Hollywood is no stranger to competition, and sometimes, those rivalries go beyond the screen. Rob Lowe, the beloved star of Parks and Recreation, recently dished on a wild story from his early days in Tinseltown. In an interview with Rich Eisen, Rob revealed that he was once knocked out cold by none other than Tom Cruise, his former co-star on the classic film The Outsiders.
A Blast From the Past: The Making of The Outsiders
Let’s rewind to 1983. Rob Lowe was just 17 years old when he joined the iconic cast of The Outsiders. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film brought together a group of young actors who would later be known as the Brat Pack. Rob recalled how he and Tom Cruise, then 21, quickly bonded over their shared passion for fitness. "He was living at Emilio Estevez's house, auditioning right after Taps," Rob said, reminiscing about those early days. "We would work out and jog together, like a couple of running bros."
Testosterone-Fueled Sparring Sessions
As Rob recounted, the youthful energy and competitive spirit of the cast often spilled over into impromptu workouts. "Tom is so competitive that we used to box in the hallway of the hotel where we were staying during filming," Rob revealed. "We had headgear and mouthpieces, but it was still legit sparring. We were 18-year-old guys stuck on location, so we had a lot of testosterone to burn off." Rob admitted that while Tom was already "jacked" and had the physique of a "beast," he himself had what he humorously described as "pipe cleaner arms." Despite the physical disparity, the two went at it with gusto.
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The Knockout That Changed Everything
One fateful day, their friendly rivalry took a dramatic turn. "I landed a clean shot on him, and I could tell it got his attention," Rob said with a chuckle. "But then, out of nowhere, I woke up on the floor. He completely knocked me out!" Despite the intensity of the moment, Rob and Tom didn't let it get in the way of their friendship. "His eyes went black, but that's just the kind of stuff guys do," Rob added. "It was like something out of Fight Club."
Tom Cruise: The Ultimate Competitor
Rob also shared how Tom's relentless drive has always set him apart. "Even back then, Tom had that element of determination that has powered him to where he is today," Rob said. "When we were filming The Outsiders, Francis Ford Coppola suggested we learn how to do backflips. It's hard as hell to learn, and guess who was the only one who could pull it off? Tom, of course. He ran out of the house and did a backflip for no reason—just because he could."
Rob went on to praise Tom's dedication to his craft. "It made me laugh, but at the same time, you can't argue with the results. Tom has had his eye on the ball since day one," Rob said. "Back then, I remember thinking, 'Wow, this guy is the real deal.'"
Roommates and Rivals
A few years ago, Rob opened up about the time he shared a hotel room with Tom while filming The Outsiders. "It was my first time staying at The Plaza Hotel, and when we checked in, Tom found out we'd be sharing a room. He went ballistic," Rob recalled during an episode of "Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard." "What's fascinating about Tom is that he's always been who he is. That element of determination has powered him to where he is today. Even back then, as an 18-year-old actor with a small role in Endless Love and a minor part in Taps, he had that kind of wherewithal. I remember thinking, 'Wow, this guy is the real deal.'"
Rob went on to explain how Tom's competitive nature extended beyond boxing matches. "It made me laugh, but it was gnarly," Rob said. "Still, you can't argue with the results. Tom has had his eye on the ball since day one."
