Rob Lowe Says 'Brat Pack' Name Hurt Their Careers

Rob Lowe has revisited his time as a member of the iconic Brat Pack, a term coined nearly four decades ago to describe a group of young Hollywood stars. The label originated from a 1985 New York Magazine article by David Blum, which depicted the group as a "roving band of famous young stars on the prowl for parties, women, and a good time." At just 21 years old, Lowe was already an established actor, having made his film debut in 1983's *The Outsiders* and achieving fame shortly after with *St. Elmo's Fire*. In a candid reflection, Lowe described the article as "horrible," although he acknowledged that he emerged relatively unscathed from its portrayal. He noted, "I actually came out okay in it. What a rarity. So somebody was looking out for me." Despite the article's negative connotations, Lowe recognized that public perception often diverged from reality, stating, "the public — at the end of the day, that's all that matters — never got that memo." Lowe credits Andrew McCarthy's documentary, *BRATS*, for helping him come to terms with his past. He expressed gratitude for the project, calling it a "seminal point" in his career that allowed him to embrace his identity as an actor. Currently, Lowe stars in *Unstable*, an Apple TV Plus series he co-created with his son, John Owen Lowe, marking a new chapter in his professional journey.