Rob Lowe, 47, was born in Virginia and raised in Ohio and California. He was a child actor and, at 18, made his feature film debut in Francis Ford Coppola's The Outsiders. In the 1980s he became one of the Brat Pack, and starred in St Elmo's Fire and About Last Night. More recently he has appeared in the Emmy award-winning TV drama The West Wing. He is married with two sons and lives in California. He has just published his autobiography, Stories I Only Tell My Friends.
When were you happiest?
Any of the many times I have sat on my lawn with my wife, watching the boys play on a summer evening.
What is your earliest memory?Sitting at a table with my mom and dad, eating hamburgers and lettuce with mayonnaise, in Dayton, Ohio. Also, watching the moon landing.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
There are plenty – look on Netflix.
Property aside, what's the most expensive thing you've bought?Along with my investment partners, Miramax studios for $660m.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
When I begin to lose my battle with my omnipresent muffin top.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
My favourite actor is Daniel Day Lewis, so I'd give him the role.
What is your most unappealing habit?
I am terrible with people's names.
What is your favourite smell?
Sea air.
What is your fancy dress costume of choice?
One of those sexy, freaky Eyes Wide Shut masks.
Is it better to give or to receive?
It depends on what the activity is.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
See previous answer.
What is the worst thing anyone's said to you?
"I loved you in Who's The Boss?" (I wasn't in it).
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
To anybody I ran into in a nightclub in the 80s.
Who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife, Sheryl.
Have you ever said 'I love you' and not meant it?
They pay me a lot of money to say that.
Which living person do you most despise, and why?
How much space do we have?
What is the worst job you've done?
Busboy at the Nantucket Light restaurant in Malibu.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
That I wasn't able to stay on The West Wing longer.
When did you last cry?
In Cannes, at the premier of The Tree Of Life.
How often do you have sex?
As much as I can, both in terms of availability and ability.
What is the closest you've come to death?
Eleven days before 9/11, I was on a plane with the 9/11 hijackers who were carrying out a dry run.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Never compare your insides to someone else's outsides – it's another way of saying that there's no upside to envy.
Where would you most like to be right now?
On a beautiful right-handed surf break with two feet overhead conditions, no breeze, bright sunshine, paddling out with my sons.