Chad Lowe spoke about the pride he felt in being a “girl dad” two years before his daughter Fiona died at the age of 13.
Fiona’s family confirmed the devastating news to Page Six, revealing that the Life Goes On star, 58, lost his teenage daughter on Tuesday, while directing anyone struggling with mental health to reach out to the suicide prevention helpline.
The actor shared Fiona with his wife, producer Kim Painter, 52. The couple are also parents to daughters Mabel, 17, and Nixie, ten.
Lowe, the younger brother of Hollywood star Rob Lowe, called being a father to three daughters an ‘incredible privilege’ in a candid 2024 interview on Still Here Hollywood podcast.
“I’m a girl dad. It’s so interesting because [I’m] always wanting to have my own experiences and not live in the shadow or follow in the footsteps of somebody. I get the experience of being a girl dad. I feel like having daughters is such an incredible privilege,” Lowe said.
“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.”
Chad Lowe discussed the pride he took in being a “girl dad” two years before Fiona’s death at 13. The actor is pictured in 2022.
In a statement confirming Fiona’s death on Tuesday, the Lowes described her as “the light of our lives” and said she was “adored by her sisters” and “deeply loved by her parents.”
Lowe is the younger brother of Parks and Recreation star and Brat Pack member Rob Lowe, 62. The siblings are pictured in the 1980s.
“It’s not all doom and gloom. Society is changing. I see how we’re really becoming conscious of the role of women. We may, who knows, have the first female president,” he added.
“[We’re] really empowering women and seeing how much women have to offer. I personally think that if women were in charge of nations, we’d be a lot more peaceful.”
The family’s statement announcing Fiona’s death said: “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.”
“Her passing is devastating for our entire family and we ask for prayers and privacy at this time,” the statement continued.
The family concluded: “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.”
Our News Outlet contacted Lowe’s representative for comment.
Lowe shared Fiona with his wife, Kim Painter. The couple also have daughters Mabel, 17, and Nixie, ten.
During a candid 2024 appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast, Lowe described fatherhood to three daughters as an “incredible privilege.”
Lowe spoke about fatherhood with host Steve Kmetko.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Fiona died at home on Tuesday, with authorities called to the property at 12:10 a.m.
According to Page Six, parents at Fiona’s school received an email from the principal on Tuesday informing them that a student had died. The message did not identify the student.
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The email expressed condolences to the student’s family and said that “counselors are available to meet with students and staff who may need emotional support during this difficult time.”
Lowe’s Instagram account features numerous affectionate photos of his three daughters. The devoted father last paid tribute to Fiona in November, marking her birthday with a photo of her smiling in cowboy boots.
‘Celebrating Fiona officially becoming a teen today!!’ the Emmy winner wrote. ‘Keep dancing through life FiBear! Love you soooo much!!’
The actor also shared a photo of all three of his daughters in February last year, showing them visiting the ruins of their childhood home in Los Angeles, following the devastating Palisades fire.
The girls were seen with their arms around each other as they looked on at the ruins.
‘Almost a month after we evacuated our girls finally got to go back to see what’s left of their home,’ he wrote in the caption.
‘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.’
Lowe received messages of support from actress Marlee Matlin, a close frinds of 40 years, and also from Cary Elwes, his co-star in the 1984 movie Oxford Blues
‘Her passing is devastating for our entire family,’ the family said, while directing anyone struggling with mental health to reach out to the suicide prevention helpline
In January, the actor wrote about the ‘despair’ he felt after losing his home in the fires.
‘One year ago today, our lives got turned upside down by a completely preventable catastrophe. It’s hard not to let the anger, despair, and frustration overwhelm. Losing everything I ever owned and the home we raised our family in is still deeply painful to this day,’ he shared on Instagram.
‘However, this terrible experience has been a powerful reminder of this simple truth – we can’t always control what happens to us in this life but we can control how we respond. And I have been so incredibly proud of how my wife Kim and our daughters have strived to make the absolute best of this extraordinarily difficult circumstance. I am in awe of their resilience.’
He added: ‘Also, we are buoyed by the outpouring of support, assistance, and well wishes from so many people in our lives. The way people have responded has given us great comfort, hope and strength to rebuild our lives. Thank you one and all!’
Lowe has been married to Painter since 2010, following his previous marriage to Oscar-winner Hilary Swank from 1997 to 2007.
He and Painter welcomed their first daughter, Mabel, in 2009. Mabel was followed by Fiona, who was born in November 2012. Their third daughter, Nixie, was born in 2016.
Lowe won an Emmy Award in 1993 for his supporting role on the comedy-drama series Life Goes On, where he starred as a man living with HIV.
He has also appeared on shows like Melrose Place, ER, 24, Pretty Little Liars and Now and Again.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org
