Chad Lowe has built a career in Hollywood that stretches across more than four decades. He first became widely known as an actor before expanding into television directing and film directing, creating several different sources of professional income along the way.
For 2026, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Chad Lowe’s fortune at approximately $4 million. That figure should be treated as an estimate rather than an audited statement because Lowe has not publicly released a complete accounting of his assets, investments, debts and income.
Lowe is best known for television roles in Life Goes On, Melrose Place, 24 and Pretty Little Liars, as well as film appearances including Unfaithful. He has also directed episodes of several major television programs and directed the feature film Beautiful Ohio.
Chad Lowe Net Worth in 2026
Chad Lowe’s estimated net worth in 2026 is $4 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The website identifies him as an actor, television director, film producer, voice actor and film director.
The $4 million figure is an estimate, not a publicly verified financial statement. Celebrity Net Worth itself explains that its figures are calculated from public sources and may incorporate other information, meaning readers should not interpret the number as an exact accounting of Lowe’s personal wealth.
Lowe’s long entertainment career helps explain why his estimated wealth has accumulated over many years. Unlike an actor whose income comes from a single successful franchise, his résumé includes acting, directing and producing work across television and film.
Latest Update: October 1, 2026
As of October 1, 2026, Chad Lowe remains known for his extensive acting and directing career, but his family has also experienced a major personal loss. His 13-year-old daughter Fiona died in September 2026, and Lowe’s family asked for privacy while remembering her.
This recent family event is separate from Lowe’s professional finances. It does not establish any change in his net worth, and there is no reliable public basis for assigning a new financial figure to him because of it.
Lowe and his wife, producer Kim Painter, have three daughters together. Recent reporting identifies them as Mabel, Fiona and Nixie.
Who Is Chad Lowe?
Chad Lowe is an American actor and director born Charles Conrad Lowe on January 15, 1968, in Dayton, Ohio. He is the younger brother of actor Rob Lowe and became a professional performer while still young.
His career began with acting roles in television movies and films during the 1980s. He later established himself as a television actor before moving increasingly into directing.
His most recognized acting credits include Jesse McKenna on Life Goes On, John Denver on Melrose Place, and Byron Montgomery on Pretty Little Liars. He also appeared in the film Unfaithful opposite Richard Gere and Diane Lane.
Early Life and Family
Chad Lowe was born in Dayton, Ohio, to Barbara and Charles Lowe. His father was a trial lawyer, while his mother worked as a teacher. His parents later divorced.
Lowe grew up alongside his older brother Rob Lowe, who also became a major Hollywood actor. The brothers both pursued acting careers, although Chad developed a professional path that eventually included substantial directing work.
His family background helped place him in an entertainment environment, but his career developed independently through acting roles and later through work behind the camera.
Acting Career
Lowe made his screen acting debut in the television movie Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac in 1984. He also appeared in Oxford Blues that same year alongside his brother Rob Lowe.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he appeared in films and television productions including Apprentice to Murder, True Blood, Nobody’s Perfect and Highway to Hell.
His major television breakthrough came with Life Goes On, where he played Jesse McKenna. The role earned him the 1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. The Television Academy confirms that Lowe won the award for his performance on the ABC series.
Chad Lowe and Pretty Little Liars
One of Lowe’s best-known later television roles was Byron Montgomery on Pretty Little Liars. Byron was the father of Aria Montgomery, one of the show’s central characters.
Lowe appeared throughout the popular ABC Family/Freeform drama, introducing him to a younger generation of television viewers. His work on the series became one of the most recognizable parts of his later acting career.
His other television credits include 24, Melrose Place and a number of television movies and guest appearances.
Film Career
Lowe’s film career includes a mixture of dramatic roles, independent productions and supporting performances. Among his better-known film credits is the 2002 drama Unfaithful, in which he played Bill Stone.
His filmography also includes Driven, Floating, Quiet Days in Hollywood, The Others, Red Betsy, California Scheming, Entourage and 7 Days to Vegas.
Although television became a major part of his career, Lowe continued to work in film while developing his skills as a director.
Directing Career
Chad Lowe began directing with the short film The Audition in 2000. He subsequently directed another short before moving into television directing.
His television directing résumé includes episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Hack, Bones, Pretty Little Liars, Rizzoli & Isles, Life in Pieces, Stitchers, American Housewife, Supergirl, The Flash and 9-1-1: Lone Star.
His feature-film directing debut came with Beautiful Ohio, a coming-of-age drama released in 2006. The movie starred Michelle Trachtenberg, William Hurt and Julianna Margulies.
Lowe’s move behind the camera created a second major professional track beyond acting and helped extend his career within television production.
Chad Lowe’s Emmy Award
One of the most significant achievements in Lowe’s acting career came in 1993, when he won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Life Goes On.
