Chad Lowe on Hilary: 'She Was the Love of My Life'

Chad Lowe and Oscar winner Hilary Swank were once considered Hollywood's golden couple.

But in Hollywood, tides of change can happen in the blink of an eye, and now for the first time since their painful split, Chad is finally speaking out, only to “Extra.”

Lowe, who just joined the cast of the Emmy winning show, “24,” is setting the record straight about his relationship with Hilary and the rumors of substance abuse.

“It has been a tough year and not something I expected,” Lowe admitted. “It's very humbling.”

One of the most humbling moments came this summer when his ex-wife divulged to Vanity Fair some of Chad's most private struggles with substance abuse.

Now Chad is setting the record straight about that retched, yet truthful, story.

“I was disappointed that the details of our relationship became public fodder, because I think they were very personal,” Lowe said, adding, “They are absolutely true. I've been sober for three and half years and am very grateful for that.

“The one thing I do want to set straight is that I am so grateful to Hilary for her support of me in a very difficult time in my life three and a half years ago,” Chad continued. “What hurt me more than anything is that people would think she wasn't there for me; and she was.”

Despite the divorce, Chad also dished to “Extra” that his bond with Hilary is unbreakable.

“She was the love of my life and that's not something you just shut off. I will always love her,” Chad admitted.

But is reconciliation a possibility for the future?

“Not in a marital sense; I'm very happy with my life where it is now,” Chad said.

“Extra” tagged along with Chad, whose career is now better than ever; he just premiered his feature film and directorial debut, “Beautiful Ohio.”

“It was one of the greatest experiences of my life, really just a calling,” Lowe explained.

Chad is also thrilled about clocking in opposite Kiefer Sutherland on the hit show, “24.”

“It really keeps an audience on the edge of their seat, this show, and I'll tell you, as an actor, it keeps you on the edge of your seat,” Chad acknowledged.

Lowe is jumping onboard the hit show as savvy White House Chief of Staff, Reed Pollock. But how long will his gig play out?

“I don't know. I think one of the things that is so great about this show is that nobody is safe,” he said.

And speaking of safe, Chad said it will be awhile until he feels safe once again in his personal life.

But with that being said, he's open to finding true love again down the road.