Celebrities

Rob Lowe gushes over Nastassja Kinski, calling her most stunning kiss

By GoNews Pulse Editorial Team••Updated Oct 19, 2026
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Rob Lowe gushes over Nastassja Kinski, calling her most stunning kiss

**Rob Lowe Names Nastassja Kinski His Best On‑Screen Kiss**

Rob Lowe, 62, surprised viewers on *Watch What Happens Live* by naming actress and model Nastassja Kinski his favorite on‑screen smooch. The declaration came during a game of “Plead the Fifth” where host Andy Cohen asked which kiss had stood out in his career.

Lowe answered with no hesitation, even as Cohen listed other notable kisses from Demi Moore, Rashida Jones, Kim Cattrall, Calista Flockhart and Meg Tilly.

The moment sparked interest because Lowe’s most memorable on‑screen romance came from the 1984 film *The Hotel New Hampshire*, where he and Kinski shared a brief but memorable kiss. The movie, directed by Tony Richardson and based on John Irving’s 1981 novel, remains a notable entry in Lowe’s early filmography.

Lowe’s comments about his personal life—his marriage to Sheryl Berkoff and his reflections on rehab—also surfaced during the interview, providing a broader context for the star’s candidness on the show.

## Background and Context

Lowe first appeared in *The Hotel New Hampshire* at age 21, sharing screen time with 65‑year‑old Nastassja Kinski. The comedy‑drama follows a family’s summer vacation at a New Hampshire hotel and includes a scene that left Lowe’s fans talking about the chemistry between him and Kinski.

Years later, Lowe would speak openly about how the kiss made a lasting impression on his career.

Beyond his early work, Lowe has had a long‑running relationship with makeup artist and jewelry designer Sheryl Berkoff. The couple wed in July 1991 and have remained together, raising two sons: Matthew, 32, and John Owen, 30.

In 2022, Lowe revealed that he fell for Sheryl on the set of his 1990 erotic thriller *Bad Influence* and that their bond helped him stay sober after entering rehab. “I’m happy I lived the life that I lived because I have no regrets,” he told *People*.

Lowe’s personal anecdotes about his family and sobriety set the stage for his more recent candid remarks on network television, where he has not shied away from discussing intimate moments of his life.

## What Happened on “Watch What Happens Live”

During the live episode, host Andy Cohen posed a playful question to Lowe: “What’s your best on‑camera smooch?” The discussion framed the question within a game of “Plead the Fifth,” prompting Lowe to name Kinski without hesitation.

Cohen had also listed other notable kisses—such as those with Demi Moore, Rashida Jones, Kim Cattrall, Calista Flockhart and Meg Tilly—providing a benchmark for Lowe’s answer.

When asked why he chose Kinski, Lowe offered a blunt reply: “Have a look at her.” He went on to describe the scene as “At that moment in time, she was probably the most beautiful woman I’d certainly ever seen.” His candidness continued as he admitted feeling intimidated before kissing her: “I was, like, very, very scared.”

The conversation drew laughter from the studio audience and highlighted how even a brief on‑screen moment can leave a lasting impression for a seasoned actor. Lowe’s willingness to speak openly about his feelings during the show underscored his reputation for honesty on television.

## Personal Reflections and Recent Comments

Beyond the kiss, Lowe used the platform to share insights into his personal evolution. He recalled that after meeting Sheryl on a set, he felt it was the only relationship that could work: “I had the feeling that if I was ever going to be able to make it work with anybody, it was Sheryl,” he told *People*.

The couple’s marriage has since become a cornerstone of his life, with Lowe describing his post‑rehab years as “super ready to coach Little League, carve pumpkins on Halloween, read books and serve hot lunch on Wednesdays.”

Lowe also briefly touched on a 2022 incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. He admitted feeling “the only person happy” when Smith slapped Rock at the Oscars, hoping the act would deflect attention from his own disastrous 1989 Academy Award performance. “Because I was like, ‘Oh, good.

So now that’s the worst moment in Oscar history,’” he said on SiriusXM’s *Andy Cohen Live*. He added that the relief was short‑lived: “Turns out not really,” he confessed.

These remarks illustrate Lowe’s willingness to discuss both his triumphs and missteps, offering fans a fuller picture of the actor’s journey from Hollywood newcomer to seasoned veteran.

In a single episode, Rob Lowe brought together a celebrated on‑screen kiss, his personal milestones, and candid reflections on fame, crafting a memorable moment that resonated with viewers and reminded them of the human stories behind Hollywood headlines.

Why It Matters

Rob Lowe’s revelation that Nastassja Kinski’s kiss in The Hotel New Hampshire remains his favorite moment on screen may seem trivial, yet it underscores a larger industry trend: the enduring power of early career moments to shape a star’s identity. For fans, the confession rekindles nostalgia for a cult‑classic of the 1980s, reminding them that even brief on‑screen chemistry can leave lasting impressions. From a media perspective, the segment illustrates how actors leverage personal anecdotes to humanize themselves in an era dominated by curated images. Lowe’s candid admission of fear before kissing Kinski reveals vulnerability rarely showcased in studio interviews, creating a relatable narrative that bridges generational gaps between audiences who grew up watching 80s cinema and newer viewers drawn to authentic celebrity stories. The discussion of his marriage to Sheryl Berkoff and post‑rehab sobriety adds layers of personal growth, resonating with those following celebrity wellness journeys. By tying together a nostalgic film moment with current personal milestones, Lowe crafts a narrative that appeals both to long‑time fans and those interested in the evolving conversation about mental health and authenticity in Hollywood. Consequently, this episode serves as a microcosm of the broader shift toward transparency in celebrity culture and the way early career moments continue to inform an actor’s brand and public perception.

Our Take

Lowe’s choice to spotlight Kinski’s kiss reveals an intentional strategy to reconnect with long‑time fans while reinforcing his image as an honest, self‑aware performer. In a media landscape saturated with manufactured drama, such authenticity offers a refreshing break. Yet this candidness also risks pigeonholing him into past roles—fans may cling to the 1984 memory rather than engage with his current work. Still, the conversation about sobriety and marriage demonstrates that personal evolution can coexist with nostalgia, providing a balanced narrative that invites audiences to see Lowe as both a product of his early film career and an individual who has grown beyond it. In doing so, he sets a precedent for celebrities to embrace their history without being confined by it, thereby enriching the public’s understanding of the multifaceted nature of star personas.

GoNews Pulse Editorial Team

This article was prepared for publication by GoNews Pulse and checked for publication requirements under our editorial standards. We review available information and correct material errors when they are identified.

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Related topics

  • #Rob Lowe
  • #Nastassja Kinski
  • #Sheryl Berkoff

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