Rob Lowe proud of Brat Pack

Los Angeles - Rob Lowe "loves" the term Brat Pack and is proud he was part of it.

The St Elmo's Fire actor was part of a group of young, hard-partying actors - along with stars including Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Andrew McCarthy - who were given the nickname in the early 80s and while most disliked the term, Rob admits he now has affection for it.

He said: "It's a brilliant moniker that's stood the test of time. But, y'know, the public - I think - don't look upon it as a pejorative. Today I love the term.

Tom Cruise fight

"You know, if you were a part of something that people are still talking about, pretty affectionately for the most part, 25 years later, that's totally a good thing."

The West Wing star was very competitive for roles at the time and once even nearly started a full blown fight with Tom Cruise - then still a rising star - as they rehearsed a fight scene, after he accidentally hit him for real, leading to his co-star to retaliate with such force they had to be pulled apart.

Rob said: "We all beat the living shit out of one another. We really did. I got one clean shot on Tom, and Tom is such a competitive lunatic - which is what I love about him - but the next thing you know he's ready to kill me!"