Rob Lowe is a ‘Benevolent Narcissist’ According to ‘Parks and Rec’ Castmate Rashida Jones

When Rob Lowe and Adam Scott join the cast of Parks and Recreation, their characters breathed new life into the show. Because of their romantic connections with Rashida Jones and Amy Poehler’s characters, the show found new depth. Though Lowe was initially only booked for six episodes, he ended up becoming a series regular on the show. The actor stuck around until he and Jones exited the show in Season 6.

Rob Lowe believes people were surprised by his humor on ‘Parks and Recreation’ because of his ‘good looks’

Lowe has been candid about the fact that he loved working on Parks and Recreation. Fans of his adored him in the role also. Chris Trager’s unflinching positivity and commitment to health were laugh-out-loud funny especially in the town of Pawnee, Indiana. Of course, some fans were surprised that Lowe had such a knack for comedy. When asked about why he thought that was, he cited his physical appearance.

“Again, there’s a historical bias that good-looking people are not funny,” Lowe shared with The New York Magazine. In the interview, Lowe mentioned his physical looks more than once. He also stated that he couldn’t have had more unique roles, like Chris on Parks and Recreation, early on in his career because he was “so goddamn pretty” that he wouldn’t have taken himself too seriously.

Rashida Jones calls Lowe a benevolent narcissist

Lowe seems to have given his physical appearance quite a lot of thought. Perhaps that is why his fellow Parks and Recreation alum coined him a “benevolent narcissist.” On page 235 of his second memoir, Love Life, the Californication actor admitted that Jones made a habit out of referring to him in that way.

Rashida also refers to her dad, Quincy Jones, as a narcissist

While some people may have been offended by being called a narcissist, the author chose to take Jones’ nickname as a compliment. According to Lowe, Jones thinks all the best people are narcissists, even her famous father, Quincy Jones. Lowe continued on to share Quincy’s personality fits Rashida’s definition of a narcissist.

“He lives a huge, talked about, endlessly interesting, larger-than-life life,” Lowe shared about Quincy. “Charismatic. Walks into a room and lights it up with energy. Hilarious. Interesting. And likes to be the center of the action.”

Is Lowe really a narcissist?

Clearly, Lowe seems comfortable with Rashida calling him a “benevolent narcissist.” However, the Parks and Recreation alum also make sure he regularly checks in with his therapist to make sure he’s not a true narcissist. “I’ve had years of psychiatry, and I ask about every six months — it’s sort of like getting your oil checked — I ask, ‘I’m not an actual narcissist, am I?'” Lowe penned. “The learned men of psychiatry assure me that I meet none of the medical criteria.”