Rob Lowe
He has got that memorable face you have likely admired up on the screen over the past four decades, having just turned 19 when his film debut in The Outsiders (1983) first arrived in movie theaters. Since then, Rob Lowe has gone on to act in fan-favorite films like St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), Wayne’s World (1992), Tommy Boy (1995) and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), as well as in critically-acclaimed television series like The West Wing (1999-2006), Brothers and Sisters (2006-2011), Parks and Recreation (2009-2015) and 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020-).
More recently, Lowe, 59, has expanded on his opportunities within the entertainment industry, becoming the host & producer of the television game show The Floor (2024-) and continuing on with his very own podcast Literally! with Rob Lowe. So, were these latest projects of his something he pursued or was he pursued?
“It is a combination of both,” Lowe said. “The Floor came to me from my partners at FOX, where I do Lone Star. We are always looking to do more things together - I have since sold them another game show. The podcast was my idea. Over the years, I had co-hosted [The] Ellen [DeGeneres Show], [Jimmy] Kimmel [Live], Good Morning America. I’ve done some on-the-spot reporting for Oprah back in the day, when the fires were here [in California], and I found how much I enjoyed interviewing people. That was just fun for me and the fact that I get to do it for an additional job is super cool.”
Being now Oscars week, Lowe has been no stranger to taking part in this year’s awards season festivities. He was recently spotted at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, supporting his Oppenheimer friends Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy.
(Left to right) Cillian Murphy, honoree Robert Downey Jr., and Rob Lowe pose with the Maltin Modern ... [+]
“It’s always great when your buddies are recognized,” Lowe said. “The issue becomes when you have so many buddies, what do you do? Who do you vote for? But it’s been great because I particularly love Bradley Cooper in Maestro and Downey in Oppenheimer, and Cillian. It’s just been a really, really strong year, I think, and in particular, for people that I happen to have long relationships with.”
Come Oscar Sunday, I wondered if Lowe will be more careful this time around, after recently sharing that he accidentally texted Cooper congratulations on a Golden Globe award win, when he thought he was texting Downey Jr.
Reflecting on that playful flub and his Oscars predictions for Sunday, Lowe said, “Oh my god! I mean, Jesus - can you believe that? I know - it was really, really funny. I don’t want to jinx anybody but I feel like there are certain categories coming into this that are stone-cold locks, but there are always surprises.”
Despite his own awards recognition over the years by the Golden Globes, the Emmys, the SAG Awards and even the People’s Choice Awards, Lowe has yet to be nominated for an Oscar. So, what gives?
Lowe said, “I know! Part of it has been how busy months and months and years I’ve been in television, starting with West Wing, but it’s funny - I thought I had it in Behind The Candelabra (2013). We got nominated for every possible category but because it was made for HBO, it wasn’t eligible for the Oscars, but definitely plotting my return.”
Rob Lowe as Dr. Startz, Liberace‘s plastic surgeon, in the HBO film "Behind the Candelabra"
Until then, you can rest assured knowing that Lowe will be the star of the evening this Sunday at an exclusive invite-only Oscars viewing party in Beverly Hills called “DIRECTV Streaming with the Stars hosted by Rob Lowe.” As for his hosting duties ahead, Lowe said, “I know I’m going to welcome people, say a few words, talk about my partners at DIRECTV, who I love because I had a wonderful commercial run with them a number of years ago and just enjoy the show and eat some good food at Spago.”
Kelly Jo Sands, DIRECTV’s senior vice president of marketing, said of Lowe’s involvement in Sunday’s Oscars event, “As DIRECTV approaches its 30th birthday later this year, we want to remind the American consumers that we offer an immersive home entertainment product, with or without a satellite. There are so many ways we plan to drive that message home, and we figured a party celebrating one of Hollywood’s biggest nights was a great start, especially since we get to re-connect with our friend Rob Lowe.”
Exactly one week after the Oscars, Lowe will have another reason to celebrate when he reaches a milestone birthday on March 17 by turning 60.
Lowe said of his upcoming birthday, “You know, when it came up, I was kind of dreading but now I’m really excited - I’m really, really into it. There are people that don’t make it to 60 and I have never felt stronger, better, healthier - spiritually, mentally, relationship-wise - and so, it’s just like bring it! Let’s keep the train rolling.”
Rob Lowe and his wife Sheryl Berkoff.
He added that his wife Sheryl Berkoff and their close friends are “putting together a blowout” for his 60th birthday, where they are “inviting people from every spectrum of my life and it’s going to be all of my favorite foods and it’s going to have an amazing live karaoke band.” As for the karaoke song he plans to perform first at his party, Lowe says it will be “Cracklin’ Rosie” by Neil Diamond.
So, what is it about Lowe’s life and career today that still brings him the greatest joy and satisfaction?
“The number one thing is that 40 years in, I’m still around and still working at a high level, and that I’m able to do it in multiple platforms and also multiple disciplines - comedy and drama. I realize how rare that is and I’m really, really grateful for it. I still feel like I’m not anywhere near done. I don’t feel much differently than I did in my twenties, in terms of excitement and what I want to achieve.”
Speaking of twenties, Lowe also stars alongside his real-life, 29-year-old son John Owen Lowe on the scripted Netflix series Unstable, which has already filmed its second season. So, I wondered if there is any advice Lowe has given to his son on how to take on Hollywood, that he wishes he would have received during his early acting years.
John Owen Lowe and Rob Lowe attend the Netflix Unstable S1 premiere at Netflix Tudum Theater on ... [+]
Lowe said, “Where do I begin? There are days when I look at that little guy and I go, ‘Where was the advice for me?’ because I made it all up as I went along. I did a lot of things - I probably did a lot of things wrong and I regularly give him advice that you can only get 40 years into the business. Like all parents giving their kids advice, you’re never sure how much they’re actually listening.”
As Lowe soon enters a new decade, how has he noticed his mindset and priorities towards his professional goals evolving most?
“I am definitely interested in building businesses that are ways to leverage all of the relationships that I’ve made in finance, politics, entertainment, government and have those run concurrently with all of my day jobs. I definitely think that it’s time, and I probably spend 80% of my time now working in that area.” Lowe added: “Putting my toe in that world has been amazing - the finance, business world because I’m learning so much and there’s so much interesting stuff cooking.”
Concluding our conversation, I gave Lowe a moment to reflect on his long and ongoing career, curious of what he would say to his younger self during his “Brat Pack” years in the 1980s, following everything he has experienced and achieved up until now.
Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, and Emilio Estevez at the premiere screening of the TV movie, 'In The Custody ... [+]
“Easy on the hair moose,” Lowe joked. “It would start with that and then I would say that it’s all going to be exactly how it’s meant to be. Work hard, keep your head down, have fun - don’t have too much fun and everything will be okay.”
