Rob Lowe remembers the 1980s as a thrilling period that transformed his career and gave him a taste of fame without the constant scrutiny facing modern celebrities. Looking back, the actor said he would not exchange that experience for another era.

Lowe shared his memories while promoting his latest movie, The Musical, during an appearance on the Chicks in the Office podcast. The conversation prompted him to reflect on both his early Hollywood career and his personal life during the decade.

For Lowe, the era offered an unbeatable combination of professional opportunities, nightlife and personal freedom. He recalled it with unmistakable enthusiasm rather than embarrassment or regret.

“It was just an incredible time. It was an incredible time to be in the business. It was an incredible time to make movies. It was an incredible time to party. It was an incredible time to be single. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Gold. Upgraded. Buy real gold from $1. Store it in America. Sell it with one click.

Lowe, 62, spent much of the 1980s single while establishing himself as a recognizable Hollywood performer. He later married Sheryl Berkoff in 1991.

His film work during the decade included The Outsiders and St. Elmo’s Fire. Those defining movies helped make him one of the most recognizable members of the group commonly described as the Brat Pack.

The decade remains so significant to Lowe that he placed it above every other possible period in which he might have lived. His affection extended beyond his own career and into the broader atmosphere surrounding entertainment at the time.

“In the totality of humanity, if I could have lived in any time, that would have been it.”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Image Credit: Beachside Stock

Part of that appeal came from what the era did not have. Smartphones, social media and constant digital communication had not yet changed the ways celebrities interacted with friends, fans and the public.

Lowe emphasized the absence of technology that now allows almost any encounter to be documented instantly. That difference, in his view, gave people more room to experience their lives without every moment becoming public material.

“No social media. No cell phone cameras.”

The actor remembered making plans with friends without being certain who would ultimately show up. There was also no simple way to monitor where everyone was or predict exactly how the evening might develop.

That uncertainty created an atmosphere Lowe continues to value. Without constant communication, social gatherings carried an element of surprise that he believes has become more difficult to experience.

“The intrigue of it was beautiful.”

Lowe also contrasted his experience with the pressures confronting younger celebrities today. He suggested that fame can become a “burden” when phones and online platforms make it possible for nearly any moment to be captured and circulated.

Performers from his generation, Lowe believes, had more opportunities to enjoy their success outside intense public scrutiny. They could experience fame while still having portions of their personal lives remain away from cameras and immediate online attention.

Although Lowe remembers his early fame fondly, his priorities eventually moved beyond professional achievement. He is now the father of two sons, Matthew, 33, and John Owen, 30.

In a 2022 conversation with People, Lowe discussed the personal shift that began after years of concentrating heavily on his career. He said his attention increasingly turned toward his own development, spirituality, recovery, marriage and family.

“Up until I turned 26, I spent all my time investing in my career. From 26 on, I’ve invested in me; my spirituality, my recovery, my marriage, my family.”

That evolution did not diminish Lowe’s appreciation for the decade that established him in Hollywood. His memories of the 1980s remain rooted in the movies he made, the freedom he experienced and the mystery that existed before constant connectivity reshaped celebrity life.

Gold is the oldest answer. SoundMoney makes owning it as easy as the apps you already use.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.