ONE Tree Hill’s James Lafferty stripped off for an American Eagle advertisement campaign which were released in May.
The 38-year-old actor joked that he had to maintain a perfect image before he posed for the racy photos to promote active wear.
James posed on a basketball court for the photoshoot and took several action shots.
In one photo, he sat on a gym bench with huge weights behind him as if he was mid-workout.
He sat down on the bench and leaned forward towards the camera.
James was completely shirtless and exposed his toned abs and large arm muscles.
He donned a pair of American Eagle black boxers which cut short and showed off his muscly legs.
James appeared to be completely hairless in the photos, which he revealed was on purpose.
The star said he was initially nervous for the photos and asked for advice from photographer Sergio Garcia.
He said to focus on other factors as he was not an experienced model.
“So, go to the gym, eat right, shave in all the necessary places and hope for the best,” James joked to People.
The photos, which were widely shared on American Eagle’s social media, proved a hit with their followers.
“Let’s go Ravens! Catch @jameslafferty and the rest of the One Tree Hill cast play in the OTH Reunion Basketball game to support @thevfoundation for cancer research,” the post was captioned.
“You just blessed all of us millennial gals immensely,” wrote one fan in the comments section.
“Dude refuses to age,” added another.
“Thank you American Eagle,” praised a third.
“Iconic,” simply noted a fourth.
SHOCKED?
James said he did not expect the reaction he got.
“I was going into it because it felt like the pieces fit together and of course you’re always hoping that anything you do is going to be well received,” he told the publication.
James joined up with his former co-stars Bryan Greenberg, Stephen Colletti and Robbie Jones for a charity basketball game alongside the campaign.
It was held in Wilmington, North Carolina, where One Tree Hill was filmed and they hoped to raise awareness for the V Foundation.
The star was not able to get onto his social media after the photos dropped.
“When I left the game and was back at my hotel, I didn’t have any cell service or WiFi and I actually messed up the post,” James added.
HUGE MISTAKE
In his initial post, the star accidentally posted the same picture three times.
James said his wife of almost two years, Alexandra Park, thought the blunder was funny.
“[It led to] pretty hilarious phone calls with my wife and my manager,” he said.
“At the end of the day we were happy there was something to laugh at there.”
I was getting roasted a little bit and it was well deserved
James Lafferty
During the shoot, James was surrounded by his co-stars.
“I was getting roasted a little bit and it was well deserved,” James admitted.
“How can you not?” he finished.
Hilarie Burton, who played his on-screen sister-in-law reposted the photos on her social media.
“What in the thirst trap is this?!?!?! James!!!!!!! Good Lord. Put a warning on stuff like this,” she added.
One Tree Hill featured 187 episodes over nine seasons and finished in April 2012 due to low ratings.
The cast have remained close and often reunite in public.
