Rob Lowe’s 5 most memorable roles

Since 1979, Rob Lowe has been gracing our screens with his talent and charisma. From his time as a member of the Brat Pack to now, these are five of his best roles.

When it comes to actors delivering brilliant performances, we can’t overlook the talents of Rob Lowe. Known for his many roles over the years, and his time as a member of the Brat Pack (a group of young actors in the 1980s who appeared in numerous coming-of-age movies), Lowe has been entertaining us for years.

And it is because of the longevity of his career that we have to take a look at five of his more memorable and impactful roles. From The Outsiders to his current role in the new series 911: Lone Star, these are some of our favorite roles that Rob Lowe has taken on.

1. The Outsiders

In 1983, some of the most talented young actors came together to bring to life to an iconic book by S. E. Hinton. The Outsiders was a coming of age story set in 1967, with a cast that included Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, and Rob Lowe.

And as a fan of the book, seeing Rob Lowe as Sodapop Curtis, one of my favorite characters, was a delight. This story is hard to watch in so many ways, but it is also about family and growing up. In a cast this impressive, even in the early 1980s, Lowe is still a standout. Thanks to his charm and charisma, this is a character that is hard to forget.

2. The West Wing

I am not one for political shows, but The West Wing has always been the exception. And having Rob Lowe as part of the cast certainly helped to draw me in.

As Sam Seaborn, Lowe delivered brilliant performances week after week. In fact, he was so good that he received multiple nominations for both Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.

Whether he was trying to offer advice and direction to the president, or helping the rest of the team get through something, Rob Lowe’s character was a man of action and words. He could deliver a monologue that made you sit up and take notice, while also making you laugh and cry. It was a sad day when Lowe exited the show, and yet it made sense for him to say goodbye when he did.

3. Brothers & Sisters

In Brothers & Sisters, Rob Lowe wasn’t one of the main family members, and at first he wasn’t even a main cast member. But as the husband of one of the primary characters, it was only a matter of time before he would step up and give us his best.

Throughout the series, we get to see Lowe take on the role of Robert McCallister, a husband and father with political ambitions. And while his work as a senator and governor were all showcased, Brothers & Sisters was truly a family show, and it was his role as a husband and father that really gave this character heart and soul.

Over the four seasons that Lowe was a part of this series, we watched his character grow and change into someone we actually liked (he definitely had his moments) and wanted to see happy. And while his ending was tragic in so many ways, it was done in a way that let the actor shine as always.

4. Parks & Recreation

In Parks & Recreation, Rob Lowe does something he hasn’t really done before in some of his other more memorable roles. He gave us a chance to see his more comedic side.

Perhaps the greatest part of his role as Chris Traeger, the eventual City Manager of the fictional town of Pawnee, is the fact that we get to see Lowe let loose and be truly funny. From being overly health conscious to his overly upbeat personality, this is a character that seems so far from his previous roles. And that’s what makes it so great!

I know I loved watching Lowe be funny and upbeat to the extreme. This turn as a comedic actor proved that he really can take on any role and make it his own. And the fact that we believed that he really could be this uber healthy, live to 150, peppy person, made every moment he was on our screen that much better.

5. 9-1-1: Lone Star

Is there anything better than having Rob Lowe back on our screens every week? Maybe having him as a firefighter captain on the new series, 9-1-1: Lone Star.

I am a big fan of the original series, 9-1-1, and when I heard that there would be a spin-off starring Lowe, I was all in. And I have yet to be disappointed.

As someone who has lived in both New York and Texas, there is something about this character that I connected with. It helps that Lowe is brilliant as a firefighter and father who seems out of his depth, even as he does his very best as a leader.

Lowe commands a room when he walks in, and in 9-1-1: Lone Star, it makes sense that people would run into a burning building on his command.

From The Outsiders to 9-1-1: Lone Star, Rob Lowe continually delivers performances that are rich in-depth and charisma. Whether he is making us laugh or bringing tears to our eyes, it seems like he is one of the more versatile actors of our time. And with these five performances, we get some of his very best work and some of his more memorable moments.