Rob Lowe says The Outsiders castmates such as Tom Cruise ‘are my guys, my homies, my frat brothers’

As I delve into the captivating tale of C. Thomas Howell, a name synonymous with Hollywood for decades, it’s impossible not to be struck by his remarkable journey. Born and bred in California, Howell’s acting prowess was evident from an early age – a prodigy who caught the eyes of filmmakers even before he could legally drive!


In a recent interview, Rob Lowe referred to the collective cast of The Outsiders, including Tom Cruise, as if they were his “brothers from a fraternity.”

The seasoned actor, in a conversation with People, discussed the film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, where he worked alongside Tom Cruise (age 62), Matt Dillon (also 60), Emilio Estevez (62), Ralph Macchio (62), C. Thomas Howell (57), and the late Patrick Swayze (who passed away at 57 in 2009).

As a born and bred Charlottesian, I consider them as my friends, my peers, and even my brothers from another mother. Remarkably, I spent my 18th birthday right there on the set in Tulsa while filming that movie.

Lowe noted that this main cast was incredibly focused and fiercely competitive, as they later achieved different degrees of fame following the movie’s premiere.

In a recent interview, the actor, who was nominated for an Emmy and portrayed Sodapop Curtis in the film, commented that Tom Cruise, who took on the role of Steve Randle, demonstrated flickers of exceptional talent at the start of his acting journey.

According to Lowe, Tom raised the bar even higher, showing an exceptional level of dedication. His enthusiasm was truly captivating.

He added, ‘In Tom, you can see the intensity in The Outsiders that has him hanging off of an airplane in his late 50s. The embryos of who we became are [evident] if you’re looking close enough.’ 

Over the years, Lowe’s understanding of the movie, based on the 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton, has changed and developed.

Over time, this film held various meanings for me, I shared. Initially, as events unfolded on screen, it felt entirely ordinary and genuine – a reflection of my own brotherhood experience.

He continued: ‘And now with time, and with so many generations growing up and accepting the movie, and it being a part of their lives … to be part of it is really special.’

Lowe mentioned that he gained considerable backing from Estevez, a longtime companion whom he shared his childhood years with in Malibu, California.

Low mentioned that Emilio assisted him in understanding the direction things were heading, referring to his fellow Brat Pack colleague who starred in movies such as ‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘Stakeout’, and ‘The Mighty Ducks’.

He remarked, “It was great to have a close friend by my side as we navigated the ups and downs of starting out as an actor in Hollywood during our youth.”

Lowe expressed that working on the film with the youthful cast and renowned director was an exceptionally unique experience, and it signified a truly remarkable period in history.

He noted that “The level of sincerity everyone, including Francis, brought to it, felt surprisingly forward-thinking.”

Lowe mentioned that during the filming of The Outsiders, every performer showed signs of their future promise.

‘All of us brought our individual things that you would see later in our careers,’ Lowe said.

Lowe shared with the media that he incorporated certain elements of his character from ‘The Outsiders’ into his portrayal of Chris Traeger in the TV show ‘Parks and Recreation’, where he appeared from 2010 to 2015.

He remarked, “I believe my personality has a knack for being amusing when moving around, and it’s generally warm-hearted and cheerful. If you observe a character like Soda Pop Curtis in the show Parks and Recreation, you might notice some similarities.”

In an interview on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard in April 2020, Lowe recounted that Cruise became extremely upset when it was arranged for them to stay in the same hotel room during the film’s production.

In my role as a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share an intriguing behind-the-scenes tidbit: During the casting process for this fascinating film project, I was privy to a unique gathering of talents hailing from diverse corners of our nation. The goal was to test their chemistry and see if they could bring the movie’s characters to life in a harmonious and captivating way.

In summary, everyone from Los Angeles who attended the auditions made it through, and afterward, the select few were required to travel to New York to confront the New York equivalent, as stated by Lowe. This group consisted of myself, Tom Cruise, Emilio, and C. Thomas Howell.

Upon checking-in, we discover that we’ll be sharing a room, which leaves Tom in an uproar – I must admit, it was quite amusing; it certainly added to the adventure.

Lowe said Cruise’s reaction was reflective of his confidence in himself early on.

Lowe remarked, “What I find impressive about the story is that some individuals have remained true to themselves, which has been instrumental in their success, and the rest is simply a matter of history.” He also found it astonishing that an 18-year-old actor with minor roles in Endless Love and Taps could possess such determination.

I recall thinking, “This person is the genuine article”… He’s been focused and on target since the very beginning.

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2024-08-19 09:21

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