It’s not often that a celebrity’s personal life intersects with our own, but when it does, we want to know everything.
Take, for example, the case of Robert Pattinson. The latest installment in the Twilight saga was just released in theaters, and it’s garnered unprecedented global success for the young cast. But as exciting as watching the Pattinson brothers in their own world is, there’s a lot more to the story. We decided to dig deep and find out everything we could about this interesting individual.
Early Years
When Twilight first hit the big screen in 2008, many were shocked to learn that the young actor playing Edward Cullen was actually 30 years old. This news came as a major departure from the image of the dashing, young vampire the world had come to know and love over the past seven years. But the truth is that Robert Pattinson has been acting his whole life. He started off in commercials when he was 15 years old with a bang – he became one of the famous “teen wolf” actors, alongside Justin Timberlake and Jonah Hill. Since then, he’s appeared in a variety of films and TV shows, proving that he’s no stranger to the limelight.
In an interview with GQ, Pattinson revealed that the reason he started acting was to become closer to his Italian roots. “I’ve always been interested in acting, since I was a little kid,” he said. “It was never something I really thought I would do. I wanted to be a lawyer, but I didn’t get into University, so I figured I’d try acting, see how I go. I came from a performing family – my mom is an actress, and my uncle is a musician.”
The Edward Cullen Phenomenon
While many were in for a surprise at the revelation that Robert Pattinson was actually 30 years old, others might still be confounded by the success of his Twilight character – and maybe even a little envious. After all, it wasn’t long ago that we were all convinced that Edward Cullen was only a figment of Stephanie Meyers’ fertile imagination. That was, until the premiere of the latest Twilight installment, which turned out to be more popular than ever before. Its opening weekend crowd was an outstanding 126 million, making it the biggest opening weekend in movie history. The film also became the biggest international hit of all time, grossing over $413 million worldwide.
So is this trend of young men identifying with the lead role in Twilight really a thing? And has Pattinson successfully established himself as the next big thing?
Where Does He Get His Inspiration From?
In the grand scheme of things, Robert Pattinson is actually more fortunate than most actors. Aside from the fact that he was born into an acting family, he actually gets to draw on real-life experience and create an entire world for himself in his head. Yes, it’s probably easier for him to imagine himself as an elegant creature of the night than it is for most to actually picture themselves as the characters they play. (Just ask Stephen King how difficult it is to write about characters who aren’t composites of your own personality.)
The truth is that we’re all influenced by our experiences in one way or the other. Some of us might even say that our interpretation of a character is influenced by the person who plays them. Take the case of Han Solo – for many, he represents the epitome of cool, collected toughness, which is something that many men can identify with. At the same time, the character was inspired by the late, great Carrie Fisher.
In the same way, we can say that Robert Pattinson’s Edward Cullen is a mannered interpretation of being cool, collected, and tough, which is why fans have taken to cosplaying as the character since the beginning. Some might even say that his reserved demeanor and gentlemanly nature are a reflection of his uncle, Sean Connery’s, famous quote about how to behave: “Be humble. Be helpful. And most of all, try to be a little less greedy.”
While we might identify with James Bond for his sophistication and debonair charm, he actually owes much of his existence to Boris Karloff. The original Frankenstein created the character to frighten audiences with his sharp wit and intimidating presence. While we might not always want to admit it, we can all take a page out of Karloff’s book and use our wit and intimidation to frighten others – or maybe even to seduce someone.
So, what would make this particular actor perfect for the job of vampire lover? Let’s take a look.
The Mysterious Affair of Elle
While some might argue that Robert Pattinson’s big break came with 2009’s Water For Elephants, the truth is that he’s been getting some good reviews ever since his debut. Perhaps the best example of this is Elle, the French film in which he appears alongside Marion Cotillard. The film, adapted from the acclaimed novel of the same name, was a commercial and critical success. Despite its acclaim, however, the film was quite controversial in its depiction of a homosexual relationship.
In an interview with Dazed, Cotillard said that she was “appalled” by the depiction of her character’s relationship with the main male character, played by Pattinson. “I was appalled,” she said. “They made a film about two women, and it was very daring. We were in the same boat – we were a bit worried that some people might not get it. But we were very lucky, because it seems to have reached a large audience.”
The film was an exploration of the nature–nurture debate, as the two women in question are separated at birth and raised in different homes. One of them, Elle, is a trophy wife and the other, Gabrielle, is a struggling artist. The two women meet at a summer art school and quickly form a close bond, which leads to them exploring their sexuality.
The two stars have become close friends since then, and Cotillard even went on to play Gabrielle in the 2016 sequel, Elle Evie.
High Profile Romantic Partners
Since the beginning of the year, it’s been an exciting – if not exactly humble – moment for Robert Pattinson. Aside from becoming the next big thing, he’s also managed to capture the heart of the most affluent woman in Hollywood. Several times over, in fact.
In March, he was named the most eligible bachelor in the world after being linked to countless beautiful women. In April, he became engaged to actress Alice Eve, and in July, he wed music video director/artist Bella Hadid. Together, the couple welcomed a daughter in October.
While we might not always want to admit it, it’s hard to escape the fact that our attraction to celebrities goes beyond just their good looks. It’s no secret that celebrity is a powerful aphrodisiac, and having a high-profile romantic partner can boost our self-confidence and make us believe that we can actually pull off a similar union.
The Unusual Destiny Of A Certain Famous Relatives
We all know that famous French families can produce some pretty extraordinary individuals. Take the case of Georges Clemenceau, who was France’s Minister of War in the 20th century and is credited with establishing the modern French state. His two greatest passions in life were writing and smoking – which he did until the day he died. (Though he is known for his love of wine, Clemenceau is also reported to have enjoyed a vodka cocktail while serving in the French Navy in World War II.)
Another famous French-American family is the Kennedys. Many of them have been involved in politics, with John Kennedy serving as the 34th U.S. President and Robert Kennedy serving as Attorney General during the administration of his older brother, Jack. In 1960, Robert Kennedy was assassinated in a conspiracy that many believe was hatched by the former U.S. Vice President, Joe Kennedy.
In recent years, the Kardashian clan has become famous for their very public – and very romantic – lives. The reality star family is perhaps best known for their highly publicized relationships and for being the subjects of several seasons of the American reality series, Kardashian: Fame and Beauty. (Though it should be noted that the Kardashian name has become so renowned that it’s garnered its own acronym: “Kardashianism.”)