A Break From The Norm
Even those who were not around at the time will likely remember the tragic passing of Robert Pattinson (born July 20, 1986). The world lost a beautiful soul with a brilliant talent and a passionate heart in April 2014, when he was only 26 years old. The Twilight Saga star was on a motorbike ride with a friend in Los Angeles when he collided with a van, suffering major injuries including a broken pelvis and a fractured femur. It was a terrible accident that many people feel haunted him the rest of his life. What caused the accident is still somewhat of a mystery, as neither of the drivers involved – a 54-year-old man nor a 37-year-old woman – have come forward and admitted to fault. Nevertheless, as part of their $100 million lawsuit, the two women blame the actor for the entire accident and seek damages for the “emotional distress, inconvenience, harm and loss” they suffered due to it. Who will pay the claims of the van drivers, whose financial state the women blame on Pattinson?
In the wake of his passing, fans of all ages have been showing their support by donning their favorite Spiderman or Batman costume and taking to the streets to remember Bob. Some have said that he was undoubtedly a brilliant actor with a wonderful sense of humor, and it is easy to see why he will be remembered for portraying the complex, yet lovable and appealing character of Edward Cullen in Twilight. For those on a spiritual level, fans have been taking the time to post their own heartfelt tributes to the actor on social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook.
However, although these fans have been showing their love and support for Bob by donning their costumes, many have been quick to judge the driver or van drivers involved in the accident. Despite the fact that neither they nor the other motorcyclists involved in the accident have come forward and admitted to fault, people are still calling them “thugs” and “criminals” for not stopping to help and instead choosing to flee the scene as soon as possible. What do you think? Should they have stayed and helped? Could the accident have been avoided if one of the bikers had stopped to help?
As the police continue to investigate the cause of the accident and the Twilight actors and crew continue to grieve the loss of their friend and co-worker, let us take a moment to remember Bob and his talent. Let us also take this chance to remind everyone that even the most unlikely circumstances can lead to something good. Perhaps, by remembering Bob’s life and work, we can help others avoid making the same mistakes.
A True Renaissance Man
Bob was born and raised in London. He began acting at the age of three and moved to Los Angeles to further his career at the age of fourteen. He was a true Renaissance man, who was well-versed in several artistic fields. In addition to being a talented actor, he was also a musician, dancer, and painter. On top of that, he was a published poet with three books of poems to his name. It is no wonder that he was able to create such a unique character in Edward Cullen – a character that was both an outsider and very much of the norm.
In the weeks following the accident, we learned that Bob was indeed a complicated person. While he was very caring and generous to a fault, he was also very jealous and protective of his privacy. He was also very intelligent, with a broad range of interests. However, although he had an IQ of 190 according to multiple sources, he did not like to talk or show off his intelligence. He was a very private person and did not like to put himself forward. He preferred to let his work do the talking for him.
“I’m not really the type of person who goes around saying, ‘Look how clever I am.’ I think people might find that a bit annoying. I think that’s why I’m a bit shy about the whole intelligent thing,” he told Playboy in 2009.
While these facts may come as no great surprise to dedicated Twilight fans, it is still rather interesting to learn more about the private Bob. It is clear that his complicated nature and unusual habits made him an interesting, if not slightly puzzling person. But that is only if you knew him well. Take a look below the surface and you will discover a completely different and intriguing person. You will see that there was more to Bob than meets the eye.
Pattinson Family Crest
The name Pattinson is an anglicized version of the Gaelic Pat ðŋonáin (Patience). The family crest is a harp in the Scottish colors (green and white) – an ode to the famous Scottish clan, the Earls of Kinnoull. It was originally designed in the 17th century by a family member, George Paton. The family name was initially spelled Patton, but they later chose to be referred to as Patons to avoid confusion with the aforementioned earls. It seems that George was not the only one trying to avoid trouble – a number of famous Scottish clans did the same, taking on the name Patton or changing their surname to something similar – to avoid being confused with the Scottish aristocrats.
Although Bob never really talked about his family, it is known that he was very close to his mother, Patience, who died in 2007. His father, Donald, has remarried and has a stepson named Sebastian from his previous marriage. Don and Sebastian were both incredibly supportive of their son’s acting career and helped him to navigate the often-curious world of celebrity. Sebastian even starred alongside his stepbrother in a 2014 film adaptation of the literary classic, The Time Traveler’s Wife.
The Early Years
Bob Pattinson made his acting debut at the age of three, appearing in commercials and TV shows. He went on to star in numerous major productions including the Disney animated series, Zixxie’s Big Wish, and the 2008 fantasy-adventure film, Clash of the Titans. In addition to acting, he also produced, co-wrote, and directed multiple shorts and music videos. It was during this time that he began to show an interest in mythology and fantasy. He made his directorial debut with the short film, My Pet Cemetery, in 2011. The following year, he released his first feature-length film, The Midnight Hour, a supernatural drama set in the 1920s. Despite some rather unexpected negative reviews, the movie went on to become a moderate success, eventually grossing $24 million worldwide. In 2014, he released his third and final film, Eclipse, a reunion of sorts with his Breaking Dawn co-stars, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (brother of the actor). Interestingly, Eclipse was his first movie to make over $100 million worldwide. It was only recently that he began working on a sequel to Twilight, where he plays the role of Edward Cullen.
A Life Lived In Art
It is not difficult to see how Bob Pattinson was so taken with mythology and fantasy. He spent much of his childhood surrounded by art, especially painting and sculpture. He went on to study art history at the London College of Commerce, eventually becoming the college’s graduation ambassador. While studying, he spent his time painting and drawing, often focusing on Celtic artwork and mythology. He continued to paint and show his work during the years that followed. In 2009, he showcased a number of his paintings at a gallery in L.A. and sold several pieces, including a beautiful rendition of the Greek goddess, Aphrodite.
The next year, he had a solo exhibition in London, displaying more than 100 of his works and selling out the entire three-floor loft space in under an hour. The following September, he had another solo show in London, where he sold more than 150 pieces in under three hours. In 2012, he was invited to show his work at the prestigious Royal Academy in London, where he sold out his entire exhibition in just over an hour, again showcasing more than 100 works and further establishing his reputation as a talented artist. It was at this time that he began selling his work internationally, mostly to Europe and the Middle East. In 2013, he was invited to show his work in Taiwan and later that year, in Australia – his first time heading Down Under – where he once again had a solo exhibition and sold out all of the available space. In the winter of 2013, he was also asked to be a judge for the Turner Prize, the greatest art prize in the United Kingdom and one of the world’s most prestigious art awards. It is only right that an artist as talented and dedicated to their craft as Bob should be recognized for their efforts and their contribution to society.