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April 13, 2003
Lowe cops role in crime pic
New York Daily News
By DONNA PETROZZELLO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Rob Lowe makes no apologies to viewers still bewildered by his decision to leave NBC's "West Wing" earlier this season.
Since leaving the role of White House adviser Sam Seaborn - a part many considered the best of his 24-year career - he's been happy with the work that has come his way.
"Between the show's well-documented problems and how quickly I was snatched up to do things that are every bit as interesting as anything I did on 'West Wing,' I feel completely vindicated," Lowe told The News.
Two of Lowe's new projects are at TNT. In the film "Framed," airing Sunday at 8 p.m., he plays a New York City detective sent to interrogate a money launderer played by Sam Neill ("Jurassic Park"). The other is a four-hour miniseries, "Salem's Lot," based on the Stephen King novel.
Meanwhile, Lowe is keeping an eye on the broadcast networks' prime-time lineups.
He recently starred in "Lyon's Den," an NBC pilot (produced with 20th Century Fox and Brad Grey Television), in which he plays an idealistic attorney who, unlike Seaborn, will have a love life.
"I think [Sam Seaborn] was the most well-known eunuch in prime time," Lowe said.
But that wasn't the actor's only complaint about his "West Wing" role. He decided to leave last summer after quibbling with producers at Warner Bros. about his salary and stature on the drama.
"If Sam Seaborn had been as critical to the show in seasons three and four as he was in seasons one and two, I'd still be there," he said.
Lowe, 39, became famous two decades ago after starring in such films as "St. Elmo's Fire" and "About Last Night."
Critics questioned his decision to leave the widely praised show for unknown waters. Before "West Wing," he was another moderately successful actor in search of a part. Yet observers feel Lowe is notable enough to draw a crowd.
"The TV audience always wants to see good actors again, and Rob Lowe is an actor viewers are attracted to," said Tim Spengler, director of national broadcasting at ad buyer Initiative Media. "And stepping out from a traditional role helps actors demonstrate their range."
Having spent much of his career in film, Lowe is becoming more appreciative of TV.
"I've fallen in love with television," said Lowe. "I love its intimacy. It's a landscape where vision and uniqueness are valued, and frankly, I don't see that in the movie industry."
Originally published on April 11, 2003
Posted by Jo at April 13, 2003 06:20 PM