There’s no question that Robert Pattinson is one of the biggest movie stars around today. With a career that spans decades and includes blockbusters, award-winning films, and popular music videos, it’s safe to say that his presence is felt onscreen and off.
Born on October 25, 1982 in London, England, UK, to musician David Pattinson and journalist Rosanna Michell, the actor grew up in a world of celebrity and attended London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) for acting. After graduating in 2004, he relocated to Los Angeles to take on film and TV roles. Today, he’s arguably best known for his role as Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga, though he’s also had significant parts in the Harry Potter films, the Guy Ritchie movie King Arthur, and the 2015 John Wick film. In 2017, he was ranked #6 on Forbes’ “Celebrity 100 List,” making him one of the highest-paid celebrities in the world.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of his work or have just discovered it, read on for more about life after college and the actor’s interesting career trajectory.
Pattinson On The Road To Stardom
When it comes to Robert Pattinson’s acting career, it’s important to remember where he came from. The British actor grew up watching his parents’ work, first gaining exposure to acting in school plays and later taking classes with veteran English actor Bill Travers. He then went on to attend prestigious London drama school, graduating with a Bachelors in 2004.
Pattinson began his acting career in earnest in 2005, landing a role in the musical film Hairspray alongside American rapper John Legend. He subsequently appeared in the big-budget movie The Duchess, before earning critical praise for his starring role in the indie comedy-drama YWIGS. Written and directed by Stephen Merchant, the 2004 film focuses on the friendships and romances that develop within the exclusive inner circle of a group of Oxford freshmen.
The role secured Pattinson a place on the 2004 A Wrinkle in Time, which also featured the work of future Twilight co-star Anna Kendrick. The two were photographed together on set, sparking rumors of an on-screen relationship. They’ve since gone on to act in several films together, including the 2009 drama The Lady which saw them play mother and son, and the 2015 heist movie Central Station.
Pattinson later starred alongside Tom Hanks in the 2007 movie The Golden Compass. The fantasy adventure movie was based on the first of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, with the young actor playing the Weasley twin Percy. Though the role was relatively small compared to his other work, it was a major leap in terms of character and story, revealing a darker and more brooding side to the actor.
The Twilight Saga
In 2008, Robert Pattinson was cast as vampire Edward Cullen in Stephenie Meyer’s young adult novel Twilight. The movie adaptation was a colossal success, grossing over $400 million at the box office and becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. It’s now considered a “cult classic,” with many fans and critics praising the acting and directing, including Tom Hanks who called the film “magical.”
Though the movie franchise is now a huge draw on its own, it was initially a modest hit. The first installment, Twilight, was released in 2011, followed by the sequel New Moon in 2012. The third film, Eclipse, was released in 2013, and the final installment, Breaking Dawn – Part 1, was released in 2014. Each movie in the series has performed well at the box office, and they’ve all been highly acclaimed by critics.
The Twilight Saga is one of the biggest movie franchises of all time. The first three films have collectively earned over $1 billion worldwide, and that’s not even counting the sequels. Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and Part 2 are currently the highest-grossing films of all time, with the latter earning over $500 million worldwide. The series is undoubtedly one of the most popular movie franchises of all time, and it’s been credited with jump-starting the vampire craze that’s even today seen in pop culture.
Other Film And TV Work
Aside from the Twilight Saga, the actor is perhaps most well-known for his role as the dashing and troubled Quentin Tarantulin in the 2010 crime thriller The Boy Next Door, a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Michael Arndt. In 2018, he co-starred with Charlize Theron in the thriller Bombshell, and recently wrapped production on the highly anticipated 2020 epic fantasy film The King’s Arrow. That same year, he also starred in the musical feature film The Greatest Showman, based on the songs of Hugh Jackman.
Additionally, he’s made occasional appearances on TV, including a guest role on the fifth season of Once Upon a Time in 2019, though he’s perhaps best known for his recurring role as Harvey Milk on the Amazon series The Man in the High Castle. He’s also appeared in several films directed by Martin Scorsese, including the 2006 crime thriller The Departed and the upcoming 2020 film The Irishman. On the small screen, he’s starred in the BBC series The Pale King and turned in an acclaimed performance as the title character in the Netflix series The King.
Pattinson has also lent his voice to numerous English-speaking video games, including the Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty series. For many, he’s become the quintessential “bad boy” celebrity, renowned for his bold choice of clothing and interesting lifestyle. He’s often photographed wearing his hair in a high-standing bun, sunglasses, and even a dog collar. And while we’re on the subject, let’s not forget about his pet dog, Sky, a Staffordshire Terrier named after the dog that appeared in the movie Hairspray. Sky has accompanied the actor to every major event and fashion campaign he’s been involved in since he first got the pooch as a puppy. They even went on a stroll down the red carpet at the 2014 Golden Globe Awards together!
Pattinson As A Style Icon
In 2019, designer Stephen Burks created a capsule wardrobe for the actor, entitled “The BOB,” inspired by his unique blend of style and attitude. Burks designed the capsule wardrobe with the aim of creating a collection comprising of essential garments for different occasions. The wardrobe is made up of a white shirt, dark suit jacket, pin-striped trousers, and white dress shirt. Each piece is designed in a modern take on vintage styling, with a twist. The pieces are completed with a handkerchief and a gold badge, in reference to the actor’s initials, which is embroidered on the jacket.
The collection was first exhibited at Burks’ London Fashion Week venue, Burks London, with the designer later posting a video to his Instagram account revealing the pieces and their designs.
Though fashion fans may know him as the quintessential bad boy of Hollywood, it’s important to remember that behind the scenes, the actor is a devoted family man. The main squeeze, Rosanna, whom he married in 2015, has been by his side throughout his entire career, and the two are often sighted together onscreen and off, enjoying each other’s company.
Style And Lifestyle
The fashion style of Robert Pattinson has been the subject of much speculation and discussion over the years. While some may associate his unique brand of style with bad-boy bravado, behind the scenes, it’s clear that his fashion choices are rooted in a unique and interesting personality.
From his distinctive dress sense, which often features bold and quirky fashion choices, to his unique brand of sneaker collecting, the list of things about the actor that stand out is long.
In 2005, while still in his teens, Pattinson began to gain a reputation for his unconventional style. Already a respected actor, the young starlet brought a fresh perspective to his roles in movies like Hairspray, finding new depth and dimension in a project that many felt overshadowed by its cast and plot. He made his fashion debut at the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, walking the runway in an elaborate red and black get-up based on the outfits worn by Marlon Brando in the film, The Godfather.
Perhaps Pattinson’s most eye-catching fashion moment came in 2016, when his stylings were put on display at London Fashion Week. At the Tommy Hilfiger show, the actor was photographed wearing an intricately styled headpiece that was so impressive, it won him an award. Naturally, his fashionable choices have not gone unnoticed, with publications like Women’s Health naming him one of the sexiest men of the decade. Looking to the future, it’s clear that while he may have followed a steady path to success, it’s been a journey of adventure and style.