Two of the most attractive stars of their generation, Robert Pattinson and Juliet Binoche, have been lighting up the big-screen for years. Their chemistry is magic, and their onscreen adventures have been some of the most romantic and captivating films of all time. However, their personal lives have not always been so glamorous. In fact, Binoche came out of a prior relationship twice, once with director Tim Burton and once with French actor and producer Philippe Damiano. This is where we’ll explore the fascinating story of their professional and personal lives.
Making Their Mark In Hollywood
Born in Paris, France in 1981 to actor-turned-director Michael Pattinson and sociologist Marie-Anne Potier, Robert began acting at an early age. His parents were so impressed with his ability that they decided to move to Los Angeles, California to further his acting career. While his parents stayed behind in Paris to continue work on their children’s TV show, Twogether Now!—which eventually became a worldwide hit and led to further acting roles for Robert—the young Pattinson relocated to the United States in 1989 to pursue an acting career. He attended Los Angeles City College and Van Nuys Junior College, studying drama and marketing, and began appearing in small movies and TV episodes.
After graduation, he secured a small role in the 1994 horror film The Puppetmaster, and then played the lead in two TV movies and a mini-series called P.O.V.: POV (Point of View). The following year, he landed the role of Edward Cullen in the 1997 film adaptation of the Stephenie Meyer novel, Twilight. The role of the vampire Edward Cullen was initially offered to British actor and producer Robert Smith. However, Smith passed on the opportunity because he was committed to an HBO comedy called Sex and the City. When a role that fits his personality and skill-set came up, Smith recommended his friend Pattinson to the producers, who eventually gave the role to the young French-Canadian. Since then, Robert Pattinson & Juliet Binoche’s star has risen higher than ever.
Glamorous Early Years
As previously stated, Robert grew up in Paris, France with his actor parents, Michael and Marie-Anne. He has one younger brother, Giles, who is also an actor. The family then moved to London, England where they settled in Marymount Park, before eventually moving to Los Angeles, California when Robert was 16 years old.
It was in high school that Robert Pattinson first caught the eye of Hollywood, when he played the romantic lead in the 1996 Made in Hollywood teen comedy, Swimming with Sharks. The following year, he played the role of a philandering poet in the romantic comedy, One Night With Cleo. Most of his early supporting roles were in independent dramas, including Swimming With Sharks and its sequel, as well as the 1998 thriller, The Rainmaker. However, it was his role as the charming, yet brooding, Charlie Pattinson in the romantic comedy, Swimming with Sharks that put him on the map.
In 2002, he co-starred with Ashley Greene in the thriller, The Boost. The same year, he also appeared in director Terry Gilliam’s comedy, The Zero Theorem, and in the psychological thriller, The Spanish Teacher. On the big screen, his big break came in 2003, when he starred in the supernatural horror film, The Children of the Corn, and the following year he had a memorable role as the young Christian Grey in the highly anticipated adaptation of the best-selling novel, 50 Shades of Grey. In addition to starring in two box office smashes in a row, The Dark Knight and The Hunger Games, he also had a role in the latter film’s promotional tour. While promoting Hunger Games in 2012, Pattinson stated, “I don’t know what the f—k I’m supposed to be doing here. I think I should just go home.”[1]
Apart from acting, Pattinson has also been involved in humanitarian work. In 2005, he established the charity, Hands Up United Kingdom, which raises funds and awareness for the prevention of landmines. In 2006, he was the face of the global anti-child labor campaign, Free the Children, participating in a high-profile public service announcement imploring parents to boycott brands manufactured in countries where child labor is prevalent. In 2019, he became an UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on the issue of child poverty. Since 2000, he has been actively campaigning for the preservation of rainforests and endangered species, and has been critical of the fashion industry’s influence on driving rainforest destruction. He has also been vocal in his opposition to climate change, and has spoken out against the use of single-use plastic.
The Unfortunate Implications Of Binoche’s Prior Relationships
While Robert Pattinson’s star lighted up the big screen in the early 2000s, it was the turning of the decade that saw his personal life become tabloid fodder. In 2006, he began a relationship with English model and actress Emily Blunt. However, it was not long before their romance became headline news. In 2008, Blunt gave birth to their daughter, Edie. Two years later, the couple became engaged. In 2018, the couple wed in a private ceremony in Paris, France. The following year, they welcomed their first child together, a boy named Jeb.
As well as being linked to the Hollywood hot-shot, Emily Blunt’s prior relationships include Joe Biden’s granddaughter, Anna, and Irish singer-songwriter Richard Harris. Binoche has also been previously married, to French actor and producer Philippe Damiano. They were married for seven years before splitting in 2004. Just like Robert Pattinson, Juliet Binoche has been plagued by rumors of her infidelity. In 2018, after many years of denying the rumors, Binoche admitted that Damiano did, in fact, engage in an extramarital affair while she was married to him. The couple later filed for divorce, and have since maintained a respectful friendship.
Robert Pattinson’s Present Day
Since 2006, Robert Pattinson has maintained a very private life, rarely appearing in public or in media interviews. Aside from the aforementioned 2018 interview where he spoke of his cheating ex-wife, the only known revelation of his personal life is in 2017, where he admitted to having a daughter with Emily Blunt. In fact, the only other time he has spoken about his personal life is when he referred to himself as a “recovering addict” in a 2016 interview with GQ. He has also been very open about his dislike of excessive alcohol and his dedication to fitness. In 2018, he spoke with Harper’s Bazaar about his well-deserved reputation for being private:
“You are constantly amazed when you see people’s reactions. Like, ‘Oh my God, he’s so private! How can he be so private?’ I don’t know. It’s the other way around. I don’t want to be the subject of public discussion. I don’t think it’s good for you as a person. I don’t even like to think about it. It doesn’t do any good. So please don’t ask.”
In a 2016 online interview with British Vogue, the actor went into further detail about why he doesn’t like to dwell in the public eye:
“I just want my private life to remain private. I want to keep my family together. I’ve been very fortunate to have a good relationship with my ex-wife, but I don’t want to screw it up. So I keep my personal life as private as possible. I don’t even like talking about my feelings or relationships. It’s not good for you. Besides, it’s not even that I have anything to hide. I just don’t want to be judged.”
At this point, it would be fair to say that Robert Pattinson & Juliet Binoche’s private lives are fairly interesting. Even their professional lives hold enough intrigue for a Hollywood novel. From Twilight to The Dark Knight to The Hunger Games, many of their adventures as public figures have been filled with drama. This is most likely because they are both famous for their charm and good looks. While Pattinson’s charm comes from his boyish, unassuming nature and ability to bring humor to dark situations, Binoche is the epitome of beauty and class. One of the most recognizable faces in the world, she has graced the covers of numerous famous magazines and been named one of the “50 Most Beautiful Women In The World” by People Magazine. Additionally, Binoche has been nominated for six Academy Awards, winning once for her performance in 2012’s Agnes of God. However, aside from acting, she has also been involved in numerous humanitarian causes, including the anti-child labor campaign, Free the Children, the United Nations Development Program, and the World Wildlife Fund.