Rob Lowe has had quite a career in Hollywood, but he still says he’s a husband and father first.
The St. Elmo’s Fire star sparked a romance with his current wife Sheryl Berkoff on the set of Bad Influence in 1990, and the two married in 1991. Two years later, Lowe and Berkoff welcomed their first son, Matthew, 32, followed in 1995 by their second son, John Owen, 30.
“I have no regrets and am happy to be living my life, but I was ready to coach Little League, carve pumpkins on Halloween, read books, and serve hot lunches on Wednesdays,” Lowe told PEOPLE in 2022 about his journey from teenage heartthrob to family man. “I really, really loved every moment of it.”
Lowe’s second son John Owen is also following in his father’s footsteps in Hollywood. The two play father and son in the Netflix comedy series “Unstable,” which debuted in March 2023. John Owen is the show’s co-creator, co-executive producer, and co-writer.
In June 2024, Lowe told PEOPLE that for him, “the beauty of being a father” is having the opportunity to revisit his childhood.
“You get to experience their wonder and awe and all those amazing things,” he said. “Then they become young adults and adults, and you get to mentor them and participate in decisions beyond that. I don’t want to say important, but it’s important, right? First home, lover, job. When you think about all of that, the stakes are much higher. I’m glad to be able to give my two cents on something that’s worth it.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Rob Lowe’s two children.
Matthew Edward Lowe, 32 years old
Rowe’s eldest son, Matthew, was born on September 24, 1993. Shortly after Matthew was born, Rowe and Berkoff decided to move their family two hours north of Los Angeles. “You have to be prepared to make some sacrifices,” Lowe said of becoming a parent. “I immediately moved my kids out of Los Angeles. I’ve lived in Santa Barbara for almost 20 years. I had my photo taken there three times.”
“Where my kids grow up, not everyone is in show business… and they understand that the world is much bigger than that,” he continued.
Matthew grew up in Santa Barbara, attended Duke University, and earned a law degree from Loyola Marymount Law School in Los Angeles in 2019. According to his LinkedIn profile, he currently serves as vice president of business development at venture capital firm Miroma Ventures. Matthew is also the founder of LH Capital, “the family office of the Lowe and Hermès families.”
Although Matthew is a successful businessman, he is still learning from his father. Matthew told PEOPLE in 2022 that Lowe is “good at giving relationship advice.” “He’ll say, ‘When I found your mom, I knew she was the one. I married my best friend, and it worked out perfectly for me. So I want you to take that advice.'” … He gives me little pearls of wisdom like that, and I carry them with me. If possible, I would like to be married for 30 years like him. ”
In 2017, Lowe and his two sons filmed a supernatural documentary series called “The Lowe Files” that explores allegedly supernatural locations. “I’m in law school, my brother is in school, and my dad is always working, so the three of us don’t get to be together that often,” Matthew told PEOPLE at the time. “It felt like a really fun trip, and there just happened to be cameras around.”
On Matthew’s 29th birthday in September 2022, Lowe posted a sweet birthday tribute to Matthew on Instagram: “Happy birthday to one of the best young people I know. Smart, funny, dedicated, kind, adventurous, and hardworking. Proud to be your father. I love you so much Matthew!”
Matthew commented, “I love you so much.”
John Owen Law, 30 years old
Lowe’s second son, John Owen, was born on November 6, 1995.
“My sons are definitely my greatest accomplishment,” Lowe told PEOPLE in 2018. “I can only give half the credit – maybe not even half! The rest goes to my wife, Cheryl, who has been an amazing partner.”
John Owen attended Stanford University, but did not begin his career until after graduation. He appeared regularly on Lowe’s Fox comedy The Grinder and worked in the writers’ room while in college. The Parks and Recreation actor said working with his son was “amazing.”
The father-son duo will return to our screens in 2023, co-starring in Netflix’s scripted comedy series Unstable, which premiered on March 30th. According to Netflix, “The series is set at a cutting-edge biotech research company and tells the story of an introverted, socially challenged son who goes to work for his wildly successful and highly eccentric father to save him from disaster.” John Owen is the show’s co-creator, co-executive producer, and co-writer, and also plays Lowe’s fictional son.
John Owen told Men’s Health in March 2023, “Your parents, no matter who they are, they just get you in trouble all the time. Always. Even as an adult.” Owen hinted at the dynamic between his and Lowe’s characters on the show. “Relationships change as you get older, and your parents become more like friends. They still bother you, as they should.”
The year before, John Owen told PEOPLE that he looked to his father as a role model. “Given what he went through in his 20s, his meteoric rise and some ups and downs, and his decades in the public eye, I think he sets an example every day of being a family man, a really, really good father, a really, really strong husband, and coming out as a fun, kind guy to be around,” he said.
In April 2023, John Owen and Lowe appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show, and the Brothers and Sisters alum gifted his son with a five-year sobriety tip.
“I love you. I’m proud of you,” Lowe told her youngest son. John Owen responded, “I’m at a loss for words. I usually have witty rebuttals, but I don’t have one for that. That was very kind of me.”
On May 2, 2023, John Owen joined the picket line of striking Writers Guild of America members after six weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with the Motion Picture and Television Producers Alliance. Mr Lowe was also present in an act of solidarity.
When Lowe celebrated her 60th birthday in March 2024, John Owen used the occasion to post a Photoshopped photo of John Stamos on Lowe’s behalf on Instagram.
“If you’re all being nice, please send some birthday love the way my dad did…he turns 60 today!!!! Love you forever, Pop,” he wrote.
Lowe commented, “I would be lying if I said I was surprised.”
In July 2024, John Owen appeared on Good Morning America and talked about what he learned from working on Unstable with his father.
“I learned how to be more professional on set,” he said, adding that he admired Lowe’s “work ethic.”
