How Old Was Chad Michael Murray in Freaky Friday? Inside His 2003 Role and Behind-the-Scenes Stories

In 2003, Freaky Friday became a surprise comedy hit, pairing Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in a mother-daughter body-swap story that still holds a special place in pop culture. One of the movie’s most memorable elements? Chad Michael Murray’s effortlessly cool portrayal of Jake, the alt-rocking teen heartthrob who caught Anna Coleman’s (Lohan) attention. But how old was Chad Michael Murray when he filmed the movie — and what was it like stepping into that role?

The answer: Chad Michael Murray was 19 years old when he auditioned for and filmed Freaky Friday. At the time, he was already known to TV audiences for roles in Gilmore Girls and Dawson’s Creek, but this was one of his earliest big-screen appearances. Less than two months after the movie’s release, Murray would begin his six-season run as Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill, cementing his place as a 2000s teen icon.

How Old Was Chad Michael Murray in Freaky Friday?

Murray’s age during filming — just 19 — was a perfect match for Jake’s rebellious yet sincere character. As he revealed in a 2023 interview commemorating the film’s 20th anniversary, he brought both youthful confidence and a touch of personal style to the role, even keeping his own necklace and long hair at director Mark Waters’s request.

He beat out other young actors, including friend Jared Padalecki, for the part after a chemistry read with Lindsay Lohan at Disney. Director Waters later told him that Lohan’s genuine reaction during the audition convinced him Murray was the right choice.

Why Chad Michael Murray’s Jake Stood Out

Jake didn’t exist in the original Freaky Friday book or the earlier movie adaptations. Murray made him memorable by balancing swagger with vulnerability. He was nonchalant about most things — except when it came to the girls in his life.

Some standout behind-the-scenes facts Murray has shared include:

• He wasn’t allowed to actually ride the Ducati due to insurance restrictions — a stuntman handled the moving scenes.

• His long hair wasn’t planned; he was simply growing it out, and the director liked the look.

• The now-famous coffee shop scene with Jamie Lee Curtis singing Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” wasn’t in the original script. It was added the night before filming for a John Cusack Say Anything-style moment.

Behind the Scenes: The Kiss with Jamie Lee Curtis

One of the funniest moments from filming happened off-camera. Before Murray’s first on-screen kiss with Lindsay Lohan, Curtis playfully kissed him herself to show Lohan it was “no big deal” and help ease her nerves. For Murray, it became a surreal memory — especially since he grew up watching Curtis in Halloween and True Lies.

The Legacy of Freaky Friday

When the movie premiered in August 2003, Murray admits he didn’t immediately realize how successful it would become. Only later did he see that Disney had scored three massive hits that year — Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Nemo, and Freaky Friday.

Even now, two decades later, fans worldwide still recognize him as Jake — sometimes in the most unexpected places, like a grocery store in Thailand.

Will Chad Michael Murray Return for the Sequel?

Disney has announced a sequel, tentatively titled Freakier Friday. While production has been delayed due to industry strikes, Murray has said he would “absolutely” return if asked, imagining a storyline where Jake reconnects with the characters in a new era of family mayhem.

Two decades on, knowing that Chad Michael Murray was only 19 during Freaky Friday adds a new layer to the charm and authenticity he brought to Jake — a role that continues to define a slice of early 2000s teen cinema.

You Must Know:

Q1: How old was Chad Michael Murray in Freaky Friday?
He was 19 years old when he filmed the movie in 2003.

Q2: Who did Chad Michael Murray play in Freaky Friday?
He played Jake, the laid-back, music-loving love interest of Anna Coleman.

Q3: Did Chad Michael Murray ride the motorcycle in Freaky Friday?
No, insurance policies prevented him from riding; a stuntman handled those shots.

Q4: Was the Britney Spears song scene scripted?
No, director Mark Waters added it the night before filming for a spontaneous, romantic moment.

Q5: Will Chad Michael Murray be in Freaky Friday 2?
He has expressed interest in returning, though casting for the sequel has not yet been confirmed.