz cut looks phenomenal on him, the scruff is the perfect length, the eyes are piercing as always, the outfit is simple yet sexy – who wouldn’t want this man on their red carpet? While he might not be quite the same caliber as some of the big A-List stars who command millions per movie, there’s no doubt that he definitely knows how to serve up star power on the red carpet. Give this man an Oscar! Or give him a meatier role that allows us to both oogle him and comment on his range as an actor.

9 Artsy CMM

One of Chad Michael Murray’s most well-known roles, that of Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill, portrayed him as an athlete – and it’s a role he’s never quite been able to shake over the years. Perhaps it’s because his all-American good looks and athletic physique made him the perfect choice for the dreamy quarterback or basketball star. However, if you’ve always dreamt of a more artsy Chad Michael Murray, one who would be smudging pastels and sculpting something out of clay rather than catching a pass on the court, have we ever got the photo for you. In this shot, Chad Michael Murray is your artsy dream crush – the beanie with the long hair hidden underneath, the snug-fitting turtleneck, the scruffy facial hair with just a touch of grey. This is, without question, a CMM that would be able to paint you like one of his French girls. Who needs Leo?

8 Bad Boy CMM

Oh, man – ladies who love a bad boy interpretation of the normally fairly clean cut Chad Michael Murray might want to make sure they have no existing heart conditions before checking this picture out, because it’s quite the shot. Sure, the credits on the bottom left give away that it was a photoshoot styled for a magazine, and not just a candid of CMM out on his daily errands – but that doesn’t make it any less sexy. The artfully tousled hair, gently swooping over one eye like he’s too busy getting up to trouble to bother tossing his hair off his face. The leather jacket that you kind of want to steal. The casual stance, hanging out by a car with a cigarette in his hand. I mean – what’s not to love? Could we perhaps get a less terrifying, more sexy version of the recent blockbuster hit entitled Boy on the Train? Women everywhere would watch that, no question.

7 Lucas Scott, Resident Dreamboat

Okay, if Lucas Scott was your definitive teenage crush, this is just yet another shot for your viewing pleasure. I mean, part of the reason that Chad Michael Murray was so great in that role is that he was kind of like a regular guy. While the male lead in teen dramas nowadays is likely always wearing designer gear and driving around Beverly Hills in his fancy car, Lucas Scott was a guy you might actually know. He wore hoodies, he rocked the one-shoulder bag like all the cool guys did, he was handsome but not intimidatingly so, his hair was always a little bit messy and he looked like he either just got out of bed or just got out of practice. I mean, what’s not to love? If you don’t like Lucas Scott, then you need to re-watch the whole series because he certainly had his fair share of fans.

6 Chad Michael Married

Ever wondered what Chad Michael Murray would look like all dressed up with a boutonniere pinned to his lapel? Well, now you don’t have to wonder. This version of CMM is a combination of his many looks – he’s rocking the classic tousled hairstyle, but he’s also got a bit of scruff rather than being totally baby faced. The navy suit and white shirt aren’t exactly revolutionary, but hey – when you look this good wearing the basics, why on earth would you go for a crazy outfit? This is a Chad Michael Murray you would be more than happy to walk down the aisle to meet, right? Admit it – in the height of your CMM obsession when you were younger, you thought about what it would be like to be Mrs. Murray. Hey, we’re not here to judge – we’re just here to share pictures of Chad Michael Murray looking hot for your viewing pleasure.

5 Black and White CMM

Okay, uh… do we really need to elaborate on why this picture is super sexy? You might think that his blonde hair and pale eyes would make him look a little washed out in a black and white photo, or that a baseball cap doesn’t exactly scream sexy, but you’d be wrong in both cases. I mean, just feast your eyes on this A+ man. The scruff is perfection, the open chest shows off just enough of the goods, his grip on his suspenders just draws your attention to the gun show he’s showing off, and the look on his face is basically the definition of smouldering. We’re not sure who was responsible for this photoshoot, but the end product is definitely incredible, so thank you, whoever you are, for bringing this shot of CMM into our lives. Perhaps he can use it as a headshot for his next role, auditioning for a bad boy from the country who works the farm in his baseball cap.

4 Shirtless CMM, Take 2

If shirtless teen heartthrob Chad Michael Murray is just a bit too young and clean cut for you, this might be more your taste. He’s swapped out the high school board shorts for worn jeans with just a hint of briefs poking out (sexy), and swapped the tousled blonde hair style for a straight up buzz cut that definitely adds an element of toughness. Add the toned physique and scruff to the equation and you’ve definitely got yourself a crazy sexy CMM. I mean, why on earth hasn’t been cast in more films where he needs to spend the majority of his screen time with his shirt off? The women of the world want to know. Perhaps his next role can be the male version of Reese Witherspoon’s trek in Wild, except, you know, constantly shirtless as he navigates his way through the wilderness and finds himself out in nature.

3 '00s CMM

Okay, even if you’re not a Chad Michael Murray fan, we can almost guarantee you had a picture of some celebrity in this pose on your bedroom wall when you were a teenager. We’re not sure who on earth was telling everyone to pose like this, but countless 00s heartthrobs rocked the lean and smoulder pose – Chad Michael Murray included. While some photo shoots have him styled to perfection and groomed until he looks like he could easily be a model, this shot just shows off his natural looks – in a good way. The simple long-sleeved tee is nothing crazy, his hair looks like it barely has product in it, and his eyes almost perfectly match the tee in the light. There’s not a lot going on in this shot, but sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest. Can we maybe get a photo series of Chad Michael Murray leaning against stuff and looking sexy? That’d be great.

2 Basketball Star

There’s a reason that Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill is one of Chad Michael Murray’s most memorable roles. Yes, part of it has to do with the fact that the show lasted for several seasons, and audiences got to watch him progress through his teenage years and adulthood right on screen. However, some of it also has to do with the way CMM portrayed the character. He was a confident jock, yet he was also kind of vulnerable. He had no problem with the ladies, but he also was very clearly a one woman man. He was a jock, but he also loved to read and eventually penned a book. There was just something about Lucas Scott – and this picture kind of sums it all up. The basketball uniform is adorable, first of all. The look on his face is the perfect combination of sexy and endearingly vulnerable. The hair, tousled, as always. I mean, what’s not to love?

1 Red Hot on the Red Carpet

If you like your men to look more like they just stepped out of the board room, then this is the perfect version of Chad Michael Murray for you. Sure, he’s worn a nice sport coat or dress pants in countless photo shoots or media appearances before, but there’s just something about the full suit look. The vest, the jacket, the pants, all in a shade of charcoal that perfectly complements his blonde hair and blue eyes – what’s not to love? You would think that the CMT awards would be a place to rock a bit of a scruffy look – after all, you want your cowboy hat to take center stage – but Chad Michael Murray apparently decided it would be the perfect spot to rock a three piece suit. Hey, when you look that good, who can argue with your logic? This shot proves that he’s definitely ready to move away from his former teen roles and start tackling meatier characters.

Sources: elitedaily.com

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