‘SNL’ Gig Was a Risk Rob Lowe Credits for His Longevity: ‘I Had People in My Life Telling Me Not to Host’

thewrap.com:

published Friday by ET Online, credited his longevity to a force of will that led him to take risks that paid off. One of those risks was the hosting job on “Saturday Night Live,” a gig he said several people close to him advised him not to take.“If you want to do it a long time, be prepared to be brave and say ‘Yes’ to things that maybe other people in your life are going to be worried about,” Lowe, 58, advised to up-and-coming actors and other TV and film artists. “I mean, I had people in my life telling me not to host ‘Saturday Night Live.’ I know today it seems like everybody does it, but there was a time when people were like, ‘I don’t know.

They could make fun [of you].'”Lowe said that intuitive skills, a persevering spirit and relentless drive were also key.“Know that there are going to be ups and downs and talent will prevail,” Lowe added. “It really does.

If you’ve got it, then you can survive the down periods of your career. Every career, it doesn’t matter. It’ll cycle around and keep cycling around and just keep cycling around and you just got to have your staying power.” Lowe first took the “SNL” leap in March 1990.

During that experience, he befriended legendary cast member Mike Myers. Their relationship led Lowe to a starring role in the hit 1992 comedy “Wayne’s World,” as villainous TV producer Benjamin Oliver, and later, smaller roles in three “Austin Powers” films.“I love that I’m still so close to Mike Myers,” Lowe told ET Online. “But never in a million years thinking it would lead to ‘Wayne’s World’ and then to ‘Austin Powers.’ You just never know where life is gonna take you.” Lowe has hosted “SNL” two more times, in April 1997 and October 2000.