Rob Lowe is planning to leave the hit NBC drama "The West Wing," according to news reports. NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker, confirming the actor's exit but not providing an explanation as to why, told the Associated Press, "Rob has been a huge and great part of the program. We're fortunate that he's going to be with us for virtually the entire year, and after that Sam Seaborn will move on to other things." (Seaborn is Lowe's character, the White House deputy communications director.) There has been no comment from Lowe since Zucker's confirmation. Variety and the New York Post report that although the split is being described as amicable, money is at the heart of the move. The trade publication notes that Lowe has been paid about $75,000 an episode since the series began in 1999. "West Wing" star Martin Sheen reportedly is paid $300,000 per episode, as of last year, after originally being paid $100,000 per episode. Last year, the program's supporting players -- Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer and Bradley Whitford -- banded together and negotiated a raise to about $70,000 per show (double their previous salaries) in a deal that retains their services through the seventh season. Last week, Lowe, 38, was the only major cast member who didn't get a nomination for this year's Emmys, which will be dispensed on Sept. 22, though he has been nominated in the past. In addition, he has been nominated twice for Golden Globes for his role as Seaborn.