Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe
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Name	Rob Lowe
Caption	Lowe in 2019
Birth date	17 March 1964
Birth place	Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, director, producer
Years active	1979–present
Spouse	Sheryl Berkoff, 1991

Rob Lowe is an American actor, director, and producer whose career spans over four decades, marked by early fame as a prominent member of the Brat Pack and a successful transition into television and film production. He first gained widespread recognition for his roles in iconic 1980s films such as The Outsiders and St. Elmo's Fire before achieving critical acclaim for his television work on series like The West Wing and Parks and Recreation. Known for his charismatic screen presence and professional longevity, he has also authored a bestselling memoir and become a prominent figure in entertainment journalism as a host of the podcast Literally! with Rob Lowe.

Early life and education

He was born on March 17, 1964, in Charlottesville, Virginia, to Barbara Lynn, a teacher, and Charles Davis Lowe, a trial lawyer. His family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he attended Oakwood Junior/Senior High School and developed an early interest in acting, performing in local theater productions. After his parents divorced, he relocated with his mother and brother, actor Chad Lowe, to Santa Monica, California, where he enrolled at Santa Monica High School. He began his professional acting career as a teenager, securing commercial work and minor television roles while still in school, which led to his early departure from formal education to pursue acting full-time.

Career

His film career launched with a role in the 1983 coming-of-age drama The Outsiders, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which also featured fellow young stars Tom Cruise and Matt Dillon. This was quickly followed by a defining performance in the ensemble film St. Elmo's Fire, cementing his status as a core member of the Brat Pack. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he starred in a mix of successful and critically panned projects, including About Last Night..., Wayne's World, and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. A significant career resurgence began in 1999 when he joined the cast of the acclaimed political drama The West Wing, earning Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his portrayal of Sam Seaborn. He later found renewed popular success with his comedic role as Chris Traeger on the NBC series Parks and Recreation, and has starred in and produced several television series, including The Lyon's Den, Brothers & Sisters, and 9-1-1: Lone Star. He has also directed episodes for television and released a popular memoir, Stories I Only Tell My Friends.

Personal life

He married makeup artist Sheryl Berkoff in 1991, and the couple has two sons, Matthew Edward Lowe and John Owen Lowe. He has been open about his struggles with alcoholism and sobriety, celebrating decades of recovery and becoming an advocate for addiction awareness. A longtime resident of Montecito, California, he is an active supporter of various charitable organizations, including the Lowe Family Foundation, and has been involved in political fundraising, notably for the Republican Party. His interests include ice hockey, and he has served as a part-owner of the American Hockey League team the Ontario Reign.

Filmography

His extensive filmography includes notable films such as Class (1983), Oxford Blues (1984), Youngblood (1986), Bad Influence (1990), The Stand (1994), Contact (1997), The Specials (2000), Thank You for Smoking (2005), and Knife Fight (2012). On television, beyond his major series roles, he has appeared in made-for-TV movies like Drew Peterson: Untouchable and hosted the documentary series The Lowe Files. He also served as an executive producer on several projects, including the television film The Christmas Shoes.

Awards and nominations

Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including two Golden Globe Award nominations for his work on The West Wing and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series as part of that cast. He earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on Parks and Recreation. His performance in the television film Behind the Candelabra was recognized with a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination. He has also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the motion picture industry.

Public image and legacy

He is widely regarded as a quintessential figure of 1980s Hollywood and a survivor of the intense media scrutiny that defined the Brat Pack era, successfully reinventing his career multiple times. His candid discussions about his personal challenges in his memoir and media appearances have been praised for their honesty and have bolstered his image as a respected elder statesman of entertainment. His transition from a film heartthrob to a critically acclaimed television actor is seen as a model for career longevity in the industry. His continued relevance, through roles in series like 9-1-1: Lone Star and his popular podcast, secures his legacy as a versatile and enduring presence in American popular culture.

Category:American male film actors Category:American television actors Category:American film producers Category:1964 births Category:Living people