Rob Lowe reveals surprising friendship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

Rob Lowe has some friends in high places -- like Supreme Court of the United States high.

In a recent episode of the "Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend" podcast, the "West Wing" alum was asked to reveal someone that people would be surprised to know he's friends with.

"Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas," he replied.

The answer clearly seemed to catch O'Brien off-guard, because Lowe playfully noted that the talk show host's eye veins "popped" at the admission.

"But he’s a guy people go, 'Do you know him?'" he continued. "I do know him."

Lowe explained how he met Thomas during a ceremony at the Supreme Court when he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

"I got inducted into the Horatio Alger Society a couple years ago," the 56-year-old actor shared, "It’s a very exclusive, very amazing society that provides scholarships for kids who come from just terrible, terrible backgrounds, but they are the best and the brightest in their classes. And the society of people in it are pretty studly. He’s one of them, so that’s how we met."

He added, "The reason I bring it up is he’s one of those people who occupies such a perception in people’s minds and then you meet him and he’s like, 'If you ever need anything, call my number. This is my cellphone.'"

As it turns out, the 71-year-old judge actually meant what he said because when Lowe called, he answered.

"My son Matthew was going to law school, so I had some ideas about clerking and things like that, so I call this cellphone and he answers it," he recalled.

Lowe shared how Thomas chatted for almost an hour and dished out some solid advice to his son. The two have kept in touch ever since.