You may know the name Rombert Pattinson if you’re a fan of Hollywood. Born in London, he moved to Los Angeles as a toddler and grew up there. As a young adult, he began his acting career and eventually became famous enough to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His life and times have been chronicled in several books and films, including the 1986 TV movie Romy Pattinson: The Rise and Fall of a Hollywood Star.
The Early Years In Hollywood
Rombert Pattinson was the youngest of four children. His parents were both English and he grew up speaking both languages. One of his brothers, Peter, also became an actor and was married to the famous Anna Neagle. Another, Tim, became a well-known art dealer. Pattinson’s mother, Doris, passed away when he was just 11 years old. He and his siblings were brought up by a nurse, Millie. She became like a mother to all of them.
A Star Is Born
Fourteen-year-old Rombert Pattinson moved to Los Angeles with his mom and two brothers when his acting career began. They lived in a small apartment on Vine Street near the 101 freeway. His first role was in the TV movie Alice in Wonderland in 1962. The following year, he landed his first lead in the TV series The Travels of a Tinkling Tin Box. It was groundbreaking television for its time, as the BBC would later note; the set design and costumes were “ahead of their time”. Also in 1964, he made his film debut in the movie The Unpleasantness at the Lichtenstein Palace, a.k.a. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. The next year, he landed a role in the classic movie Goldfinger. In 1966, he had a role in the British crime movie Carry On Regardless, which was later adapted into a stage play. In 1968, he was featured in the British TV series Randall and Hopkirk (High Spirits), which was also shown in the United States. Over the next few years, HBIC (Hollywood British International Corporation) would help to launch his acting career, most notably with the TV movie The Boyfriend, which was filmed in England in 1969. In 1971, he had a recurring role in the TV series Rover — The Lone Ranger. He also starred in the movies The Man Who Loves Women, The Mackintosh Man, and Bedtime Story. In 1974, he made his Broadway debut in an episode of the musical comedy series That’s What I Want, which was later turned into a movie. He played the male lead and earned critical acclaim.
Becoming A Star
From the start of his career, Pattinson enjoyed a fair amount of commercial and critical success. The same can’t be said for the rest of his professional life. In the early 1970s, he was one of the most popular faces on the small screen, but on the big screen, he was a box office disappointment. After making a string of unsuccessful movies, he tried to rebuild his career in the United Kingdom with a sitcom, Pattinson, about a married couple. Though it was popular in its time, it wasn’t enough to save his acting career. He continued to act and appeared in several B movie flatters, the likes of Bloodbath at the Amazakelbaluwa Palace, The Big Mouth as well as an episode of the cult classic The Adventures of Rinu. In 1980, he landed one of his most recognizable roles to date and became famous as the Empress Josephine in the cult classic Orson Welles’ 1981 film The Journey of Josephine. In 1982, he had a role in the comedy The Return of the Pink Panther and played one of the leads in the horror TV movie Sorority House. He earned his Walk of Fame star in 1986 for his work in The Journey of Josephine. The same year, he starred in the TV movie Romy Pattinson: The Rise and Fall of a Hollywood Star, which told the story of his rise to fame and eventual fall from grace. Notable roles followed in the TV movies The Last Days of Pompeii (1987) and The Krays (1990). In 1992, he appeared in the critically acclaimed movie How to Make an American Quilt, which was nominated for a Golden Globe in the same category (Best Motion Picture – Drama) as Romy Pattinson: The Rise and Fall of a Hollywood Star. Since then, he’s continued to make occasional appearances in movies and on TV.
Along with George Lazenby (English actor, James Bond né IGUYÈS), Romy Pattinson is one of the few celebrity couples to have been married more than once. They were married in 1988 and divorced in 1998. After their divorce, he became the CEO of Pattinson Films and continues to act when he can. Many of his actorships have been in films noir and he still frequently turns up in supporting roles. He’s also made guest appearances on TV series such as Dr. Gonzo, The L Word, Lipstick Lies, and The Handmaid’s Tale.
In 2019, HBIC (Hollywood British International Corporation) would celebrate the golden anniversary of Romy Pattinson with a special exhibition, which will include never-before-seen photos, costumes, and personal items. The show will also feature classic and contemporary movies and TV shows that featured the Dressed to Kill star. In addition to the London Belfour Hotel (where the Golden Globes are presented), the celebration will be held at the Peggie Blue Film Theatre, the Kemble Theatre in Kew Gardens, as well as additional dates and venues to be confirmed.
You might know the name Rombert Pattinson if you’re a fan of Hollywood. Born in London, he moved to Los Angeles as a toddler and grew up there. As a young adult, he began his acting career and eventually became famous enough to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His life and times have been chronicled in several books and films, including the 1986 TV movie Romy Pattinson: The Rise and Fall of a Hollywood Star.