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August 30, 2002
Rob Lowe: On the Record
Access Hollywood/MSN
Rob Lowe has a "labor of love" that he's making a personal crusade. The West Wing staffer talked to Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell about that crusade, and for the first time he addresses why he is leaving the hit NBC political drama.
"No one is more disappointed than me. But it's clear to me that I got to go," said Lowe.
And go he will. Rob Lowe will leave The West Wing in March 2003 when his contract runs out. Nancy told Rob about Martin Sheen's public message to him. In the message, Martin said he had hope Rob would have a change of heart and decide to stay with the show.
When asked how he felt about that, Rob told Access: "Well, I love him like a father and you can see why he's so supportive -- we are family. You know, but listen, Martin should stop beating up on me and beat up on some other people and maybe I'll end up staying," laughed Rob.
Rob then explained a bit further. "I have very specific reasons why it's clear to me that I don't have a future there. But I don't want to get into them out of respect for the show, how hard everybody works, and what we've accomplished. And believe me, no one wishes it were different more than me because I love it."
So what will Rob do to occupy his time when he wraps up West Wing? Well, part of Rob's new life will include involvement with a cause that is very close to his heart. Rob's father, Chuck, was diagnosed in 1991 with cancer, and thanks to successful treatment he's cancer-free today. Now Rob is taking a stand as spokesperson for By My Side, a one-on-one support network for cancer patients and their family members.
"What I learned from my dad's cancer was that it's great to have family that supports you. But there's no comparison to being able to talk to somebody who has your type of cancer, who is getting the same treatments you have and who's been there, " said Lowe.
The new season of The West Wing kicks off on Sept. 25 on NBC. Rob's last episode will air in March. As for By My Side, log on to www.bymyside.com for more information.
Posted by MorganG at August 30, 2002 03:21 PM