Rob Lowe's early life began in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he was born to Barbara Lynn Hepler, a dedicated schoolteacher, and Charles Davis Lowe, a respected lawyer. His brother, Chad Lowe, would also go on to pursue a career in the entertainment industry as an actor. Rob's ancestry is a rich tapestry of German, English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh heritage. As a child, his family relocated to Dayton, Ohio, where he would spend his formative years.
Rob's entry into the world of acting came during his teenage years. He spent the 1980s as a prominent member of the "Brat Pack," a group of young, influential, and rebellious actors and actresses that included Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, and Judd Nelson, among others. However, in 1988, Rob found himself at the center of a highly publicized scandal surrounding a sexually explicit videotape that involved a minor. As a result, he was ordered to perform 20 hours of community service in Dayton.
Following this incident, Rob sought help for his struggles with drugs and alcohol, and has since re-emerged in the 1990s as a clean and sober husband and father.