Bio
Rob Lowe is an American actor who came to fame after appearing in a string of popular 1980s movies that included other members of the Brat Pack, especially St. Elmo's Fire. Lowe is also known for his role as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing, from 1999-2006.
He also starred as state auditor Chris Traeger in the mockumentary comedy television series Parks and Recreation.
Lowe was born in Charlottesville, Virgina, raised in Dayton, Ohio and began his acting career at the age of 8 in local television and theatre. After his family relocated to Los Angeles, Lowe began his national acting career starring in the television series A New Kind of Family.
For four seasons, Lowe starred as Sam Seaborn on the hit NBC drama The West Wing. During that time, the show won a record four consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Drama.
Lowe received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama, as well as his third and fourth Golden Globe Awards. He was nominated three times for a Screen Actors Guild Award, winning twice.
In 2009, Lowe appeared opposite Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner and Tina Fey in 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.
In 2006, Lowe starred in the hit satire Thank You for Smoking. His portrayal of a kimono-wearing, zen-like Hollywood agent garnered him rave reviews.
That same year, Lowe completed shooting the psychological drama Stir of Echoes: The Dead Speak.
At the end of 2006, Rob starred in the television movie A Perfect Day. The movie tells the story of Robert Harlin (Lowe), a man who, after being fired from his job, pursues his lifetime dream of writing a novel. But after he achieves enormous success with his book, he loses track of the things he loves the most, only finding his way after a stranger enters his life.
Lowe also starred in the hit series Brothers & Sisters as Senator Robert McCallister.
In September 2005, Lowe made his West End debut to rave reviews, starring in Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men 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 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.
After Wayne's World, Lowe re-teamed with Myers in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. His other feature film credits include A View from the Top, Class, The Hotel New Hampshire, Oxford Blues, Youngblood, Square Dance, Masquerade, and Mulholland Falls.
Lowe has also been successful with highly rated television miniseries such as Beach Girls, Salem's Lot, The Christmas Shoes and The Stand.
In addition, Lowe has added producer, writer and director to his credits. 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 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.
Lowe, his wife, and their two sons currently reside in California.