Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe Profile

Best known for his acclaimed roles in television’s The West Wing and Parks and Recreation, Rob Lowe prioritizes humanity, humor, creativity, and the importance of relationships in his acting, writing, and philanthropy. As an author and speaker he shares thought-provoking observations on mentoring, risk-taking, and teamwork, having enjoyed decades of success in one of the toughest industries out there.

After starting his acting career at age 8 in local television and theatrical productions, Lowe relocated to Los Angeles with his mother and brother. By his late teens he had become a recognizable celebrity for his roles in classic youth-oriented 1980s movies like Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders and Class. Proving that he was more than a pretty face from the 1980’s “Brat pack,” Lowe garnered praise for his role as Sam Seaborn in The West Wing, receiving two Global Globe nominations and one Emmy nomination for best actor during his time on the show. He has also received a Screen Actor Guild nomination for his portrayal of late President John F. Kennedy in the well-received television film Killing Kennedy.

In addition to a full body of theatrical, television, and movie credits, Lowe is one of the foremost advocates of Cancer prevention and awareness due to his great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother’s battles with breast cancer. In 2000 he became the first male spokesperson for Breast Cancer Awareness Day and has since shared his story of how he acted as his mother’s caregiver during her illness until the time she passed away with groups all across the country. The experience inspired him to write two books, Stories I Only Tell my Friends: An Autobiography and Love Life.

In addition to his continuing advocacy for cancer patients and their families, Lowe has taken on a second campaign, educating the public about America’s aging population and the need to prepare for senior citizens and their family’s to prepare for long term care before their elderly love ones fall ill.

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  Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Rob Lowe began his acting career at the age of eight in local television and theater. After his family relocated to Los Angeles, Lowe began his national acting career starring in the ABC television series A New Kind of Family. Today, Lowe’s charismatic talent and palpable success has radiated far beyond the realm of television.

  In May 2010, Rob Lowe joined the cast of NBC’s Parks and Recreation where he plays the role of Chris Traeger, an auditor who seeks to dig Paunee, Indiana’s department of Parks and Recreation out of its financial abyss. His recent television work also includes a three-episode appearance on Showtime’s Californication, in which Lowe plays unpredictable, megawatt movie star Eddie Nero.

  Preceding his move to Parks and Recreation, Lowe stared in the ABC-TV hit series Brothers & Sisters. He signed on as conservative Senator Robert McCallister, with whom Kitty Walker has an unorthodox professional and romantic relationship.

  Additionally, for four seasons, Lowe starred as Sam Seaborn on hit NBC drama The West Wing. During that course of time, the show won a record four consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Drama. His performance in the show garnered Lowe an Emmy nomination, as well as two Golden Globe nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He was nominated three times for the Screen Actors Guild award, winning twice.

  Lowe propelled his momentum forward, only this time he would take it to the big screen. Lowe made his West End debut starring in Aaron Sorkin’s A Few Good Men, receiving rave reviews at the Royal Haymarket Theatre in London. Additional theatre credits include the Broadway production of Little Hotel on the Side and Three Sisters with Lowe playing Tuzenbach.

  Lowe also starred in the hit satire Thank You for Smoking. His hilarious portrayal of a kimono-wearing, Zen-like Hollywood agent garnered him rave reviews. That same year, he completed shooting the psychological drama Stir of Echoes: The Dead Speak for Lionsgate Films, and the TNT movie A Perfect Day. Lowe also starred opposite Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, and Tina Fey in Warner Bros’ The Invention of Lying, a comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer (Gervais) seizes the opportunity for personal gain.

  Lowe made his feature film debut in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders. He went on to star in other popular dramas such as St. Elmo’s Fire, About Last Night and Bad Influence, as well as the blockbuster comedies Wayne’s World and Tommy Boy.

  Lowe has also been successful with highly rated television miniseries such as Beach Girls for Lifetime, Salem’s Lot for TNT, The Christmas Shoes for CBS, and The Stand for ABC.

  Moreover, Lowe’s pervasive passion and talent that exists in front of the camera transcends with his accredited role as producer, writer and director. In 1994, he produced and starred in the film Frank and Jesse for Trimark Pictures. For television, Lowe produced the NBC series The Lyon’s Den and the CBS series Dr. Vegas. He also wrote and directed the short film Desert’s Edge, which debuted at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and the Los Angeles International Film Festival. The film subsequently aired on Showtime in 1997.

  In spring of 2011, Rob Lowe added author to his credits with the release of his very first memoir Stories I Only Tell my Friend: An Autobiography. Complete with adolescent anecdotes, Rob Lowe shares astoundingly personable exceperts as he recalls his encounters, experiences, and the audition that changed his life forever.

  Rob Lowe, his wife and their two sons currently reside in California.