Rob Lowe's 2 Sons: All About Matthew and John Owen
Rob Lowe is a father to two sons with his wife Sheryl Berkoff
Rob Lowe is a father to two sons with his wife Sheryl Berkoff
Rob Lowe has had quite the career in Hollywood, but he still says he is a husband and father first.
The St. Elmo's Fire star sparked a romance with his now-wife Sheryl Berkoff on the set of 1990's Bad Influence and the two wed in 1991. Two years later, Lowe and Berkoff welcomed their first son, Matthew, 31, followed by their second son, John Owen, 29, in 1995.
"I'm happy I lived the life that I lived because I have no regrets, but I was super ready to coach Little League, carve pumpkins on Halloween, read books and serve hot lunch on Wednesdays," Lowe told PEOPLE in 2022 of his journey from teen heartthrob to family man. "I really, really loved every minute of it."
Lowe's younger son, John Owen, is even following in the Hollywood footsteps of his father. The two portray a father and son in the Netflix comedy series Unstable, which premiered in March 2023. John Owen is a co-creator, co-executive producer and co-writer on the show.
In June 2024, Lowe told PEOPLE that for him, the "beauty of fatherhood" is getting the opportunity to revisit his own childhood.
"You get to experience their wonder and awe, and all of those amazing things," he said. "Then they become young adults and adults, and to be able to guide them or be a part of decisions that are much more — I don't want to say important, but important, you know? First houses, significant others, jobs. With all of that stuff, the stakes are way higher. It makes me glad to be around to give my two cents for what it's worth."
Here's everything to know about Rob Lowe's two kids.
Matthew Edward Lowe, 31
Lowe's older son, Matthew, was born on Sept. 24, 1993. Shortly after Matthew was born, Lowe and Berkoff decided to move their family two hours north of Los Angeles. "You have to be willing to make some sacrifices," Lowe said of being a parent. "I moved my kids out of Los Angeles, immediately. I've lived in Santa Barbara for 20 years almost. I've had my picture taken there three times."
He continued, "Not everybody is in show business where my kids grew up ... and they see that the world is so much bigger than that."
After growing up in Santa Barbara, Matthew attended Duke University and then earned his law degree from Loyola Marymount Law School in Los Angeles in 2019. Now, he's vice president of business development at Miroma Ventures, a venture capital firm, according to his LinkedIn profile. Matthew is also the founder of LH Capital, "the family office of the Lowe and Hermes families."
Though Matthew is a successful businessman, he's still learning from his dad. Lowe is "great with relationship advice," Matthew told PEOPLE in 2022. "He'll say, 'When I found your mother, I knew she was the one. I married my best friend, and it's worked out perfectly for me. So take that advice.' ... He gives little pearls of wisdom like that that I keep with me. Hopefully, I will end up in a 30-year marriage like him."
In 2017, Lowe and his two sons filmed a supernatural docu-series called The Lowe Files where they explored 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 shared with PEOPLE at the time. "It really just felt like a fun trip we were on, and cameras just happened to be around."
On Matthew's 29th birthday in September 2022, Lowe posted a sweet birthday tribute to him on Instagram, saying, "Happy Birthday to one of the best young men I know. Smart, funny dedicated, kind, adventurous, and hard-working. I'm proud to be your father. Love you so much Matthew!"
"Love you so much," Matthew commented.
John Owen Lowe, 29
Lowe's younger son, John Owen, was born on Nov. 6, 1995.
"My boys are definitely my greatest achievement," Lowe told PEOPLE in 2018. "I can only take half of the credit — maybe not even half! The rest goes to my wife Sheryl, who's been just an amazing partner."
John Owen attended Stanford University but didn't wait until after graduation to launch his career. He had a recurring role on Lowe's Fox sitcom The Grinder and worked in the writer's room while he was still in college. The Parks and Recreation actor called working with his son "fantastic."
The father-son duo shared the screen again in 2023, teaming up to star in Netflix's scripted comedy series Unstable, which premiered on March 30. According to Netflix, "The series is set in a cutting-edge biotech research company, following an introverted, socially-challenged son who goes to work for his very successful, wildly eccentric father in order to save him from disaster." John Owen is the co-creator, co-executive producer, and co-writer of the show, and also plays Lowe's fictional son.
"Your parents, no matter who they are, always just bug you. Always. Even when you're an adult," John Owen told the Men's Health in March 2023, alluding to his and Lowe's character dynamic on the show. "Your relationship changes as you get older and your parents become more like your friends — but they still bug you. As they should."
The year prior, John Owen talked to PEOPLE about seeing his dad as a role model. "When you consider what he went through in his 20s, his meteoric rise and some turbulence, and being in the public eye for decades," he said, "To come out a family man, a really, really good father, a really, really strong husband, and just a fun, kind guy to be around, that's the day-to-day example he sets."
In April 2023, John Owen and Lowe appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show, where the Brothers and Sisters alum presented his son with a five-year sobriety chip.
"I love you. I'm proud of you," Lowe told his youngest. To which John Owen replied: "I'm speechless. I usually have a witty retort. I don't have one for that. That was very nice of you."
On May 2, 2023, John Owen joined the picket line of Writers Guild of America union members who went on strike after six weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Lowe was also present for the act of solidarity.
John Owen took the opportunity to tease his dad when Lowe celebrated his milestone 60th birthday in March 2024 by posting a photo on Instagram where John Stamos had been photoshopped into the picture in Lowe's place.
"If you could all be so kind, please send some birthday love my Dad’s way… HE’S SIXTY TODAY!!!! Love you forever, pops," he wrote.
Lowe commented, "To say I'm surprised would be a lie."
In July 2024, John Owen talked about what he's learned from working with his dad on Unstable during an appearance on Good Morning America.
"I've learned how to be more professional on set," he said, adding that he admires Lowe's "work ethic."
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