Chad Lowe's father, Chuck Lowe, has spoken publicly for the first time since the death of his granddaughter Fiona, paying a heartfelt tribute to the 13-year-old girl just days after her passing devastated the family.
Chuck, who worked as a trial lawyer throughout his life, took to Instagram to share a moving tribute to his son's middle child. Alongside a photograph of Fiona swimming in a pool and looking up at the camera, he wrote simply: "Rest in peace, sweet Fiona." The post was met with an outpouring of support, with followers offering messages such as "Praying for your family to find peace" and "Fly high sweet Fi."
A Family's Heartbreak
Chad Lowe and his wife, producer Kim Painter, announced the death of their daughter on Tuesday in an emotional statement released to Page Six and People. The couple — who also share daughters Mabel, 17, and Nixie, 10 — described the loss of their middle child in the most tender of terms.
"We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Fiona. She was a loving young girl who was smart, creative, and loved to dance. She was adored by her sisters, and she was deeply loved by her parents. In fact, she was the light of our lives."
The statement concluded with a plea for privacy — and a significant signpost for anyone who may be struggling. "Her passing is devastating for our entire family, and we ask for prayers and privacy at this time. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988."
A Proud Girl Dad
Chad Lowe, the Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his role in Life Goes On — for which he won in 1993 — and subsequent appearances in Pretty Little Liars and Supergirl, had spoken warmly about the experience of raising daughters in a previous appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast. His words carry a particular poignancy now.
"Having daughters is such an incredible privilege because it takes what I have known intellectually about women and all the equality and the glass ceiling that's there... and it's put it in my heart because I now have three daughters."
He reflected on watching the world shift towards greater empowerment of women, saying he had come to see life "really from their perspective" — a sentiment that speaks volumes about just how central his children were to his sense of purpose.
Eighteen Months of Hardship
The grief comes after an already bruising period for the Lowe family. The family lost their home in the Pacific Palisades fires in January 2025, a trauma Chad documented with characteristic openness on social media.
Writing on Instagram in February of that year, after his daughters were able to return and see what remained of their home, the 57-year-old reflected: "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."
Those words, written in the aftermath of one crisis, now resonate with a new and unbearable weight. Chad Lowe is the brother of fellow actor Rob Lowe.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit 988lifeline.org.
