Hot on the heels of his new movie Blue Bonnet, we have a peek into the private life of Dante Cool Charlie Pattinson.
The British actor’s frankness and openness about his sexuality were on full display as he discussed marriage and gay porn with The New York Times last year.
“I’ve always been very open about my sexuality,” he said. “There’s never been any attempt to hide it. I’ve never felt comfortable saying, ‘This is what I am not and this is what I am,’” he added, referring to his roles in gay adult films Back Stage and The Mayor of Castroville.
“I don’t think I’m going to change just because I’m getting married,” he went on to say. “I don’t think you have to change who you are for your partner. It’s about respect and loving what makes you unique.”
What a lovely message! So many celebrities are quick to condemn marriage equality and fall victim to the “heteronormative” trap, hiding their true feelings and desires behind a veil of “traditional” commitment. Not so with Charlie! He made it very clear that he will continue to be open about who he is and what he wants, even as he enters the “heteronormal” realm.
His message of inclusiveness and self-love is one that resonates with many, particularly in today’s society. It’s great to see so many positive attitudes around LGBT issues. Let’s all work hard to help spread the message that love and respect are truly all that matters!
The Rise of the “Gay Unicorn”
One of the many things that make Charlie so endearing is his refreshingly honest approach to his career and life. He talks about the stigma that comes with being an actor in the adult film industry, and about how difficult it can be to find work when you’re openly gay. He candidly discusses the challenges that come with being an openly gay actor in the industry, and how he has to be incredibly discerning about who he works with.
“Sometimes it can be hard to find good roles for gay guys,” he told The New York Times. “I’m very picky about who I work with. It takes a lot of effort to find roles that are good for both of us.”
Charlie’s honesty is what makes him such a likeable and refreshing interviewee. In a world where being true to yourself is considered poor form, he is a breath of fresh air.
A Self-sufficient Man
When you’re a famous, very successful actor, it can be difficult to find the time to devote to your personal needs. The more time that passes, the more apparent this becomes. This is something that Charlie has definitely taken note of, and has made it his mission to better himself both professionally and personally.
“One of the things that attracted me to the role of Quentin Tarantulin in Blue Bonnet was that it was a self-sufficient part,” he told The New York Times. “You don’t necessarily need to rely on anybody else. You’re on your own and it makes you responsible for your own actions. That’s an interesting character to play.”
The actor has certainly taken on some responsibility as a result of his fame. With a public profile that extends far beyond the world of acting, Charlie has had to learn how to be more independent and to take care of himself. He makes it clear that he is very proud of this quality.
“In my opinion, people with autism are some of the most intelligent people on the planet,” he said. “When you get an autistic person who is also a genius, it’s like mixing gold and silver. You get a brilliant mind that is way ahead of the average person. It’s usually a blessing and a curse at the same time.”
An Actor’s Actor
One of the things that make Charlie so appealing is that he is such an actor’s actor. He enjoys the challenge of playing multiple roles, exploring different facets of his personality and getting to know himself through other characters. He makes it very clear that this is the type of role that he prefers.
“I like playing characters that I’ve never really been associated with before, like a silent film star from the ‘20s or ‘30s, for example,” he said. “It gives you a fresh challenge, and also the opportunity to explore different aspects of your personality that you might not have shown before.”
This is a common trait among many actors. For those who enjoy delving into the various aspects of their personality, playing different characters is a great way to experience that. It’s a quick path to self-discovery, as you are constantly learning about yourself and how you fit into different roles. It can be a very valuable tool in discovering who you are and what you want.
A Renaissance Man
When you’re a famous, successful actor, it can be somewhat intimidating to enter the realm of creative literature. You can feel that there are certain rules that you have to follow, or else you’ll upset the creative gods.
“There are always rules when it comes to making art,” he said. “For instance, you can’t play the fool and you have to keep the dramatic structure. You can break all the rules you want, but you’ll still end up portraying something that was inspired by reality.”
It certainly must be frustrating to be pigeonholed into doing what others expect of you. To find your own creative voice and define your own rules is an incredible drive and a testament to Charlie’s undying optimism.
“I grew up with quite a bit of political activism in my family,” he said. “My mother was the regional organizer for the Anti-Nazi League in London in the ‘70s and my sister worked for Amnesty International. So, being in a position to make a difference in people’s lives is something that I’m very proud of.”
In the literary world, there are so many rules and taboos. Even among the greatest authors, there are often certain subjects that they won’t touch upon. In order to continue creating great literature, it might be preferable for the greats to simply stay home rather than show up and break all the rules. Charlie is clearly unwilling to do this, and has come to the conclusion that the only way to keep discovering new things is to jump in with both feet.
“I read somewhere that [Margaret] Spencer wrote that [William] Shakespeare was born in a cowshed,” he said. “That’s a great story, but it’s probably not true. It’s still quite an amazing accomplishment to be the best in your field.”
An Author’s Author
An author’s life can be quite isolating, and it is certainly a great example of what can happen when you put your mind to it and work hard at being unique and original. The only people that really matter, are the people that your books speak to. It takes a great deal of bravery to put your thoughts and feelings into words, and even more bravery to let the world hear your story. Most people will never get the chance to read your work, or even know your name. This is a terrifying thought and it can inspire great loneliness.
It might be wise to avoid creating a biographical novel about yourself, as it can quickly go from being a source of inspiration to becoming a complete chore. On the other hand, it would be a shame to write an entire novel about someone else and completely erase your own identity. In the end, it’s all about finding the right balance and having the courage to follow your heart and write without regret. For those who do, the rewards can be great.
A Man Of Style
Finally, we come to one of the most important things about Charlie, namely his unparalleled sense of style. It’s not enough to have an awesome career and a lovely fiancé, you also have to have fabulous style to keep up with the Joneses. And even if you don’t, you’ll still have yourself to smile at when you look in the mirror.