Rob Lowe is a talented and highly acclaimed actor who has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry.
He first gained recognition for his role in the 1983 film The Outsiders, based on the famous novel by S.E. Hinton. Since then, he has starred in numerous movies and TV shows, including St. Elmo’s Fire, Wayne’s World, and The West Wing.
Lowe’s rise to fame began when he was just a teenager, and he quickly became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young actors.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Robert Hepler Lowe |
| Birth Year | 1964 |
| Age | 60 years old |
| Birthplace | Charlottesville, Virginia |
| Mother | Barbara (English teacher) and |
| Father | Charles D. Lowe |
| Sibling | Younger brother named Chad (also an actor) |
| Early Debut | TV debut at 15 in “A New Kind of Family” sitcom |
| Breakout Role | Sodapop Curtis in “The Outsiders” (1983) |
| 1980s Success | Movies like “Class,” “Oxford Blues,” “St. Elmo’s Fire” |
| Scandal | Involved in a scandal in 1988, led to community service |
| Career Recovery | Accepted minor roles, stage productions, recovered in 1999 |
| Critical Role | Sam Seaborn in “The West Wing” (1999) |
| Marriage | Married to makeup artist Sheryl Berkoff since 1991 |
| Children | Matthew Edward Lowe (1993) and John Owen Lowe (1995) |
Biography
Robert Hepler Lowe was born on March 17, 1964 in Charlottesville, Virginia, to parents Barbara, a teacher, and Charles, a trial lawyer. He has a younger brother named Chad, who is four years younger than him and is also an actor.
Lowe discovered a passion for performing at a young age. He made his official television debut in the short-lived 1970s sitcom “A New Kind of Family” when he was just 15 years old, playing the lead role of Tony Flanagan.
In the early 1980s, Lowe appeared in various TV movies and miniseries, gaining experience on camera.
His big breakout came in 1983, when he starred as Sodapop Curtis in the coming-of-age film “The Outsiders,” based on the novel.
This kicked off a successful run as a 1980s teen heartthrob with leading roles in other hits like “Class,” “Oxford Blues,” “St. Elmo’s Fire,” and “About Last Night…” Lowe became a member of the Brat Pack, a group of famous young actors in iconic 80s films.
Scandal and career recovery
In 1988, Lowe’s rise was disrupted when he was caught on tape in a scandalous encounter with an underage girl. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor offenses and was sentenced to community service. The damaging publicity led to the show “Life Goes On” being canceled.
Lowe began gradually accepting more minor supporting roles in various movies and TV shows to rebuild his career. He also performed in stage productions to focus on honing his acting skills.
This slow but steady effort paid off in 1999 when he landed the critical role of Sam Seaborn on the critically praised political series “The West Wing.” This reestablished Lowe as a versatile and respected talent.
Marriage
Rob Lowe has been happily married to makeup artist Sheryl Berkoff since 1991. This proves that true love can thrive even in chaotic Hollywood. The couple first met on a blind date in 1983 but only reconnected a few years later.
Sparks flew then, and Rob found a romantic partner in Sheryl, his best friend. She stood by him through thick and thin when scandal rocked his career.
Together, they built a loving family and welcomed sons Matthew and John, whom Rob considers his greatest accomplishment.
After more than 30 years of marriage, Rob and Sheryl credit their enduring bond to shared values, nurturing their romance, maintaining humor even during challenges, and always keeping communication open and honest.
They tackle problems as a team but also retain their interests and identities. In 2022, Rob and Sheryl joyfully celebrated reaching the rare milestone of three decades of marriage in Hollywood.
Their dedication proves true partnerships take work but can thrive beautifully if both parties share commitment, respect, and care.
Children
The Lowe family comprises two sons, Matthew Edward Lowe (1993) and John Owen Lowe (1995).
Matthew Lowe, the elder son of Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff, has chosen to stay away from the public eye. He graduated from Duke University and pursued a successful career as a lawyer.
On the other hand, John Lowe, the younger son, has followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued acting.
He made his debut in the 2014 movie “A Christmas Eve Story” and has appeared in several other projects alongside his father, including “9-1-1: Lone Star” and their sitcom “Unstable.” John has also been open about his struggles with addiction in order to inspire others.
Despite their different career paths, Rob and Sheryl maintain a close bond with both sons. They prioritize spending quality time together, away from work and social media.
Matthew and John frequently express their love and support for each other and their parents, showing the strong connections within the Lowe family.
Parents
Rob was born into the family of Barbara Lynn (Hepler), a teacher, and Charles Davis Lowe, a lawyer.
Rob Lowe’s mother, Barbara Hepler, was an English teacher who deeply inspired Rob’s love for literature and language. Barbara raised Rob as a single mom after divorcing Rob’s father, and she faced many challenges.
However, she never stopped supporting Rob’s acting dreams and instilled a strong work ethic and storytelling talents in him.
Rob’s father, Charles “Chuck” Lowe, was a successful trial lawyer who provided stability and guidance to Rob during his childhood.
Despite the divorce, Chuck remained actively involved in Rob’s life, and they recently worked together on Rob’s podcast called “Literally!”.
Despite his parents’ different paths, both played a significant role in shaping Rob’s personality. Barbara’s nurturing nature and Chuck’s confidence rubbed off on Rob, and he is grateful to both of them for their unique influences.