Robert Pattinson is making headlines around the world as the next big thing in Hollywood. The British actor, model, and singer has been the focus of media speculation and blog discussions since he burst onto the scene nearly a year ago with the latest adaptation of the classic Les Miserables. Since then he’s racked up a laundry list of tabloid fodder, including an on-again, off-again romance with model and musician Alice Waters and an alleged hookup with a mystery brunette in Cannes. But is all of this true? Let’s take a closer look at the facts and figures surrounding the young actor.
An Enigmatic Face
Pattinson was born on January 4, 1986 in London, England. The youngest of three children, he grew up near Regent Park, in a grandparent-grandchild group home. He went to school in London and briefly attended the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, before dropping out to pursue a career in the arts. He then trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where he found his professional calling.
Pattinson’s work in film and television has established him as a versatile talent with a commanding presence on-screen. Many in the industry have compared him to a young Marlon Brando, perhaps even closer in their shared British roots. From his dashing good looks and chiseled features to his brooding, sensual stage presence, Pattinson exudes sexuality and danger.
The actor is often compared to J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter character for his ability to transform himself into a remarkably versatile and skilled actor. His versatile talent seems to have originated in his early life. He has claimed to have turned down roles in Harry Potter spin-offs in favor of projects that would allow him to display his acting versatility. It seems that the comparisons to Rowling’s creation are not misplaced. With each new role, Pattinson continues to prove himself to be a one-of-a-kind original.
A Wild Night In Cannes
Pattinson’s rise to fame was propelled by his role in the 2013 film adaptation of Les Miserables, directed by Tom Hooper and starring Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, and Russell Crowe. The film went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time. It currently holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Pattinson for capturing the essence of the character while also bringing a unique magnetism to the role that endeared him to audiences around the world. The film remains one of the most popular topics among fans of the series on social media platforms.
Pattinson’s performance as Émile Zola’s (Jackman’s) former student, Nana, earned him rave reviews. One critic wrote that Nana “walks, talks and breathes like a real woman … [she] makes you believe in love at first sight,” while another described him as “absolutely mesmerizing.” He continued to draw praise for his performance in the sequel, Les Misérables: The Fall of Hugo Cadant, which he also co-starred in. However, the film underperformed at the box office, earning $28 million on a $150 million budget.
Pattinson’s role as the dashing, debonair David Blake in Love Story, alongside Keira Knightley and Jack Tweed, won him a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, and his performance as a fashion photographer in the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey is poised to land him a nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards. Most recently, he portrayed British king George VI in the cinematic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s much-loved King Richard III.
An Alleged Bestiality Hookup
In February 2017, news broke that, in the summer of 2016, Pattinson had entered into a sexual relationship with a dog. The news, which broke on the online news site TMZ, alleged that a group of friends had met up with the famed actor in the dog’s owner’s home in Los Angeles. They proceeded to allegedly perform oral sex on the dog and engage in bestiality with it. The site claimed its sources had “direct knowledge” of the incident.
The next day, Page Six of The New York Times printed a similar story, citing an unnamed source close to the actor. In the article, the paper said they had spoken to a person “close to the young actor,” who they described as “a source close to the couple.” The alleged report stated that this person had claimed that while the incident was “never physically consummated,” it was “deeply emotional” for both parties involved. A representative for Pattinson said that the allegations were “categorically untrue.”
Both TMZ and The New York Times declined to publish any kind of follow-up. However, in a 2017 documentary about the young actor’s life, director Joe Berlinger revealed that a source “close to the couple” had confirmed to him the alleged facts behind the story.
A Rolling Residence
Pattinson has never been one to shy away from the camera, and his decision to make the documentary was probably borne of his desire to share his life and work with the world. The documentary explores his personal and professional journey, with footage interspersed with interviews from his friends, family, and co-stars, including his Les Miserables co-stars Seyfried and Crowe and his Love Story co-star Knightley. The film also features behind-the-scenes footage and a look at Pattinson’s homes across London and on the French Riviera. The opening scene shifts between London and Cannes as Pattinson shows his guests around his sprawling, elegantly decorated residence in the exclusive St. Regis Hotel in central London. The documentary’s debut at the Toronto International Film Festival was met with a standing ovation. Since then, it has continued to play to packed houses at international film festivals, attracting a devoted group of fans and causing a stir among those who have yet to hear of him.
A Self-proclaimed ‘Rules’ Guy
Pattinson has always been something of an enigma. While much has been made of his striking good looks and famous friends, it is his personality that endears itself to fans. The actor has been open about his love for all things “classic” and “old-school,” frequently posting photos of himself in vintage clothing on social media and going so far as to establish his own fashion label, Pattinson Rules.
In an effort to ‘rule’ his love for all things classic, Pattinson has compiled a list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ that he believes ought to be followed by anyone who aspires to emulate his style. In the list, he names a variety of high-end designers, such as John Galliano, Christian Dior, and Marc Jacobs, as well as Marlon Brando, who he says is his “personal style icon.” He also cites examples of each item on his list, explaining why he believes it to be a “classic look.” Among the rules he proposes are: