Actor-producer Rob Lowe believes his journey from being a victim of substance abuse to being a parent has been miraculous. His wife Sheryl Berkoff was instrumental to his sobriety.
Hollywood heartthrob Rob Lowe rose to fame in his teenage years, and that stardom came with its own set of challenges for the actor.
In a 1983 interview with Entertainment Tonight, a starry-eyed Rob Lowe candidly expressed that the fame felt largely beyond his control.
The "The Outsiders" superstar went on to say that he hadn't faced any negative experiences due to his growing popularity. That said, there were instances when people would track down his phone number and call him repeatedly.
Lowe opened up about his approach to his craft, stating that after the first few movies, it was best to lighten up and have fun at the job rather than take oneself too seriously.
Only years later, Lowe revealed the dark side of his overwhelming stardom and the many personal struggles during the early years of his career.
ROB LOWE’S FAST-TRACKED HOLLYWOOD ROMANCE
Lowe and Gilbert at an event in circa 1985 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Lowe's struggles with alcohol and drug addiction began very young. In an NBC interview last year, he shared how he managed to clean up his act in 1990 and has been sober for over 30 years. Speaking of recovery, he said:
“You either come out on the other side of it way, way, way better or way, way, way worse.”
During that phase of his life, Lowe was dating "Little House on the Prairie" star Melissa Gilbert. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Gilbert shared how she and Lowe met for the first time.
Lowe and Gilbert attend the "Ghostbusters" Westwood Premiere on June 7, 1984. | Source: Youtube/Entertainment Tonight
It was when Gilbert was 14 or 15 years old and doing a lot of talk shows. Lowe rushed through a crowd and introduced himself to her.
When he approached her, he had tucked a script under his arm. This was so that Gilbert knew he was an actor and not a random stranger.
Years later, the former couple met each other at a stoplight. They started talking and exchanged numbers. This interaction eventually led to a romantic relationship between the two stars.
Lowe and Gilbert at an event in October 1987 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In her 2009-book "Prairie Tale: A Memoir," Gilbert shared that the former couple "went from first date to instant couple." Lowe proposed to Gilbert in 1986, and she accepted. However, there were soon rumors of infidelity throughout the relationship.
Gilbert discovered that she was pregnant while the couple was engaged. She revealed that Lowe realized that he was not ready for marriage or fatherhood after learning about the pregnancy. The duo split a year after they got engaged. Gilbert suffered a miscarriage after the breakup.
ROB LOWE'S SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE
Lowe and Berkoff during “Frankie and Johnny” Los Angeles Premiere in 1991. | Source: Getty Images
Rob Lowe first met Sheryl Berkoff on a blind date in 1983. However, that was not the beginning of their romantic relationship. Things would not take a romantic turn until 1989.
Lowe strongly believes that Berkoff played a significant role in his journey to sobriety, adding that his desire to be with her made him want to get sober.
The 58-year-old actor also admitted that Berkoff may have saved his life. He believed it was worth ending his '80s run of wild boy craziness to have a family life with Berkoff.
ROB LOWE’S ATTEMPT AT A NORMAL LIFE
(L-R) John Owen Lowe, Rob Lowe, Sheryl Berkoff and Matthew Edward Lowe at the Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe on August 27, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The "Parks and Recreation" star shared that he felt lucky to have found Berkoff. He wanted to have a normal life with family. Being married made him visualize a life outside of Hollywood.
Lowe and Berkoff started dating in 1989 while working together on the movie "Bad Influence''. Berkoff worked as a professional makeup artist at the time.
Lowe and Berkoff attend the "Wild at Heart" Universal City Premiere in Universal City, California in 1990. | Source: Getty Images
The couple got married in July 1991. In a 2019 podcast episode, Lowe told Gwyneth Paltrow that he felt lucky to be married to his "best friend."
Lowe and Berkoff welcomed their first son, Matthew, in 1993. They were blessed with their second son, John Owen, a couple of years later.
THE SECRET TO ROB LOWE’S SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE
Lowe and Berkoff at the closing ceremony of the 59th Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 18, 2019, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. | Source: Getty Images
Lowe believes that good communication is essential to a thriving marriage. He admitted to Gwyneth Paltrow on her "The Goopfellas" podcast episode that he and Berkoff frequently go to therapy.
The couple is known to take therapy sessions, both as a couple and individually, when they feel that they fall short of communicating their feelings to each other appropriately. They use therapy as a medium to ensure that their family remains connected.
Lowe and Berkoff at the 3rd Annual Hilarity for Charity Variety Show at Hollywood Palladium. | Source: Getty Images
The Golden Globe winner demonstrated his intent to take the extra effort when he surprised Berkoff by taking her to her favorite TV show on her birthday.
Lowe spoke to "Celebrity Family Feud" producers and asked them to feature his family on its season seven premiere. Berkoff was unaware of the plan.
Lowe and Berkoff participating in season seven premiere of Celebrity Family Feud in June 2021 | Source: Youtube/Family Feud
She was under the impression that her husband was producing a video montage for her, featuring messages from family and friends that would be shot on stage.
When she entered the stage, she was shocked to see the "Celebrity Family Feud" sign. She could not believe what was happening before Lowe confirmed that they were playing for charity.
Berkoff, Lowe and family in the hilarious season 7 premiere episode of Family Feud on ABC. | Source: Getty Images
Berkoff hugged Lowe as she wiped the happy tears off her face. Even the show's host, Steve Harvey, found the moment heartwarming. He said, "How cool is that? She's finally playing Family Feud."
The "The West Wing" actor also feels that it is important that he and his wife have separate interests. He proudly shares how successful Berkoff's venture "Sheryl Lowe Jewelry" has become.
Lowe admires her work ethic and creative outlook in business. He believes her career helps keep their marriage "interesting and fresh".
Berkoff and Lowe at The Robin Hood Foundation's 2018 benefit at Jacob Javitz Center, New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The couple celebrated their 30th anniversary in July 2021. His marriage was highlighted in the cover story of "People”, where Lowe spoke openly about his 30-year journey with his wife.
Lowe affirmed his belief that Berkoff was one of life's greatest miracles. He shared his gratitude towards Berkoff for taking a chance on him. He believed that Berkoff saw potential in him that no one else could see.
ROB LOWE AND SHERYL BERKOFF ENTERING A NEW PHASE IN THEIR LIVES
Lowe and Berkoff have now entered a new phase of their relationship as empty nesters. This has given them a chance to reconnect as a couple. He said:
"I still think she's the hottest, sexiest, most beautiful, insane, complicated, entertaining person that I know, in addition to being a great mother."
After three decades of togetherness, Lowe still feels immense gratitude towards his better half for seeing what nobody else saw in him and for taking a chance on their relationship.
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