At first, everyone was in awe of Tom Pattinson’s epic hair transformation. The British actor’s hair has been the source of endless discussion, with fans pondering whether Pattinson’s haircut was a bold statement against ageism or a symptom of a deeper trend. It was certainly unique, standing out among the sea of white hair that seems to be popular among Hollywood’s older stars.
While the actor’s iconic hairstyle undoubtedly caused a stir, it wasn’t the first time Pattinson went down this route. Back in 2012, during his stint on The London Olympics opening ceremony, he cut off all his hair and became an homage to Marjorie Merriweather Post, the founder of the American beauty brand Estée Lauder. For his appearance at the 2018 Academy Awards, Pattinson again sported a haircut that was inspired by the rich and famous, this time paying homage to the designers Dior. And for his latest turn in the dystopian film trilogy ‘Dark Peak’, Pattinson chopped his hair into a short and steely hairstyle that looked amazing on-screen.
It Was A Trend Amongst The Aged Stars
Pattinson is far from being the only aging actor to sport a distinct haircut. Indeed, it appears that many older stars had a thing for short, stylish haircuts in the ‘70s and ‘80s, with Michael Caine, now 88, donning a bowl-cut for his role in the 1978 film ‘Funeral Parade’.
The trend was most famously associated with the golden era of Hollywood, which saw the rise of the ‘baby boomers’ and the subsequent demand for quick, easy hairstyles. This trend was adopted by the Hollywood elite, with many stars opting for short hair in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Jack Nicholson, 81, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1979 film ‘Terms of Endearment’, famously cut his hair in a style similar to Pattinson’s, while Marjorie Merriweather Post, the eponymous founder of the Estée Lauder company, grew her hair until the end, at the age of 102. In 2018, Lily Collins, 21, made headlines for cutting off all her hair and donating it to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hair accessories and wigs for those experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment. More recently, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, trimmed her hair into a bob, which she has worn on several occasions.
Pattinson Cut Off All Of His Hair In 2018
Speaking of salons for the elderly, the demand for hair restoration treatment hit an all-time high in 2018, with customers turning to hair transplants to make up for the thinning hair caused by age and gravity. The trend was particularly evident amongst those sporting short hair, with men opting for a more mature look and women wanting something youthful and vibrant. The most popular hairstyle amongst those opting for hair restoration treatment was the bald cap, which accounts for 38% of all the procedures completed in 2018.
Pattinson isn’t the only celebrity to go au naturelle with his hair in recent years. In 2017, the Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe trimmed his hair into a stylish, short haircut, while the Grand Tour host Richard Simmons, now 77, sported a neat, short haircut and a neat beard throughout his life, even in his old photographs. In 2018, Liam Gallagher cut off all his hair as well and became an unofficial ambassador for PETA, encouraging men to go au naturelle as well.
Pattinson’s Short-Lipped Friends
Thanks to the rise of TikTok, we were brought back to the ‘70s and ‘80s in a big way in 2018. Many celebrities have taken to TikTok, with fans praising their ‘great music’ and ‘cool fashion’ as well as their hair. While many have been quick to adopt the hashtag #AHA20 and hailed the ‘Greatest Show Since…’ 20th anniversary season, it seems that not all of their style choices will age well. Tom Pattinson is usually photographed with a mischievous grin and a twinkle in his eye. Even in profile, his mouth is slightly open, as if he were about to say something hilarious. Many of his famous friends share his love of comedy and teasing, with Jack Black, 54, comparing the British actor to “a coked-up version of Robin Williams.”
Perhaps this is why his fans have taken to social media to share their joy at seeing him laugh. Here is a selection of some of the best tweets:
A Great Place To Post A Self-Portrait
While many have been quick to hail Pattinson’s latest style choice as the ‘greatest transformation’ and an ‘inspiration’, it seems that not all of his stylings will age well. For years, fans have been debating whether his penchant for short, stylish haircuts is a bold statement against ageism or a symptom of a deeper trend. With so many of his famous friends sporting short and sweet hairstyles in the ‘70s and ‘80s, this trend could very well be inspired by Pattinson’s unique sense of humor, which sees him often sporting a playful grin and a twinkle in his eye—two classic signs of a ‘70s vibe.