Early in his career, actor Rob Lowe was known for his playboy lifestyle, just as much as his acting, as a core member of the iconic “Brat Pack” group of young 1980s talent.
After roles in successful films including The Outsiders and St. Elmo’s Fire, Lowe seemed to be living it up until a pivotal mistake made him rethink it all to get sober.
He took to Twitter on Mother’s Day to celebrate 25 years of sobriety, and offered a message of hope to others who might be struggling with addiction:
To those struggling with addiction, there is true, real hope. 25 years ago today, I found recovery; and a life of promise. #Grateful
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) May 10, 2015
In 1988, Lowe, who was 24 at the time, was embroiled in scandal, which was brought on after a sex tape was released that showed him having sex with two females, one of whom turned out to be only 16-years-old.
Filmed the just before the ‘88 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, GA, the video was hard on Lowe’s career, and his public persona took a hit. Lowe maintained he had no knowledge the girl was underage, but learned from the incident.
To avoid jail time, he agreed to do 20 hours of community service, but knew he could not stop there.
In 2012, during an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Lowe explained how he was grateful for the sex tape incident, saying, “because it got me to reexamine my life. I don’t know what [else] would’ve done it. It had to be something pretty big.”
He left drugs and alcohol behind, but not on his own.
After the incident, Lowe took somewhat of a break from acting, and settled down in Santa Barbara, California, where he kicked his habits and focused on family. Lowe married makeup artist Sheryl Berkoff in 1991. The two ended up having two children; Edward Matthew born in 1993 and John Owen born in 1995.
“I knew that I had somebody in my life that I wanted to make a go of it with, and that’s my now-wife Sheryl,” Lowe told CBS.
After offering his story of sobriety to his more than one million followers on Twitter Sunday, Lowe tweeted a tribute to his wife:
To @Sheryllowe61 and all the beautiful, dedicated, supportive and loving mothers out there: thank you and bless you. #LOVE
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) May 10, 2015
After a decade of minor roles in film and TV, the actor came back in a big way in 1999 as Deputy White House Communications Director Sam Seaborn on the hit show The West Wing. After the show’s seven-season run, he spent five years on Parks and Recreation.
Last week, FOX announced Lowe would star in the upcoming comedy series Grinder as TV lawyer-turned hometown family attorney Dean Sanderson, opposite Fred Savage.
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