Rob Lowe Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Rob Lowe’s Net Worth and Salary?

An American actor in film and television, Rob Lowe boasts a net worth estimated at $100 million. His successful acting career is complemented by considerable earnings from endorsements and notably, real estate ventures. An example of his real estate success includes the sale of a Montecito, California home for $45.5 million in October 2020. More on these financial contributors will be explored later in the article.

Launching his career in the 1970s, Lowe rose to fame as part of the “Brat Pack,” a collective of young actors who became staples in coming-of-age films throughout the 1980s. His pivotal role emerged in 1983’s “The Outsiders,” where he portrayed Sodapop Curtis. Following this breakout, Lowe secured memorable parts in “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985) and “About Last Night…” (1986).

The 1990s marked a successful transition for Lowe to television, where he starred as Sam Seaborn in the award-winning series “The West Wing” (1999–2003). His portrayal of the Deputy Communications Director won him a Primetime Emmy nomination along with two Golden Globe nominations.

After “West Wing,” Lowe continued to express his versatility on the small screen, joining the cast of the satire “Parks and Recreation” (2010–2015) as the optimistic Chris Traeger, known for the catchphrase “literally.” Concurrently, he also starred in the drama “Brothers & Sisters” (2007–2010).

Additionally, Lowe took the lead in the biographical miniseries “Behind the Candelabra” (2013) and the crime drama “Wild Bill” (2019). He also stepped into reality television with “The Lowe Files” (2017), a docuseries in which he explores unsolved mysteries alongside his sons. In 2023, Rob began co-starring with his son John Owen Lowe in the Netflix series “Unstable,” which they also co-created.

In addition to acting, Lowe is an author, having published two memoirs: “Stories I Only Tell My Friends” (2011) and “Love Life” (2014).

Early Life

Born Robert Hepler Lowe on March 17, 1964, in Charlottesville, Virginia, Rob’s mother was an educator while his father practiced law as a trial lawyer. He has a younger brother, Chad Lowe, who also pursued acting.

Raised in the Episcopal faith, Lowe spent his formative years in Dayton, Ohio, attending Oakwood Junior High School. Following the divorce of his parents, he moved to the Point Dume area of Malibu, California, with his brother and mother, and completed his education at Santa Monica High School.

Career

One of his first acting credits came in the 1983 television film “Thursday’s Child,” earning him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film at the Golden Globe Awards. However, it was in 1983 that he truly brokethrough with his film debut in “The Outsiders,” alongside Emilio Estevez and Patrick Swayze, under the direction of Francis Ford Coppola. Following that, he reunited with Estevez for “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985), solidifying their presence within the Brat Pack ensemble. Lowe then starred opposite Demi Moore in “About Last Night…” (1986), and for his role as the mentally disabled Rory in “Square Dance” (1987), he earned another Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In August 1987, Lowe’s stage debut occurred in Chekov’s “The Three Sisters” during The Williamstown Theatre Festival. From 1999 to 2003, with a brief return in 2006, he portrayed Sam Seaborn in “The West Wing.” This period saw him garner a Primetime Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Drama Series. Afterward, he starred and executive produced the short-lived NBC drama “The Lyon’s Den” (2003), followed by the unsuccessful “Dr. Vegas” (2004). In 2005, he returned to the theater in London’s West End, playing Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee in “A Few Good Men.” Post “West Wing,” he faced disappointments like “View From the Top” and the television film “Perfect Strangers” (2004), yet succeeded in the TV miniseries realm with parts in TNT’s “Salem’s Lot” (2004) and Lifetime’s “Beach Girls” (2005).

Regular television appearances resumed for Lowe as Chris Traeger in “Parks and Recreation” from 2010 to 2015. From 2015 to 2016, he was involved in “The Grinder,” which he also executive produced. He then took on the role of Ethan Willis in the CBS drama “Code Black” from 2016 to 2018, making guest appearances on various shows, including “Californication” (2011-2014), “Frankin & Bash” (2013), “You, Me and the Apocalypse” (2015), and “The Orville” (2017). In 2017, he collaborated with his sons on the A&E reality series “The Lowe Files,” showcasing their explorations of urban legends. His film credits include appearances in “The Invention of Lying” (2009), “Knife Fight” (2012), “Sex Tape” (2014), “Monster Trucks” (2016), and “Holiday in the Wild” (2019), along with several made-for-TV movies like “Prosecuting Casey Anthony” (2013), “Killing Kennedy” (2013), “Beautiful & Twisted” (2015), and “The Bad Seed” (2018).

As a published author, Lowe’s memoir “Stories I Only Tell My Friends” was released in May 2011, followed by “Love Life” in 2014.

Endorsements

As a spokesperson, Rob has endorsed various brands, including appearing in advertising campaigns for DirecTV, KFC, and Atkins Nutritionals.

Personal Life

In 1988, Lowe found himself entangled in a sex scandal.

A videotape surfaced of him engaging in sexual activities with a 16-year-old girl in Georgia, where, at that time, the age of consent was 14. Additionally, a second section of the tape was released, which displayed Lowe and a companion having sexual relations with a young American model in a hotel in Paris. This particular recording was marketed and became one of the first celebrity sex tapes available to the public. Although his reputation faced significant harm, Lowe ultimately restored his career and humorously acknowledged the situation during two appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” a sketch comedy program.

His mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother had all battled breast cancer, leading to his mother’s untimely death from the illness in late 2003. Consequently, he has become a prominent advocate for breast cancer awareness and was the first male spokesperson for the Lee National Denim Day fundraiser in 2000, which collects funds for breast cancer research and education.

Real Estate

In 2005, Rob and Sheryl sold their Montecito, California home for $25 million to billionaire Peter Sterling, who focuses on education.

That same year, they acquired a 3.4-acre ocean-view property for an undisclosed sum, located just minutes from their previous residence. They dedicated four years to constructing their stunning 10,000-square-foot custom home. This property was listed in June 2018 for $47 million. Their neighbors include high-profile personalities like Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jeff Bridges. Here’s a video tour showcasing the remarkable property:

On October 1, 2020, it was officially announced that Rob had secured a buyer, with the sale price set at $45.5 million. The new owners were Jack McGinley, a private equity mogul, and his spouse Julie. The McGinleys also purchased a 10-acre estate in Massachusetts just two months prior for $18.9 million. Years later, Adam Levine and his supermodel wife acquired this property for $52 million.

Following their $45.5 million exit, Rob and Sheryl embarked on a real estate acquisition spree.

On October 30, 2020, it was disclosed that they spent $3.7 million on a mansion located in Beverly Hills, California. They listed this house for sale in July 2024 for $6.6 million.

In November 2020, Rob and Sheryl invested $5.2 million on a home in Montecito. Just two months later, in December 2020, it became known that they had acquired yet another residence in Montecito for $13 million.