There are so many things we don’t know about actor Robert Pattinson. From his music taste to what he likes to do in his spare time, the English actor is undoubtedly one of the most interesting people of our time. Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about him.
He Was Born In London
The first thing you need to know about Robert Pattinson is that he was born in London on August 20, 1982. According to the biography What Is Killing Me, Pattinson’s mother was a drug addict who started using crack and heroin when he was a child. She eventually landed in Folsom Prison for drug-related crimes. After she got out, she began working as a house cleaner to make ends meet. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before she was back in prison for non-payment of rent. This time she was incarcerated for 2 years.
Pattinson’s father was a traveling salesman. When he was 10 years old, the family moved to Italy so his dad could pursue his dreams. After a while, they settled in England, where Pattinson grew up. He went to local school, then onto the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he graduated in 2004.
He Was Raised In A Church Going Family
Even though he wasn’t raised in a religious household, Pattinson’s family attended church regularly. In fact, they went to a church every Monday night for the service. This continued into high school, where they would have church weekly and go on retreats during the summer. The biographer of Pattinson’s parents, David Godfrey, said the family still goes to church on a regular basis. They also attend occasional retreats. However, there is no longer a requirement that Pattinson’s parents partake in the church activities. According to Godfrey, the family has chosen to focus on their children’s education and development, which he says is a testament to the faith and trust they have in Jesus Christ.
His Favorite Book Is Nicholas Nickleby
One of the things we know about Robert Pattinson is that he is a voracious reader. In fact, he has read over 100 books. The actor has expressed a special connection to the book Nicholas Nickleby, which he has called “a classic.” The 1847 novel, which is largely centered around the titular character, is set in Victorian England and draws heavily from Dickens’s own childhood. It tells the story of a young man’s rise through the ranks of the English social system. The novel is replete with elaborate descriptions of clothing and hairstyles, as well as the values and mores of the period. Many of its phrases and sentences remain in common use even today. For instance, the expression ‘to pull a fast one over on someone’ comes from the novel.
He Has A Love-Hate Relationship With Cameras
There is another thing you need to know about Robert Pattinson. The actor doesn’t like to be photographed. In fact, he despises the camera and has even said he would rather break up with a girlfriend than let her take his picture. It is unclear why he feels this way, but he has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be viewed in the same light as celebrities. In 2015, he told the New York Times, “I detest being photographed. I don’t even like being in pictures generally. I think it’s a bit of a creep-out for people.”
He Is A Musician
Nowadays, whenever we think of famous musicians, names like Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon immediately come to mind. But, in fact, Robert Pattinson is a musician too. He played the guitar and composed music in his early teens. Then, in 2009, he formed a band with some of his friends called Death To Kitsch. They played several shows in London before breaking up a year later. Since then, he has continued composing music and performing with his new band, Badalamenti.
He Is An Epicurean
Epicurus was a renowned Greek philosopher-poet who lived during the latter half of the fifth century BC. His philosophy was based on the premise that pleasure is the meaning and purpose of life. According to the biography ‘The Epicurean Art of Loving’, written by David Leeming, Pattinson is certainly someone who adheres to Epicurus’ teachings. The English actor has cited his affinity for this ancient philosophical school of thought as one of the influences behind his character. In 2014, he said he is “the most normal person walking the earth” and credits Epicurus with making him the person he is today.
He Is A Filmmaker
In 2009, after his band broke up, Pattinson began working on a film about the life of English writer Francis Bacon. The project, which was eventually titled The Madness of King George, was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards, including the Grand Prix at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. It also marked the director’s debut. Since then, he has continued to direct and write films. In addition to his work in film, he also has a producing credit on the upcoming Pattinson-directed biopic on Kurt Cobain, which is due for release in 2020.
He Is An Animal Lover
One of the things you probably didn’t know about Robert Pattinson is that he is an animal lover. The actor has a menagerie of pets, including dogs, cats, and even a rabbit. He also keeps fish in an indoor pond. But, above all, he has a soft spot for horses. According to the biography What Is Killing Me, his grandparents bought him a horse when he was 12 years old. He grew up riding and competing in shows in England. Even now, he owns a horse named Daisy, whom he has ridden in several films. In 2018, he made headlines when he revealed that he had proposed to his girlfriend, FKA Twigs, on the back of a sleigh driven by reindeer.
He Is A Foodie
Last but not least, we have the foodie part of our story. As we’ve established, Robert Pattinson is a man of eclectic tastes. He enjoys dining out, but also makes time for his favorite eateries back home. He is a big fan of restaurants run by famous chefs. In 2018, he even expressed a desire to open his own restaurant. As for what kind of food he would serve, he has said he would opt for classic British dishes like Scotch eggs and Bangers and mash. Interestingly, while he has a passion for food, he rarely eats what he watches on screen. For example, he doesn’t usually eat ice cream, due to its similarity to cocaine.
There is a lot more you probably didn’t know about Robert Pattinson. From the moment you read this article, you’ll want to know everything about him. Luckily, now that you know these 10 things, it’s easier to find out more. For example, you can go to his website, robertpattinson.com, or his Twitter account, @Ro_Paulson, to see what else he’s up to. Do you have any other interesting things you’d like to know about him? Please feel free to leave us a comment below!