Rob Lowe’s career has been a whirlwind of fame, controversy, and reinvention, but his greatest success story might just be his marriage. As he tells it, the moment that changed his life wasn’t landing a major role—it was meeting Sheryl Berkoff.
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“I had the feeling that if I was ever going to be able to make it work with anybody, it was Sheryl,” Lowe once admitted. That feeling turned out to be right. For more than three decades, she has been his rock, his partner, and the reason he chose a different path. But their love story wasn’t instant. It took time, a second chance, and a commitment to change.
The First Time Around Didn’t Work
Before Sheryl Berkoff became the woman who changed Rob Lowe’s life, she actually dated his best friend. Their first meeting in 1983 wasn’t a grand romance—it was a blind date that led to nothing. They moved on with their lives, thinking that was the end of it. Rob continued climbing the Hollywood ladder, and Sheryl built a name for herself as a top-tier makeup artist.
Years later, fate had other plans.
Rob Lowe Wasn’t Exactly Husband Material
Before settling down, Rob Lowe had a dating history straight out of a ‘90s tabloid. He was linked to some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert and even Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. He was a member of the infamous Brat Pack, a group of young actors who dominated Hollywood in the 1980s, and he embraced every part of that lifestyle—including the reckless partying.
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His wild phase came crashing down in 1988 when he became embroiled in a now-infamous scandal involving a leaked sex tape. At just 24, he had gone from Hollywood’s golden boy to the center of controversy. But in the midst of his bad-boy era, fate gave him a second chance with Sheryl.
The Moment That Changed Everything
When they reconnected in 1989 on the set of Bad Influence, something was different. Sheryl wasn’t impressed by Rob’s fame or his Hollywood charm. She had her own career, her own ambitions, and she wasn’t about to become another name in his long list of exes.
That realization hit him hard. He later admitted that part of his decision to get sober was because he knew if he didn’t, he would lose her.
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“I had the feeling that if I was ever going to be able to make it work with anybody, it was Sheryl. Alcohol and drugs were only going to make that next to impossible,” he said in an interview.
In 1990, he checked into rehab, and it became one of the most defining moments of his life.
Sheryl Berkoff Was Never Just ‘The Wife’
While most articles reduce Sheryl to the role of “supportive wife,” she was a powerhouse in her own right. As a sought-after makeup artist, she worked on major Hollywood productions, including Frankie and Johnny and Glengarry Glen Ross. Her skillset extended far beyond beauty—she had an eye for design, which later led her to launch Sheryl Lowe Jewelry, a high-end jewelry line. Her work was featured in top fashion magazines, and celebrities have been spotted wearing her designs.
Her transition from film makeup artist to entrepreneur was a bold move, proving she was more than just a Hollywood spouse. And through it all, Rob Lowe was her biggest supporter, proudly showcasing her jewelry and celebrating her achievements.
What Makes Their Marriage Work?
Hollywood marriages are notoriously fragile, but Rob and Sheryl defied the odds. Unlike many celebrity couples who crumble under the pressures of fame, they prioritized their relationship above everything else.
One of the biggest reasons for their success? Therapy. Rob has been vocal about how therapy played a massive role in their marriage.
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“The one thing that has been a part of our family is the notion of therapy as a sort of proactive, non-shaming [practice], like a trainer,” he shared in an interview. “We think of going to therapy or talking to a therapist as no different from a chiropractor.”
Another key factor is their understanding of personal space. Rob once joked that one of their secrets to longevity is having separate bathrooms. While it may sound trivial, it represents a deeper truth—giving each other room to be independent while still growing together.
From Hollywood Heartthrob to Family Man
Their marriage also influenced how they raised their two sons, Matthew and John Owen. Rob took his role as a father seriously, determined to be present for his children in a way his own father wasn’t for him.
John Owen, who struggled with addiction like his father, credits Rob for helping him get sober. “When I was struggling with addiction, he was always there for me,” he said. “I credit that with being one, if not the main, reason that I’m sober and living a healthy lifestyle.”
Today, John Owen works alongside Rob on their Netflix series Unstable, proving that their father-son bond is just as strong as ever.
So, What’s the Secret to 30+ Years?
While Hollywood relationships are often plagued by scandals, affairs, and breakups, Rob and Sheryl’s love story has remained steady. It’s not perfect—no marriage is—but their ability to evolve together is what makes it work.
When asked why their relationship has lasted, Rob keeps it simple: “Marry your best friend.”
But perhaps the real lesson is this: sometimes, love doesn’t happen in one perfect moment. Sometimes, it takes a blind date, a missed opportunity, a second chance, and a commitment to becoming better to make it work. And for Rob Lowe, it was all worth it.
