Rob Lowe leaving 'Brothers & Sisters'

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Rob Lowe is leaving his role of Sen. Robert McCallister on the U.S. drama series "Brothers & Sisters" after four seasons, ABC has confirmed.

The Hollywood Reporter said the move is because Lowe's character did not figure into enough high-profile story lines.

"We would like to keep Rob at ABC," the network's entertainment president Steve McPherson said in a statement issued to the entertainment industry trade newspaper. "We feel he should be anchoring his own franchise. We are in talks now."

Lowe left NBC's "The West Wing" in 2002 after four seasons because of a contract dispute.

The actor has also appeared in dozens of movies, including "The Outsiders," "St. Elmo's Fire," "Wayne's World," "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" and "The Invention of Lying."