Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography gives readers an inside look at the life of Rob Lowe, from his early days in Ohio through his years in the public eye in Hollywood. Lowe supplies many stories that are almost unbelievable, and if they weren’t from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, readers might think they were unbelievable fiction.
To say Rob Lowe has lived an amazing life is an understatement. He has lived a fascinating life and as it unrolls through the pages of his autobiography, readers are certain to be surprised by all the experiences this man has had. He delves into the emotional heartache he and his brother experienced when their parents divorced and then his move to California where he felt completely out of place. In Ohio he was active in the local theater, but in California he was busy auditioning and trying to land a role, any role, so he could continue doing what he loved best. Acting.
Lowe chronicles his acting jobs but also his personal journey through his alcohol abuse and subsequent treatment, and let’s not forget all the famous women who have been on his arm through the years.
Acting
Rob Lowe’s first big break was in the film The Outsiders (1963), along with his old friends Emilio Estevez and Tom Cruise and his new friends Matt Damon, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio and Leif Garrett. Lowe devotes a lot of time talking about his adventures making this film by director Francis Ford Coppola, a man who had directed Lowe’s friend Martin Sheen in the epic film Apocalypse Now. Sheen had given his friend advice about the director before Lowe and Sheen's own son Emilio took off on location for the film that was to launch the careers of several young actors.
While growing up in Malibu, Lowe spent a lot of time with is friend Emilio Estevez who was just as interested in an acting career as was Lowe. At the time Lowe’s younger brother Chad and Emilio’s younger brother Charlie were more into baseball than into acting, but eventually the younger siblings caught the acting bug from their brothers and followed them into the world of show business.
Other films that Rob describes are The Hotel New Hampshire (1964), Oxford Blues (1984), St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), Youngblood (1986), About Last Night (1986), Bad Influence (1990), Wayne’s World (1992), and others. He was a hard-working actor and also a hard player, both with alcohol and women. Following the example set by others in his crowd, Lowe took to drinking while on the way back to the hotel from location shootings, in the hotel, and at night while letting off steam from the day’s work. He also learned how to pick up a woman or two for the night. After all, what young woman wouldn’t want to spend the night with one of the day’s hottest and sexiest young actors?
Relationships
Rob Lowe had a close relationship with a girlfriend in Malibu when he first arrived in California. But after he landed movie roles, his time was split between Malibu and the set. That relationship couldn’t stand the long absences between them so he moved on and was more content to pick women who were in the business and who knew the kind of life he was leading. Melissa Gilbert was one of these girlfriends. Among others who he met through the years was Sarah Jessica Parker although he never admits to dating her, Demi Moore, Fawn Hall, and of course Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Theirs was an intense relationship but fizzled out rather quickly. Lowe was also friends with Jennifer Grant and when she invited him to her father’s house, Rob was met by a friendly Cary Grant who ended up giving him Faberge products from his stash. Grant was on the board of Faberge.
Anyone reading this book would drool over the relationships, whether long or just short introductions. It’s basically a who’s who of life in the 1980s. Besides those already mention add Jodie Foster, Michael J. Fox, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Christopher Walken, and others. Even John F. Kennedy, Jr. personally selected Rob Lowe for a cover of his magazine George.
Anyone who was anyone in town knew of Rob Lowe. He was invited to a political meeting at the home of Jane Fonda to get young Hollywood interested in the political issues of the time. Lowe also helped presidential and gubernatorial candidates and continues to support political causes and people.
The West Wing
The West Wing was perhaps his finest glory. It was a script that he knew he had to do, even though he was paid far less than he would normally receive. Rob Lowe fought for the role of Sam Seaborn and landed it. Along with his iconic role, it also was his foot in the door of the real White House – the one on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D. C.. Lowe and his family had opportunities to meet the real White House staff and even President Clinton. A cute side story is when Lowe’s young son gave the president his prized toy frog and the president took it on board Marine One with him, to the delight of the entire Lowe family.
The West Wing turned out to be bittersweet for Lowe. He thoroughly enjoyed playing Sam Seaborn, but was disappointed in the lack of storylines dedicated to the character. And what is another interesting story he divulges in this book is the fact that the others in the cast banded together to get raises while leaving Lowe out in the cold.
Addiction
Rob Lowe leaves very little out of this book. He confronts his addiction problem head on and describes his time in rehab. Through all of this he tried to carry on a relationship with the love of his life, Sheryl Berkoff, a make-up artist. They managed to get through all the turmoil of his addiction and married in 1991. They now have two sons who are the light of their father’s eye.
Rob Lowe
From the time his mother took him to a production of Oliver, Rob Lowe knew he wanted to be an actor. After they moved to Malibu and he met his neighbors the Sheens and the Penns, Lowe knew he was going to do it. There was a brief time when he had his doubts and was ready to chuck the idea of an acting career and go to college, but that changed suddenly when he was offered another role.
Not only are his acting experiences detailed in this book, but as readers discover, his life has never been one smooth ride. Every time you turn a page you will be shocked by what happens next. He was on the dry-run flight with the 9/11 terrorists, a fact that he was informed of after the tragedy, he was mentored by many fine actors and directors, he was a ladies man who dated actresses and a princess, and he is still considered an accomplished actor. His sexual exploits which were one of the first sex tapes became public knowledge, as did his addiction. And one of his friends/bodyguards was highly placed in the security echelons of the United States and France. You have to read the book to understand this shocking story.
Today he remains sober, happy, and still acts, sometimes on several shows at the same time. Only Rob Lowe could pull that off. He first detested the phrase “Brat Pack” which was coined by a professional writer. But as the members of that group have gone on to great careers, it is more a title of accomplishment than of disparagement.
The Book
This is definitely a page-turner. Every page or two something new and incredible is revealed. It’s amazing how much living and experiences have gone into the life of Rob Lowe. And through it all, besides his addiction which remains under control, he has remained a down-to-earth man. His family left the Hollywood lifestyle for a more sedate experience in Santa Barbara where their kids could grow up in a normal environment.
Having met Mr. Lowe at a press visit to the set of Brothers and Sisters, I can say with honesty that he does not put on airs, is friendly, and someone I’d really like to get to know better. He is patient with journalist’s questions and willing to answer almost anything they ask. This is the sign of a true professional and someone who cares about his life and his work.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. As a matter of fact, I am a very fast reader but I slowed myself down a bit while reading this autobiography so I wouldn’t miss any second of the life he explores in the pages. And, perhaps most importantly, it is written like a true professional writer and not just an actor who wants to tell his story.
- Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography by Rob Lowe
- Henry Hold and Company
- Hardcover
- Pages: 320
- ISBM: 978-0-8050-9329-2
- On Sale: April 26, 2011
