If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a screen, squinting at a pair of piercing blue eyes and a jawline that could probably cut glass, wondering if you’re looking at a 1980s heartthrob or a 2010s vampire—you aren’t alone. Honestly, the internet has been obsessed with the uncanny resemblance between Rob Lowe and Ian Somerhalder for over a decade. It’s one of those rare celebrity "twin" situations that actually holds up under scrutiny.
But here’s the thing: they aren’t related. Not even a little bit.
While the side-by-side photos are enough to make anyone do a double-take, their lives, careers, and even the way they’ve handled being each other’s doppelgängers are wildly different. It's a weird Hollywood glitch. One grew up in the spotlight of the Brat Pack era, and the other became the face of the supernatural TV boom. Yet, their paths crossed in a way that produced one of the best "celebrity meeting" stories in recent memory.
That Time Rob Lowe "Claimed" Ian Somerhalder’s Face
Most people think these two just exist in separate bubbles, but they’ve actually acknowledged the "twin" allegations in the most hilarious way possible. Ian Somerhalder dropped a gem of a story during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show that basically confirmed Rob Lowe is fully aware of the glitch in the matrix.
Apparently, at a Golden Globes party, Rob Lowe walked up to Ian’s wife, Nikki Reed. She hadn’t actually met Rob before. Without much of a preamble, Rob reportedly grabbed Nikki’s face—gently, of course—and told her, "This is what you’re going to be looking at in 15 years."
It’s bold. It’s peak Rob Lowe. But let’s be real: if you’re Nikki Reed, that’s probably the most reassuring "spoiler alert" you could ever receive about your husband’s aging process. Somerhalder recounted the story with total respect, calling Lowe a "sweet man." It’s rare to see two massive stars lean into a lookalike comparison with that much humor instead of being weirdly competitive about it.
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Breaking Down the Genetic Glitch: Why Do They Look So Similar?
When you look at Rob Lowe and Ian Somerhalder side-by-side, it’s not just one feature. It’s the whole architectural package.
- The "Ice" Eyes: Both actors have that startling, high-contrast blue eye color that seems to glow on camera.
- The Jawline: It’s that classic "leading man" structure—sharp, square, and extremely symmetrical.
- The Aging Factor: This is the big one. Rob Lowe famously doesn’t seem to age (or he does it at a rate of 1 year for every 10 of ours). Ian is following a similar trajectory.
Despite the 14-year age gap—Rob was born in 1964 and Ian in 1978—they could easily pass for brothers, or even the same person at different stages of a skincare routine. People on TikTok and Reddit constantly swap their faces using AI or filters, and the results are usually indistinguishable.
Different Roots, Same Vibe
Rob Lowe is the quintessential California-adjacent success story. Born in Virginia and raised in Ohio before moving to Malibu, he was part of the Brat Pack—that elite group of young actors who owned the 80s. Think The Outsiders and St. Elmo's Fire. He was the "pretty boy" who eventually proved he had massive comedic chops in Parks and Recreation.
Ian Somerhalder comes from a totally different world. He’s a Louisiana boy through and through. Before he was Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries, he was a high-fashion model for Versace and Guess. His breakout in Lost as Boone Carlyle showed he had the acting weight to back up the looks, but it was the vampire teeth that turned him into a global icon.
The Career Parallel You Might Have Missed
It isn't just about the face. If you look at their career arcs, they both followed a very specific "Redemption and Reinvention" path.
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Rob Lowe had his massive 80s peak, followed by some high-profile personal struggles and a career dip. He didn't just fade away, though. He reinvented himself as a TV powerhouse. From Sam Seaborn in The West Wing to the "literally" iconic Chris Traeger in Parks and Rec, he became more than just a face.
Ian Somerhalder did something similar. After The Vampire Diaries, he didn't just chase every blockbuster role. He pivoted hard into environmentalism and entrepreneurship. He’s arguably more focused on the Ian Somerhalder Foundation and his bourbon brand, Brother’s Bond (which he started with his TV brother Paul Wesley), than he is on being a Hollywood leading man.
Both men realized early on that being "the pretty guy" has an expiration date unless you bring something else to the table. For Rob, it was comedy and hosting; for Ian, it was activism and business.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With Them
Humans are wired to look for patterns. When we see two people this physically similar who also share a specific type of "charismatic energy," we want there to be a deeper connection. Are they secret relatives? Is there a secret Hollywood cloning lab? (Probably not, but it's a fun theory for the deep corners of the internet).
The reality is just a coincidental alignment of genetics. But in an industry that often prioritizes "the next big thing," the fact that both Lowe and Somerhalder have remained relevant for decades says a lot. They’ve both managed to transition from "teen heartthrob" to "respected veteran" without losing the very thing that made them famous in the first place.
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How to Tell Them Apart (A Quick Guide)
If you're still struggling when a clip pops up on your feed, look for these tiny tells:
- The Voice: Rob Lowe has a very distinct, polished, almost "anchorman" tone to his voice. Ian Somerhalder has a slightly softer, more breathy delivery, often with a hint of that Southern drawl if you listen closely.
- The Characters: If the guy is being hilariously intense about vitamins and running, it's Rob. If he's smirking while holding a glass of bourbon or looking like he's about to bite someone's neck, it's Ian.
- The Forehead: Ian tends to have a more "brooding" brow line—hence the vampire casting. Rob’s face is generally more open and "golden retriever" in its expression.
What This Means for Your Watchlist
If you’re a fan of one, you’ll almost certainly like the other. The "Lowe-Somerhalder" archetype is basically a guarantee of high-charisma television.
Next Steps for the Superfan:
- Watch Rob Lowe in The West Wing: If you only know him from memes, see why he was the original "prestige TV" star.
- Check out Ian Somerhalder’s Netflix series V Wars: It’s a different take on the vampire genre and shows his range as an actor and producer.
- Listen to Rob’s podcast, Literally! With Rob Lowe: He’s a fantastic interviewer and often talks about the old Hollywood days.
- Look into the Ian Somerhalder Foundation: If you want to see what Ian is actually passionate about today, his work with animal rights and the environment is where he spends most of his time.
At the end of the day, whether they’re secret clones or just two guys who got very lucky in the DNA department, Rob Lowe and Ian Somerhalder represent a specific kind of Hollywood staying power. They’ve both leaned into the comparison with grace, proving that even in a town full of egos, there’s room for two guys with the exact same jawline.