Rob Lowe Left Hollywood for This
Rob Lowe at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of "Knife Fight". Photo by David Shankbone under CC BY 3.0.
He has the jawline of a Roman statue and the smirk of a boy who knew it. Rob Lowe wasn't just famous in the '80s — he was the '80s. With posters plastered across teenage bedrooms and roles in hits like "The Outsiders" and "St. Elmo's Fire," he was the ultimate Brat Pack dreamboat.
But that Hollywood heartthrob? He traded the glitz for something entirely different: big skies, meditation, and mornings in Montana. So, what made one of the most iconic faces in film walk away from the spotlight — and is he happier now?
He Ruled the Brat Pack
Rob Lowe's stardom kicked off like a Hollywood fairy tale. He broke through as "Sodapop Curtis" in "The Outsiders," then sealed his legacy with the moody, magnetic ensemble of "St. Elmo's Fire" and romantic leads like "About Last Night."
Back then, Lowe wasn't just acting — he was defining cool for a generation. But with the fame came chaos.
Scandals. Burnout. Addiction.
"I've been sober 35 years this week," he shared in May 2025 on the "Today" show, as reported by Parade.
Sobriety didn't just save his career. It gave him something else entirely — clarity.
The Comeback King
The 1990s and 2000s brought Lowe back to the top — but this time on his own terms.
He won critical acclaim in "The West Wing," showed off his comedic chops in "Parks and Recreation," and even conquered reality with his podcast "Literally! With Rob Lowe."
But behind the career reinvention was a growing need to step out of the machine.
"I had a vision of myself coaching Little League, which I did," Lowe told AARP The Magazine. "It was one of my favorite things I did as a dad. And I didn't want to look over on the sidelines and have the head of NBC over there, who I'm waiting to hear from, whether they're going to renew my show."
He wasn't running from fame — he was running toward something else.
Peace, Montana Style
In 2025, Rob Lowe is 61 — and he's living life like a man who's seen enough to know what really matters.
"I sleep in, have my coffee in bed. I do my prayers and meditation. I spend some time with the dogs. I go to the gym," he told AARP. "If nothing is pending, I'll go and play a round of golf or surf, and then come back for dinner with my wife at home."
It's not all chill — he still works, still writes, still records. But the urgency is gone. The pace is slower. Intentional.
Montana, where he spends much of his time, offers what L.A. couldn't: peace without performance.
What Keeps Him Glowing at 61?
Fans may be shocked to see Lowe still looking like he walked off a GQ shoot. What's his secret?
"I get a lot of sleep," he told "Today," as reported by Parade. "People used to make fun of how much I slept. Now the science is turning around and people are bragging about their sleep."
Also? Serums. "I use everything," he laughed. "Are you kidding me?"
But the real glow-up came from healing what fame nearly broke — his health, his marriage, and his family.
He and wife Sheryl Berkoff have been married 33 years. His secret? "You get your oil changed in a car before you need it. Therapy is a life hack for us," he told AARP.
He Never Really Left
Despite the low profile, Lowe is still very much in the mix. He recently starred in "9-1-1: Lone Star," has his third book on the way, and continues to host the game show "The Floor."
His podcast has become a fan favorite, reintroducing him to new generations — including those who weren't even born when "Parks and Recreation" aired.
"I want to find new things that are continually challenging me and reintroducing me to people," he told AARP.
And sometimes? He just likes to sit by the firepit and drink coffee.
Because even legends need a little quiet.
Final Take
From tabloid king to podcast host. From rehab to rural calm. From the Malibu waves to the Montana hills.
Rob Lowe's journey isn't just a comeback — it's a reawakening.
The teen idol became a man who chose intention over image, still sharp, still working, still undeniably magnetic. Just... quieter. Wiser.
And if you're wondering where he is now? He's exactly where he wants to be.
References: AARP The Magazine EXCLUSIVE: Rob Lowe on Aging Gracefully and Finding Fulfillment at 61 – Both Professionally and Personally | Rob Lowe Shares Anti-Aging Health Tips With Al Roker
