Rob Lowe recounts emotional experience of witnessing old friend Robert Downey Jr's first Oscar win

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rob Lowe, long-time friend of Robert Downey Jr, shared his heartfelt sentiments about witnessing Downey Jr's first Oscar win at the recent Academy Awards ceremony.

The duo, who met as high school sophomores and have maintained a close friendship ever since celebrated this monumental occasion together at an exclusive Oscar viewing party hosted by Lowe.

Rob Lowe reflects on Robert Downey Jr's Oscar win for 'Oppenheimer'

As Lowe turned 60 on March 17, around the same time Downey Jr clinched the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in 'Oppenheimer,' the celebration took on added significance. Speaking to Variety at the DirecTV Streaming With the Stars event held at Spago in Beverly Hills, Lowe expressed that witnessing Downey Jr's victory was the "highlight" of his evening.

Reflecting on Downey Jr's remarkable journey, Lowe emphasized the significance of this win, describing it as a "culminating moment" for his friend. From their shared history at Santa Monica High School to Downey Jr's inspiring triumph over personal struggles, Lowe has been a supportive presence throughout.

"His life story is obviously an amazing and inspirational roller coaster. I’ve been there from the beginning. And this will be a culminating moment for somebody who really deserves it," Lowe said.

Downey Jr's tumultuous past, including his struggles with addiction, was even referenced in Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue.

"This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr's long and illustrious career ... one of the highest points," referring to his teenage drug use.

Kimmel added, "But look at him, he's so handsome, so talented, he's won every award there is to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular penis?" as Downey Jr just shrugged.

Ke Huy Quan, last year's Best Supporting Actor winner, announced Downey's win just minutes later.

"I'd like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy, in that order,' he said, before thanking his 'veternarian'/wife Susan Downey. She found me a snarling rescue pet and you loved me back to life, that's why I'm here," Downey Jr told his wife and producing partner.

"Emma (Thomas) made sure she surrounded me with one of the great cast and crew of all time, Emily(Blunt), Cillian (Murphy), Matt Damon, it was fantastic," he said. "I stand here a better man because of it. You know what we do is meaningful and the stuff that we decide to make is important," he added, before thanking his team.

Robert Downey Jr reflects on high school jealousy towards Rob Lowe

In a candid conversation on the podcast 'Literally! With Rob Lowe', Robert Downey Jr opened up about his feelings of jealousy towards fellow actor Rob Lowe during their time at Santa Monica High School in the 1980s.

Downey Jr confessed to admiring Lowe's ability to effortlessly balance fame and academic commitments during their high school years. He expressed a sense of awe and envy towards Lowe's seemingly high-functioning lifestyle, admitting that he struggled to comprehend how Lowe managed to excel both in his acting career and maintain attendance at school.

Downey expressed his deep admiration, saying, “I want to say I was jealous, but that’s not deep enough, I didn’t understand how anyone could get where you were, let alone still have attendance in school. It just seemed like there was something so high-functioning going on that there was no point for me to even attempt to understand it.”

Acknowledging their differences, Lowe reflected, "We’re wired similarly and also super differently — you would be impossible to pin down for that kind of structure at that point in your life." Downey humorously admitted, "I was a hot mess."