HOT GALLERY: A Star is Reborn! Check Out How These Stars’ Careers Went from “What Happened to Them?” to “I Love Them!”
We all know the familiar story of the has-been—too many canceled shows, a sex scandal gone awry, a drug addiction they couldn’t kick, or the rut of being typecast. See how this humble bunch triumphed over career adversity and got a second chance at stardom. By Kacey ArnoldAs an ’80s teen heartthrob with a string of hits like The Outsiders (where he made his debut), St. Elmo’s Fire, and About Last Night, this handsome Brat Packer found easy fame. But along with that easy fame came the trappings of wealth and power at too young an age (not to mention friends like Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, and Sean Penn). And though Lowe continued to work, he was taken less than seriously for most of the '90s (save a few notable projects with Mike Myers—Wayne’s World and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me). It wasn’t until The West Wing came along that Hollywood welcomed him back and gave him the recognition he’d been missing. During his four seasons on the show, he got an Emmy nom and two Golden Globe noms. Proving that he’s more than a pretty face, Lowe repeatedly makes effortless transitions between comedy and drama, adding projects like Thank You for Smoking, Brothers & Sisters, and his most recent gig on Parks and Recreation to his list of credits. One of his secrets to longevity: He doesn’t take himself too seriously. To hear his candid tales of growing up (and surviving) in Hollywood, check out his book Stories I Only Tell My Friends (the audio version makes a great road trip companion!).
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