Copyright Parade
For the last four decades, Rob Lowe has charmed audiences with his many iconic television and movie roles, ranging from the ever-so-positive Chris Traeger on Parks and Recreation to Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn on Aaron Sorkin‘s acclaimed political drama, The West Wing. In an exclusive interview with Parade, Lowe, 61, revealed which of his characters he’d like to revisit and his proudest moment as an actor. He also shared the secret to his long-lasting career in Hollywood. In addition to being a mainstay in the entertainment industry, Lowe is also an advocate for cancer clinical trials. While speaking to Parade, Lowe shared how a beloved family member’s battle with cancer inspired him to partner with the pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly and Company. Rob Lowe Revealed Why He’s Passionate About Cancer Clinical Trials Lowe wants to bring awareness to cancer clinical trials because of his beloved grandmother, Mim. The actor shared with Parade that he “was extraordinarily close” with Mim his “entire childhood.” Unfortunately, Mim “was diagnosed with very, very serious breast cancer” when Lowe was 10 years old. While her diagnosis was bleak, Lowe said her participation in two clinical trials “completely changed the course” of her cancer journey for the better. Lowe’s grandmother ended up surviving breast cancer. “I saw firsthand the difference it could make in a patient’s life,” said Lowe. He said the experience caused him to want to partner with Eli Lilly and Company to bring awareness to clinical trials. “I thought that this would be a really, really, really good fit to kind of just communicate to people what is out there, what the possibilities are, and just to put it front of mind for anyone who’s dealing with a new cancer diagnosis,” said Lowe. Lowe then shared how joining a clinical trial could help those recently diagnosed with cancer. According to Lowe, “there are clinical trials available to people that would be appropriate at the very beginning of their journey” with cancer. In addition, he addressed those who “are worried that they’re going to get a placebo,” meaning not receiving active treatment, during said trials. “Not true. You will be getting the standard of care you would normally have been getting anyway. But in addition to a whole new set of eyes and people advocating with you and for you that you wouldn’t have otherwise,” continued Lowe. He also said that those who go through said cancer clinical trials “can expect to have an additional brand new team of experts who are completely looking out for you and treating you as an individual.” “You’re not a guinea pig. If changes need to be made, they make them. If it seems like it’s appropriate to take you off, they do. You’re not joining some faceless machine. It’s extremely personalized,” said Lowe while speaking to Parade. “And as we know, the earlier you intervene in your treatment, the better. So that’s why it’s super important to people to take advantage of it, if it’s appropriate as early as they can. The details of it obviously would be unique to you and your doctor.” Lowe also encouraged “anybody who is beginning their journey [to] talk to their doctor” to see what the appropriate course of action is and to visit cancerclinicaltrials.lilly.com for more information. Rob Lowe Has a Few Favorite Moments From His Time On Set In his interview with Parade, Lowe looked back on his time filming classic movies and TV shows. He shared some of his favorite on-set memories occurred while shooting Francis Ford Coppola‘s 1983 film, The Outsiders. The film, based on S.E. Hinton‘s 1967 young adult novel, follows Ponyboy Curtis (C. Thomas Howell) and his group of fellow Greasers. Lowe, who played Ponyboy’s brother, Sodapop, co-starred alongside Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, and Diane Lane in the movie. “I always think about The Outsiders being a 19-year-old away from home for the very first time. And instead of going to college and joining a fraternity, I went to location and my fraternity were the Greasers,” said Lowe. He also suggested he had quite some fun on the set of the 1999 comedy, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, wherein he played a younger version of Number 2. He shared that he got to watch Mike Myers “ad-lib so many famous lines” while shooting the Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery sequel. In addition, Lowe named being invited to the White House because of his West Wing role as a memorable experience. Lowe also noted that Parks and Recreation, which ended after its 7th season in 2015, has a dedicated fanbase who still find comfort in the NBC comedy. “I’m humbled by the long list of highlights,” shared Lowe. In addition, Lowe shared his proudest moment as an actor was playing LTJG Kaffee in a 2005 revival of Aaron Sorkin’s play, A Few Good Men, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London. He said that he did “160 performances of that grueling, amazing part.” “Being on stage, for me as an actor, is the ultimate test of technique and ability,” said Lowe. “Filmmaking and television is so collaborative that it’s always a team effort, but when you’re on stage, there’s no safety net and it’s just you. So I always look to anything live as the highlight in terms of acting.” Rob Lowe Has 2 Characters He’d Like to Reprise With so many beloved characters under his belt, Lowe managed to narrow it down to two he’d like to revisit. The actor told Parade that he’s planning on reprising his role as Billy Hicks for a sequel to the 1985 film, St. Elmo’s Fire, which also starred Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Mare Winningham, and Andie MacDowell. “We’re currently writing the script for a sequel to St. Elmo’s Fire, which was a very important movie for me and a movie that has remained important to people. So that would be fun to see what those characters are like at the age as we are now,” said Lowe to Parade. He also said he would “really like to bring back” the 2015 Fox sitcom, The Grinder, wherein he portrayed “a pretentious, delusional” actor named Dean Sanderson Jr. Rob Lowe Shared the Secret to His Long-Lasting Career Lowe credited remaining “curious,” “wanting to learn,” and embracing change as how he’s managed to have such a long-lasting career. He referenced that he has branched out from acting by releasing his 2011 memoir, Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography, and launching his podcast, Literally! With Rob Lowe, in 2020. “So not just staying stuck doing the same thing, and then not only do you get to do something different, but you’re showing the audience that you’re capable of doing something different. And people want to be surprised, and they want to see new chapters from people they like,” explained Lowe.
