Rob Lowe looks like he's barely aged a day since filming St. Elmo's Fire. As if that weren't enough, he's also transitioned from teen idol to comedic hunk over the past three decades seamlessly. But how? See how Lowe has stood the test of time in Hollywood—and learn a few of his fitness and nutrition tips along the way.
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1
1979: His Big Break
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At 15 years old, Rob Lowe began his career in show business on the ABC sitcom, A New Kind of Family. The show lasted only one season, but launched the young actor into the spotlight.
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2
1981: Another Show
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Lowe signed with ABC and shot the pilot to the sitcom Mean Jeans in 1981—sadly the show never aired.
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3
1982: Overnight Success
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Lowe shot his first feature film in 1982, The Outsiders. His role as Sodapop Curtis turned him into an overnight success and he became the next big teen heartthrob.
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4
1983: A New Image
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Throughout the '80s, Lowe embraced his pretty boy image and starred in numerous teen films like St. Elmo's Fire and Oxford Blues.
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5
1984: Continued Success
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Lowe starred alongside Jodie Foster in 1984 in The Hotel New Hampshire. The two actors have since remained long-time friends.
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6
1984: Young Love
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Lowe began dating TV star, Melissa Gilbert, in the early '80s. "I fell instantly, hopelessly, and stupidly in love," Gilbert wrote in her memoir, Prairie Tale.
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7
1985: A Statement Hairstyle
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For his role as Billy Hicks in Joel Schumacher's St. Elmo's Fire, Lowe rocked a mullet, a popular style at the time.
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8
1985: The Brat Pack
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In 1985, Lowe and his frequent teen costars, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy, were dubbed the Brat Pack by the press.
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9
1986: Another Big Role
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Lowe starred in the popular '80s flick, About Last Night, alongside Demi Moore and Jim Belushi in 1986.
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10
1987: A Broken Engagement
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Lowe and Gilbert dated on and off throughout the '80s. The couple got engaged in 1986, but eventually parted ways in 1987.
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11
1987: Best Actor Nomination
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In 1987, the actor scored a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Square Dance.
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12
1988: A Public Scandal
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While campaigning for Presidential candidate, Michael Dukakis, Lowe became involved in a scandal: A sex tape of him with a 16-year-old girl, whom he had met at the convention, was leaked. Lowe stated that he had no knowledge that she was underage and agreed to 20 hours of community service. He took a brief hiatus from the spotlight afterward.
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13
1989: New Love
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On the set of his film Bad Influence, Lowe began dating makeup artist Sheryl Berkoff.
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14
1990: An Important Gig
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Lowe hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time in 1990. During the show he appeared in Dana Carvey's "Church Chat" bit and poked fun at his 1989 sex tape scandal.
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15
1990: A Sober Life
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In 1990, the actor entered rehab for alcoholism. He credits his girlfriend at the time, Berkoff, for helping him get sober.
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16
1991: Saying "I Do"
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After two years of dating, Lowe married Berkoff. "Ninety percent of moviemaking is casting. Same with life. When I met my wife, Sheryl, I knew I'd seen the perfect woman for the job," Lowe told GQ in 2015.
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17
1992: A Healthy Lifestyle
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The '90s were a turning point for the actor. Not only did he become a father (his first son was born in 1993 and his second in 1995), but his health became a top priority. He told Men's Health in 2019 that exercise became an outlet for his newfound sobriety: "I funneled the addiction, frankly, into that.
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18
1993: A Long Road Back
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Lowe's career also shifted in the '90s. He began branching out into comedy, starting with a role small role in Wayne's World in 1992.
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19
1995: Comedic Aspirations
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In 1995, he appeared in Tommy Boy with Chris Farley and David Spade, another one of his first comedic roles.
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20
1997: Giving Credit
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The actor credits Mike Meyers and his Wayne's World role for helping him make his return to acting after taking a brief break and helping him transition into comedy.