by Laura Brounstein
When Rob Lowe announced in 2002 he was leaving The West Wing, many thought that quitting the show that had re-energized his career and catapulted him from a 1980s matinee idol to an A-list TV actor was risky. But now, Lowe is having the last laugh with The Lyon's Den, a new NBC drama in which he stars as idealistic lawyer Jack Turner. Lowe, 39, was positively giddy when Ladies' Home Journal caught up with him on the phone, family in tow, as he drove to his first day on the new set. "Today is my 14th wedding anniversary- that's like 84 years of marriage in Hollywood years," he said, joking. With help from his wife, Sheryl, 42, and younger son, Johnowen, 7 (Matthew, 10, was at camp), Lowe was happy to share a slice of his life.
Q: What keeps your romance strong?
A: Well, we recently went away without our children, for the first time. We were in Bora Bora, and had the greatest time lying on the beach, eating great food, sitting under the stars.
Q: Who was more worried about the boys back home?
A: Sheryl was. I know how important going through separation is, for boys, to becoming a man. So I knew it would be a great opportunity for the kids to grow, gain confidence and... [Sheryl's voice is heard from inside the car.] Sheryl wants all to know that I cried all the way to the airport. This is true. Now that our older son is at camp for the first time, we're going through it again. The newest thing is that they take pictures all day at the camp, and then they upload them at night to the camp's Web site. So, at 1AM, Sheryl's at the computer looking at the pictures saying, "Oh, I think that's Matt in the corner... he looks like he's wearing sunscreen! Does he look sad to you?" That's a mom for you.
Q: Is there a big difference between the mom and dad thing?
A: Totally. I took Matt on his first serious ski run last winter, and it was definitely a "don't tell Mom" thing. That's what dads are for. When you climb the jungle gym, Mom says, "Be careful," and Dad says, "How high did you climb?" Oh, Johnowen wants to say hi.
[Johnowen Lowe gets on the phone.]
Q: Hi, Johnowen. I hear Matt's at camp. Will you go next summer?
A: My mom said not till I'm 10.
Q: Good plan. What's your favorite movie of your dad's?
A: The Outsiders. My dad and I are reading the book together now.
Q: Does Dad ever make dinner?
A: Well, last night he made... wait, I need to ask. [to Rob and Sheryl] What did Dad make me? [Rob and Sheryl can be heard, muffled.] Um, a cheese sandwich.
Q: Is Mom or Dad a better cook?
A: I'm going to go with Mom. My dad has been asking me for like five minutes for the phone. Bye.
[Rob Lowe gets back on the phone.]
Q: So cute. Okay, how does Jack Turner compare with The West Wing's Sam Seaborn?
A: They're both true believers. Sam would have given anything for President Bartlet. jack's given his life to the law, but it's complicated because he's really black and white in a world that's shades of gray.
Q: Did you and Sheryl talk much about leaving The West Wing?
A: Ha! That's great. Honey [talking to Sheryl], she wants to know if we talked a lot about my leaving The West Wing. [hoot from Sheryl in the background] There wasn't a day that went by that we didn't talk about it- it's my livelihood. Everyone else, other than Sheryl, said, "What are you thinking?" It was huge for me, that she understood. And now, to be where I am, with a great new show, I felt like Sheryl and I got it.
Q: Tell us about working with your friend, California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger?
A: I love politics, and I would love to see him dow well. And talk about fantastic parents- Arnold and Maria are role models.
Q: Do you entertain at home a lot?
A: Thanksgiving is at our house every year, and the day begins with the Turkey Bowl, a touch football game we take very, very seriously. My brother, Chad, and his wife, Hilary [Swank], are always here for it.
Q: Which Lowe is the better athlete?
A: That has to be left an open question. I think it would cost me physically if I answered.