Laughter Keeps Murray's Relationship Strong

• Aug 5, 2008 09:35 PM ET
• by TV Guide News

Chad Michael Murray's relationship with Kenzie Dalton is anything but serious - and that's a good thing.

The One Tree Hill star has been dating the 20-year-old former beauty queen for three years, and the two are keeping it hot by bringing the funny.

"I have a really, really great girl in my life right now," Murray told reporters during Sunday's 2008 Teen Choice Awards taping. "And it's not that she's just pretty. She's my buddy. She's my best friend and she supports me, and she makes me laugh."

The giggle fits are a novelty for the 26-year-old, who admitted that he has never "actually had a girl who's made me laugh before. So to all the girls out there who think being funny is not sexy, you are wrong!"

Engaged since the spring of 2006, Murray and Dalton, a Miss North Carolina Teen USA first runner-up, started dating in December 2005. The actor was previously married for five months, from April to September 2005, to Hill costar Sophia Bush, who sought to annul their union on grounds of fraud. The two were divorced in December 2006.

While his relationship with Bush was dissected under the media microscope, the same can't be said of his current love-in with Dalton.

Part of the secret to his relationship success, Murray said, is that he doesn't live in Hollywood. Even more important? "Just finding someone who's your best friend," he said. "[My girlfriend] makes me laugh and we never get bored. We'll drive in the car and be goofballs together and I enjoy that."

How would he feel about another trip down the aisle? "I would like to be married some day," Murray confided. "I'm really looking forward to it." - Anna Dimond