Sarah Roemer Bio
Sarah Christine Roemer (born August 28, 1984) is an American actress and former model whose career spans independent cinema, mainstream thrillers, and prime-time television. She first drew widespread attention for her supporting role opposite Shia LaBeouf in the 2007 Paramount Pictures thriller Disturbia, and she has since built a versatile resume across horror, drama, and comedy. Roemer is also recognized for performances in films such as Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, Fired Up!, and Waking Madison, as well as the NBC series The Event and the thriller Chosen.
Born in San Diego, California, Roemer began her professional life in modeling during her teens before transitioning to acting in the mid-2000s. She later married actor Chad Michael Murray in 2015, with whom she shares three children. Her work across genre film and network television has cemented her reputation as a steady presence in American screen entertainment.
Early Life and Background
Sarah Christine Roemer was born on August 28, 1984, in San Diego, California. She grew up in the San Diego area and attended Horizon Junior and Senior High School. During her teenage years she was recruited by a modeling agency while visiting a 7-Eleven, an encounter that redirected her early ambitions toward the fashion industry.
Encouraged by the recruitment, Roemer relocated to Los Angeles to begin her modeling career. She signed with ID Model Management in New York City, and during this period she appeared in editorial work for publications including GQ, Cosmopolitan, Maxim, Esquire, Nylon Guys, Self, Interview, and Flaunt. She was also featured on the cover of Sportswear International for the magazine’s summer 2004 issue.
Path to Acting
After establishing herself in modeling, Roemer turned her focus toward acting in 2006. Her screen debut came in the indie film Wristcutters: A Love Story, marking her first step into the world of cinema. That same year she appeared in the horror sequel The Grudge 2, portraying Lacey Kimble, a high school student and young cheerleader. The film was released on October 13, 2006, and although it drew negative critical reviews, it performed well at the box office.
These early projects allowed Roemer to gain on-set experience and to work alongside established actors, helping her transition from print work into the broader film industry. By 2007, she had secured a supporting role in a major studio production, signaling her arrival in Hollywood.
Sarah Roemer Career
Early Career (2006–2007)
Roemer’s earliest film work included the 2006 horror release The Grudge 2 and the indie project Wristcutters: A Love Story. These roles introduced her to feature filmmaking and helped her build a résumé ahead of her breakout year.
In 2007, Roemer starred alongside Shia LaBeouf in the Paramount Pictures thriller Disturbia, portraying Ashley Carlson, the love interest and neighbor of LaBeouf’s character. Released on April 13, 2007, the film opened to positive critical reception and debuted at number one at the box office in its first week. It went on to gross $117.8 million against a $20 million budget. She also appeared alongside Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, and Virginia Madsen in the Kate Hudson-directed short film Cutlass.
Breakthrough (2008–2011)
Following her success in Disturbia, Roemer took on a steady stream of film and television projects. In 2008, she starred alongside Travis Van Winkle and Ellen Hollman in Asylum, a David Ellis-directed film released straight to DVD on July 15, 2008. The following year she appeared in the teen comedy Fired Up and in the independent drama Falling Up, both released in 2009.
That same year, Roemer portrayed Andy Wilson, the daughter of Richard Gere’s character Parker Wilson, in the American drama Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, an adaptation of the 1987 Japanese film Hachikō Monogatari. In 2010, she expanded into producing, serving as an associate producer on the thriller Locked In while portraying Emma Sawyer, and she played the central character Madison Walker in the independent drama Waking Madison. Later in 2010, she joined the NBC drama series The Event as Leila Buchanan; the series concluded on May 13, 2011.
Notable Works and Milestones
Roemer’s signature work remains her supporting role in Disturbia, which established her as a recognizable face in mainstream thrillers. Her performance in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale further showcased her range in dramatic roles, while her turn in Waking Madison highlighted her willingness to anchor independent projects. Across film and television, she has balanced studio releases with smaller productions, demonstrating consistent work since 2006.
Sarah Roemer Family
Sarah Christine Roemer was raised in San Diego, California, where she attended Horizon Junior and Senior High School. She began her professional life in modeling before moving into acting, a path shaped largely by her own ambition rather than a family background in entertainment.
Personal Life
Roemer began dating her Chosen co-star Chad Michael Murray in 2014, and in January 2015 it was announced that the two had married. The couple share three children: a son born in 2015, a daughter born in 2017, and a second daughter born in 2023.