lowe was born in dayton, ohio, the son of barbara lynn wilson (née hepler; 1939–2003), a teacher, and charles davis lowe, a trial lawyer. his parents divorced when lowe was young. he has an older brother, actor rob lowe, and two half brothers from the second marriages of his parents, the producer micah dyer (maternal) and justin lowe (paternal). lowe was baptized into the episcopal church. he is of german, english, irish, scottish, and welsh ancestry.