Where Are the Stars of ‘One Tree Hill’ Today?
It’s been years since fans last wandered the halls of Tree Hill High, but the stars of One Tree Hill are still keeping busy.
From Hollywood films and hit TV shows to new projects and family life, the cast has grown up, evolved, and taken their careers in all kinds of directions. Here’s a look at where your favorite characters are now.
1. Sophia Bush
She became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces after One Tree Hill. She transitioned from small-town drama to big-city crime shows, starring as detective Erin Lindsay across the Chicago P.D. franchise.
She also appeared in Good Sam, Love, Victor, and Deborah. Off-screen, Bush is an activist and outspoken about her experiences, including speaking out on harassment in the industry. She is currently in a relationship with soccer player Ashlyn Harris.
2. Chad Michael Murray
He left the show after six seasons but returned for the finale. During and after One Tree Hill, he appeared in films like A Cinderella Story, House of Wax, and Freakier Friday, and TV shows including Agent Carter, Riverdale, and Sullivan’s Crossing. Off-screen, Murray married Sarah Roemer in 2014, and they have three children.
3. Hilarie Burton
Burton moved from MTV VJ to the artsy, music-loving cheerleader everyone adored. After leaving the show, she acted in The Secret Life of Bees, Grey’s Anatomy, White Collar, Lethal Weapon, Extant, and The Walking Dead. She co-hosts the Drama Queens podcast with Bush and Lenz, revisiting One Tree Hill episodes. She is married to Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and they live on a farm in New York with their two children.
4. Bethany Joy Lenz
She played the emotional core of Tree Hill. After One Tree Hill, she balanced acting and music, appearing in Dexter, Grey’s Anatomy, and Good Sam. She remains a proud mom to her daughter Rosie.
5. Austin Nichols
Austin Nichols, known for his role as Julian Baker on One Tree Hill, had already made a name for himself before joining the show, with appearances in Six Feet Under, Pasadena, and movies like The Day After Tomorrow, Wimbledon, and Glory Road.
After his time on One Tree Hill, he moved into more intense roles, including parts in The Mob Doctor, Ray Donovan, Bates Motel, and as Spencer Monroe in The Walking Dead. Lately, Nichols has stayed active in both TV and film, appearing in Minx, Walker, and movies like The Six Triple Eight, Due West, and the remake of I Know What You Did Last Summer, keeping his career steady and varied.
6. James Lafferty
Lafferty evolved from high school jock to devoted husband on-screen. After the show, he acted in Oculus, Small Town Crime, Crisis, Underground, and The Haunting of Hill House. He co-created the comedy Everyone Is Doing Great with co-star Stephen Colletti. Lafferty married Alexandra Park in 2022.
7. Paul Johansson
He was the iconic villain dad on One Tree Hill. Before and after the show, he appeared in Beverly Hills, 90210, Santa Barbara, John Q, Mad Men, Van Helsing, and the Detective Knight films. Off-screen, he is a devoted father to his son Quinn.
8. Barbara Alyn Woods
Woods portrayed Nathan’s sharp-tongued, chaotic mother. Before Tree Hill, she had roles in Eden, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, and Seinfeld. Recently, she appeared in Chucky alongside her daughter Alyvia Alyn Lind. Her other daughters, Natalie and Emily, are also actors.
9. Barry Corbin
He brought wisdom, sarcasm, and heart to the series. Already a TV veteran from WarGames, Northern Exposure, and The Thorn Birds, he continued acting in Anger Management, Modern Family, Better Call Saul, Yellowstone, and Killers of the Flower Moon. Corbin is also a real-life cowboy and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
10. Antwon Tanner
Tanner was the effortlessly cool friend everyone loved. Before Tree Hill, he appeared in Coach Carter and other TV roles. Afterward, he acted in indie films like The Dempsey Sisters and Fade Away, the comedy Black Jesus, and the 2020 holiday film A Christmas Wish. His most recent role was in the 2023 movie Packz.
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