5 Decades Of Rumors: Is Rob Lowe Gay? The Truth Behind The Mick Jagger Comment And His 34-Year Marriage

The enduring mystery surrounding Rob Lowe's sexuality is one of Hollywood's most persistent and decades-spanning rumors, a topic that has followed the actor from his 1980s "Brat Pack" days to his current status as a television comedy star. Despite a high-profile, decades-long marriage and two adult sons, the search query "is Rob Lowe gay" remains a high-volume request, fueled by his status as a classic Hollywood heartthrob, specific on-screen roles, and his own recent, candid interviews. As of December 2025, the factual and public answer remains consistent: Rob Lowe is a heterosexual man who has been married for over three decades, though he has openly discussed the fluidity of sexuality in the entertainment world.

The latest surge in curiosity came in July 2024, when the actor made a surprising admission on his podcast, revealing that a close encounter with rock legend Mick Jagger once made him question his own sexuality. This highly publicized comment instantly reignited the long-dormering speculation, forcing a fresh look at the evidence, the history of the rumor, and the actor's undeniable appeal to a diverse audience.

Rob Lowe: A Factual Biography and Family Life

To understand the man behind the rumors, it is essential to first look at the definitive details of his life and career. Rob Lowe's biography is a testament to a career that has spanned five decades, transitioning from a teen idol to a respected dramatic and comedic actor.

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• Full Name: Robert Hepler Lowe
• Date of Birth: March 17, 1964
• Place of Birth: Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
• Spouse: Sheryl Berkoff (M. July 22, 1991)
• Children: Matthew Edward Lowe (b. 1993) and John Owen Lowe (b. 1995)
• Notable Film Credits: The Outsiders (1983), St. Elmo's Fire (1985), About Last Night... (1986), Wayne's World (1992), Behind the Candelabra (2013).
• Notable Television Credits: The West Wing (1999–2003, 2006), Brothers & Sisters (2006–2010), Parks and Recreation (2010–2014), 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–present), Unstable (2023–present).
• Current Status: Sober since 1990, active in film and television, and co-hosts the podcast Literally! With Rob Lowe.

The most definitive counter to the "gay Rob Lowe" speculation is his rock-solid marriage. Lowe and his wife, jewelry designer Sheryl Berkoff, first met in 1983 and reconnected on the set of the film Bad Influence. They married in 1991 and are set to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary in 2025, a rare feat in Hollywood. They frequently appear together at public events, including a recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025.

The Origins of the Rumor: Brat Pack, Scandals, and the Mick Jagger Comment

The enduring speculation about Rob Lowe's sexuality can be traced back to a confluence of factors, primarily his early career image and a major personal scandal that rocked Hollywood in the late 1980s.

The "Pretty Boy" Image and the Brat Pack Era

In the mid-1980s, Rob Lowe became synonymous with the "Brat Pack," a group of young, talented actors who defined a generation of coming-of-age films. His roles in films like The Outsiders and St. Elmo's Fire cemented his status as a quintessential American heartthrob. His sculpted features and undeniable good looks, while making him a sex symbol, also led to a certain level of scrutiny and, for some, a non-traditional association with masculinity in the era's rigid definitions. This "pretty boy" persona, often contrasted with the rugged action stars of the time, became a subtle, underlying factor in the persistent rumors.

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The 1988 "Lowe Tapes" Scandal

The most significant event that fueled speculation was the 1988 sex tape scandal, often referred to as "The Lowe Tapes." The tape, which was leaked to the press, involved the actor and a woman. While the incident was a heterosexual encounter, a contemporary analysis from the time suggested the underlying professional risk, noting that if it had been "a gay film, it would have been a (career) killer" in that era. This comment highlights how the public's perception of his sexuality was already a topic of discussion, and any deviation from the norm was seen as a career threat.

The 2024 Mick Jagger Revelation

In July 2024, Lowe brought the topic of his sexuality back into the spotlight himself. During an episode of his podcast, he recounted an interaction with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, describing the rock star as "flirty" and "very coquettish." Lowe admitted that the interaction was so captivating that it genuinely made him question his own sexuality. While clearly a humorous and self-deprecating anecdote, the comment resonated with the public because it addressed the curiosity head-on, albeit in a joking manner, and confirmed his open-mindedness about the topic.

The Roles That Sparked Speculation: From Dr. Startz to Robert McCallister

In Hollywood, an actor's choice of roles often dictates public perception, and Rob Lowe has taken on several high-profile characters that have directly or indirectly contributed to the "gay Rob Lowe" narrative.

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Dr. Jack Startz in Behind the Candelabra (2013)

Lowe’s role as Dr. Jack Startz, the flamboyant and heavily plastic-surgeried gay plastic surgeon in Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra, is perhaps the most direct link between the actor and a gay character. Playing opposite Michael Douglas (as Liberace) and Matt Damon, Lowe "camped it up" in the role, delivering a performance that was both hilarious and memorable. This high-profile, critically acclaimed portrayal of a gay man in a major film cemented a connection in the public mind, even though it was a supporting role.

Robert McCallister in Brothers & Sisters (2006–2010)

Lowe played Senator Robert McCallister, a Republican politician who marries into a liberal family. While the character was heterosexual, the show itself featured a prominent and beloved gay couple (Kevin Walker and Scotty Wandell), placing Lowe in a progressive, family-focused ensemble drama that was highly popular within the LGBTQ+ community. His association with this show, which tackled complex family dynamics and sexuality, kept him in the cultural conversation surrounding queer themes.

Chris Traeger in Parks and Recreation (2010–2014)

While the character of Chris Traeger was unequivocally heterosexual—marrying Ann Perkins and having children—his personality was highly unconventional. Traeger was excessively positive, health-obsessed, and utilized a unique, almost robotic cadence, often leading to interpretations of him as being repressed or simply "different" from the typical male sitcom lead. This portrayal of a man who is "LITERALLY" perfect and intensely focused on self-optimization is another example of Lowe taking on a role that defies traditional, rugged male stereotypes, subtly feeding the public's perception of his versatility and, for some, his potential for non-traditional sexuality.

Conclusion: The Enduring Allure of Ambiguity

The long-running "gay Rob Lowe" rumor is less about the actor's actual sexuality and more about the public's fascination with a celebrity who has maintained an almost impossibly youthful, beautiful, and androgynous appearance for decades. Rob Lowe's personal life is well-documented: he is a happily married man to Sheryl Berkoff and a father of two sons, Matthew and John Owen Lowe.

However, his willingness to embrace flamboyant, non-traditional, and even explicitly gay roles, combined with his own candid comments—such as the Mick Jagger admission in 2024—ensures that the curiosity surrounding his private life will continue. Ultimately, the speculation is a tribute to his enduring status as a cultural icon whose personal appeal transcends traditional labels, allowing him to remain one of Hollywood's most compelling and talked-about figures, even in 2025.