Younger people may know him as Sam Seaborn on the popular television show The West Wing, or the eloquently speaking, super fit, Chris Traeger from the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. People over forty however, will most likely know him as a former heartthrob from the eighties that swept the women off their feet in movies like The Outsiders and St. Elmo's Fire. They will also however, remember him as the focal point in a leaked tape, who's outcomes nearly ruined his life and career. The actor being referred to is none other than Rob Lowe, who after this scandal that caused much gossip and public humiliation, turned his life and acting career around, and reversed his public image into one of a well respected actor and public figure. Rob Lowe
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"It ends up being the greatest thing that ever happened to me", said Lowe on the television show 'Oprah' back in 2011 (Weiss). "What it ends up doing is accelerating sort of my alcohol stuff to where I finally get sober". After half a decade of partying with the Brat Pack accumulating towards the tape, Lowe checked into rehab. "I really wanted to do the right thing by how I live my life after that mistake", said Lowe in an interview with Diane Sawyer. Lowe made it through rehab, and in an interview with Piers Morgan in 2011 sang its praises, stating simply that: "It was great. I loved it because I was ready"(Zakarin). After a few years of sobriety it became clear that Lowe was in it for the long haul. His fading acting carrier was saved when he hosted the 1990 season opener of Saturday Night Live showing he was better than ever and ready to entertain a new generation of people ("Trumping"). In 1991 he married Sheryl Berkoff, who was said to be an instrumental part in Lowe's sobriety (Day). He is still Married to Berkoff to this day, and they now have two sons. In the interview with Diane Sawyer, he pronounces that he has fully settled down. "I sowed my wild oats and I'm really ok with the fact that I'm never going to be with another women again. That sits well with me" ("Trumping"). Lowe also acted in other successful comedy films …show more content…
Of these things, the fact that both of them took their fate and made it constructive stands out. In Hester's case, she accepts her sin openly, and through years of service and dedication to her community of Boston, she earns their respect, altering the symbolism of the scarlet letter to embody ability instead of adultery. In a very similar way, Rob Lowe accepted his problems and got help in the form of rehabilitation, and over time his commitment to his new way of life has earned back the respect of his colleagues and fans. Another parallel that can be drawn between Hester and Lowe is that they're mistake is constantly present as a reminder, Hester with her scarlet letter and Pearl, and Lowe with the tape that has been in the public eye ever since it was made. These examples of public humiliation eventually causing a positive change speak to the effectiveness of the public on the behavior of
"It ends up being the greatest thing that ever happened to me", said Lowe on the television show 'Oprah' back in 2011 (Weiss). "What it ends up doing is accelerating sort of my alcohol stuff to where I finally get sober". After half a decade of partying with the Brat Pack accumulating towards the tape, Lowe checked into rehab. "I really wanted to do the right thing by how I live my life after that mistake", said Lowe in an interview with Diane Sawyer. Lowe made it through rehab, and in an interview with Piers Morgan in 2011 sang its praises, stating simply that: "It was great. I loved it because I was ready"(Zakarin). After a few years of sobriety it became clear that Lowe was in it for the long haul. His fading acting carrier was saved when he hosted the 1990 season opener of Saturday Night Live showing he was better than ever and ready to entertain a new generation of people ("Trumping"). In 1991 he married Sheryl Berkoff, who was said to be an instrumental part in Lowe's sobriety (Day). He is still Married to Berkoff to this day, and they now have two sons. In the interview with Diane Sawyer, he pronounces that he has fully settled down. "I sowed my wild oats and I'm really ok with the fact that I'm never going to be with another women again. That sits well with me" ("Trumping"). Lowe also acted in other successful comedy films …show more content…
Of these things, the fact that both of them took their fate and made it constructive stands out. In Hester's case, she accepts her sin openly, and through years of service and dedication to her community of Boston, she earns their respect, altering the symbolism of the scarlet letter to embody ability instead of adultery. In a very similar way, Rob Lowe accepted his problems and got help in the form of rehabilitation, and over time his commitment to his new way of life has earned back the respect of his colleagues and fans. Another parallel that can be drawn between Hester and Lowe is that they're mistake is constantly present as a reminder, Hester with her scarlet letter and Pearl, and Lowe with the tape that has been in the public eye ever since it was made. These examples of public humiliation eventually causing a positive change speak to the effectiveness of the public on the behavior of