The Television Academy lists Lowe as a winner in that category for his performance as Jesse McKenna. Its official database records one Emmy win and one nomination for Lowe.
The award established Lowe as an acclaimed television performer at an early stage of his career and remains one of the clearest measures of his professional recognition.
Chad Lowe and Hilary Swank
Lowe met actress Hilary Swank while working on the film Quiet Days in Hollywood. The two married in September 1997.
Their marriage ended after several years. They announced their separation in January 2006, and their divorce was finalized in November 2007.
Both continued successful entertainment careers after their divorce. Swank went on to win two Academy Awards, while Lowe continued acting and expanded his directing career.
Wife Kim Painter and Children
Lowe began dating producer Kim Painter in 2007. The couple welcomed their first daughter in 2009 and married in August 2010. They later had two more daughters.
Recent reporting identifies the couple’s daughters as Mabel, Fiona and Nixie. Lowe has spoken publicly about fatherhood and described being a father as one of the greatest joys and privileges of his life.
In September 2026, the family announced the death of Fiona at age 13 and requested privacy during their grief.
Home and Family Losses
The Lowe family also experienced the destruction of their Los Angeles-area home during the January 2025 Pacific Palisades fires. Recent reporting described the family’s efforts to rebuild and support their children after the loss.
These events are part of Lowe’s recent personal history but should not be confused with information about his professional earnings or net worth.
Education
Public biographies of Chad Lowe focus primarily on his early acting career and family background rather than providing a detailed record of his formal education.
Reliable sources reviewed for this article do not provide enough information to construct a complete educational history, so specific school or college claims are not presented as confirmed here.
Height
Celebrity Net Worth lists Chad Lowe at approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall. Because height figures on entertainment databases can vary, this measurement should be treated as a published biographical estimate rather than a formally verified statistic.
Quick Facts: Chad Lowe
| Full Name | Charles Conrad Lowe |
|---|---|
| Professional Name | Chad Lowe |
| Date of Birth | January 15, 1968 |
| Age | 58 |
| Birthplace | Dayton, Ohio |
| Profession | Actor, director and producer |
| Estimated Net Worth | $4 million |
| Best Known For | Life Goes On, 24, Pretty Little Liars, Unfaithful |
| Emmy | 1993 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series |
| Feature Directing Debut | Beautiful Ohio |
| First Wife | Hilary Swank |
| Current Wife | Kim Painter |
| Children | Three daughters; Fiona died in 2026 |
| Brother | Rob Lowe |
Reader Questions
What is Chad Lowe’s net worth in 2026?
Chad Lowe’s estimated net worth is $4 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The figure is an estimate rather than a publicly audited financial statement.
How old is Chad Lowe?
Chad Lowe was born January 15, 1968, making him 58 years old as of October 1, 2026. He was born in Dayton, Ohio.
What is Chad Lowe famous for?
He is best known for acting roles in Life Goes On, Melrose Place, 24 and Pretty Little Liars. He is also an established television and film director.
Did Chad Lowe win an Emmy?
Yes. Lowe won the 1993 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Life Goes On. The Television Academy confirms the award.
Who is Chad Lowe married to?
Chad Lowe is married to producer Kim Painter. They married in 2010 after beginning their relationship in 2007.
How many children does Chad Lowe have?
Lowe and Kim Painter have three daughters: Mabel, Fiona and Nixie. Fiona died at age 13 in September 2026.
Was Chad Lowe married to Hilary Swank?
Yes. Lowe and Hilary Swank married in 1997 after meeting while working on Quiet Days in Hollywood. Their divorce was finalized in 2007.
What movies has Chad Lowe directed?
His feature directing debut was Beautiful Ohio, released in 2006. He has also directed numerous television episodes, including episodes of Pretty Little Liars, Bones, Supergirl and 9-1-1: Lone Star.
Who is Chad Lowe’s brother?
His older brother is actor Rob Lowe. The brothers appeared together in the 1984 film Oxford Blues.
What was Chad Lowe’s breakthrough role?
His role as Jesse McKenna on Life Goes On became one of his most important early television performances. The role earned him the 1993 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Wrap-Up
Chad Lowe’s estimated $4 million net worth reflects a long entertainment career rather than a single blockbuster role. Since the 1980s, he has worked as an actor and later developed a substantial career directing television and film.
His professional résumé includes an Emmy-winning performance on Life Goes On, appearances in films such as Unfaithful, and directing work across numerous television dramas and comedies. These multiple career paths help explain why his work has continued across several decades.
As of October 1, 2026, the $4 million figure remains an estimate rather than a verified financial statement. His current biography is also shaped by significant family events, including the September 2026 death of his daughter Fiona, for which the family has requested privacy.
