Chad Lowe's 'Girl Dad' Reflections Emerge After Daughter's Death at 13
The actor previously spoke of the profound privilege of raising three daughters, two years before the tragic loss of Fiona.
Actor Chad Lowe's heartfelt reflections on being a "girl dad" have resurfaced following the tragic death of his 13-year-old daughter, Fiona. Her family confirmed the devastating news, noting that Fiona passed away on Tuesday. They have directed individuals struggling with mental health to reach out to the suicide prevention helpline.
Lowe, 58, shared Fiona with his wife, producer Kim Painter, 52. The couple also have two other daughters, Mabel, 17, and Nixie, 10. In a 2024 interview on the Still Here Hollywood podcast, Lowe described being a father to three daughters as an "incredible privilege."
"I feel like having daughters is such an incredible privilege," Lowe said at the time. "I know that there are struggles. And now it’s taken what I’ve known intellectually, and it’s put it in my heart because I now have three daughters. And so, I look at the world from really their perspective and I see the world and a lot of the injustices in the world from their perspective."
He added that he observed societal changes and a growing consciousness regarding the role of women, expressing a belief that the world might be more peaceful if women were in charge of nations. "We may, who knows, have the first female president," he mused. "We’re really empowering women and seeing how much women have to offer."
In their statement confirming Fiona's death, the Lowe family described her as "the light of our lives." They added, "She was adored by her sisters and she was deeply loved by her parents." The statement concluded with a plea for prayers and privacy, and reiterated the resources for mental health support, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Law enforcement sources indicated that Fiona died at her home on Tuesday. Parents at her school reportedly received an email from the principal informing them of a student's death, without specifying who it was. The message offered condolences and informed the school community that counselors were available for support.
Lowe's social media features numerous photos of his daughters. In November, he celebrated Fiona's birthday, sharing a picture of her and writing, "Keep dancing through life FiBear! Love you soooo much!!" He also shared a photo of his three daughters in February of the previous year, after they had evacuated their home due to the Palisades fire. He noted their resilience in the face of devastation.
"Almost a month after we evacuated our girls finally got to go back to see what's left of their home," he wrote. "The way they’ve handled this whole devastating experience is nothing short of remarkable. I am in awe of their spirit and resilience. Helping them navigate these tough times is my sole purpose. Being their dad is my life’s greatest joy and privilege."
In January, Lowe spoke of the "despair" he experienced after losing his home in the fires, calling it a "completely preventable catastrophe." He expressed that the loss remained "deeply painful," but acknowledged that the experience was a "powerful reminder" of the ability to control one's response to adversity. He lauded his wife and daughters for their resilience and expressed gratitude for the support received from friends and community members, which provided comfort and strength.
Lowe, an Emmy Award winner, is known for his roles in "Life Goes On," "Melrose Place," "ER," and "24." He married Kim Painter in 2010, following a previous marriage to Hilary Swank from 1997 to 2007. Their daughters were born in 2009 (Mabel), 2012 (Fiona), and 2016 (Nixie).