If you’ve even considered being a movie star, you’ll know that it’s a pretty surreal life. You’ll have massive fans who love and support you, even before you’ve stepped out of the spotlight. But, as soon as you do, all that support disappears. The harsh realisation that millions of people rely on you for entertainment and you have no control over what they think or how they act once you’re no longer in front of the camera hits you like a brick. It’s a strange, yet incredibly addictive feeling. You want to go back for more. But, eventually, you’ll have to accept that this is what life as a Hollywood star is all about. You’ve got one job, and one job only: show up and promote. Every role that you play is pre-written and perfectly timed to grab viewers’ attention. You have no control over whether or not people like you or your work. That’s the nature of show business. It makes you realise that no matter how much you love acting, the job can be incredibly demanding. It takes a lot of courage to step out of the limelight and take a break. But, for Kristen and Robert Pattinson, marriage and parenthood were more important than pursuing fame and fortune in Hollywood. The couple decided to call time on their acting careers to focus on family and their newfound passion for writing. It was a brave move, and one that paid off. They’re the perfect role models for other aspiring actors and actresses. Here, we’ll explore how they’ve managed to stay so successful despite the odds against them, and what their future holds. So, let’s take a trip back in time to the beginning of their acting career.

The Early Beginnings

Kristen and Robert Pattinson grew up in England. The eldest of five kids, they were always close. Their parents separated when Kristen was young, leaving her and her brother to look after their younger siblings. Kristen’s father was a professional poker player who won four English national championships, which brought in an income of over £100,000 per annum. However, he lost a lot of money in the 2008 financial crisis and had to file for bankruptcy. The family were affected financially, and had to downsize considerably. It was a tough time, but Kristen and her brother managed to find the courage to pursue their passion for acting. They made several appearances at local theatre companies in London, as well as on radio. They also supported their local soccer team, Tottenham Hotspur. The pair appeared in a local newspaper playing sports coaches who help raise money for a local charity. In 2014, they made their London stage debut in Twelfth Night, playing the roles of Viola and Sebastian. They also guest-starred in an episode of Sherlock. It was around this time that they decided to move to Los Angeles to further their acting careers. They could have used their considerable bank balance to fund their Hollywood dream, but instead, sought to build their careers on the back of their hard work. While in LA, they continued to study at UCLA, as well as open their own acting Studio, KPATT Productions. In addition to this, Kristen completed a screenwriting course with the American Film Institute (AFI). Despite the hectic schedule, the younger Pattinson was still very much in touch with his English roots. He loved to travel back home to visit family and friends, as well as indulge in some of his beloved British traditions. He also became a firm advocate of British businesses, encouraging people to purchase British goods and invest in British companies. In 2016, the 29-year-old wrote and directed his first short film, A Day’s Work. The film was an allegory about the refugee crisis, using fictionalised versions of himself and his wife as the main characters. It’s fair to say that the short film didn’t do much to further their already considerable film-star careers. It only screened at a handful of film festivals, and did very poorly at the box office. Nevertheless, it taught them a valuable lesson: never put your eggs completely into one basket. Robert and Kristen had built their careers successfully in LA, but they didn’t have a clear path to further success. They were under no illusions about the nature of their chosen profession, and knew that it could be a bumpy ride at best. So, they decided to return to England, where they could build a support network and find some consistency. They sold their house in LA and settled back in with their son, Wills. The pair had decided that family was more important than material possessions, and that they wanted to find a way to bring up their children in a way that was befitting of their stellar careers. They wanted to provide them with the best of both worlds; the notoriety of being an actor and the security of a steady income. It was a hard decision to leave Hollywood, but they were confident that it was the right move for their family. Things were about to change for the better.

Marriage And Parenthood

In 2017, the couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Italy. They wanted to make the occasion as memorable as possible, so they collaborated with some of the country’s finest chefs to produce an elaborate wedding banquet. They also hired a wedding planner who helped them to organise every detail of the event. Two months after their wedding, they welcomed their first child, a son, into the world. It was a beautiful moment, and one that they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives. The baby’s name is Archer, after Robert’s late great uncle, Archer Dunlap, who passed away in 2016. Despite the extraordinary demands of fatherhood, it was clear that Robert was a natural at being a parent. He adored his son from the very first moment that he held him. He was also delighted to finally have some quality time with his wife, since they’d both been working so hard to keep their careers alive. After welcoming their son into the world, the couple decided that it was time to recommit to their acting careers. They didn’t want to become full-time parents, since they both had substantial careers to look after. However, they were determined to balance their working lives with as much parent-child engagement as possible. They’d worked out a schedule where Kristen plays the role of parent and protector, while Robert takes on the role of care-giver and entertainer. It’s a delicate balancing act, but they seem to be doing just fine.

The Future

The couple have been very open about their lives and work, and have discussed their trials and tribulations on social media. They’ve also spoken about the importance of family and finding a way to be there for their children. But, while their son grows up in the public eye, it’s important to remember that he doesn’t know what his parents’ careers are, nor does he have any vested interests in their notoriety. The child doesn’t need to look into a screen to see his parents. They’re there for him every day, regardless of whether or not they’re acting. He doesn’t have to wonder about whether or not his parents are going to provide for him or if they’re just going to use him for his notoriety. It’s a responsibility that his parents take very seriously, and one that they’re committed to raising their son by. The child doesn’t have the same pressure to follow in their footsteps that his older siblings did. He has the support of his parents, and that’s what’s important.

If you’d like to learn more about Kristen and Robert’s work and families, you can read their insightful and informative blog, RoZark, or follow them on Twitter. The blog post that you’re reading was originally published in 2015, but because it’s such an interesting topic, we thought that it merited re-publication. If you have any thoughts or comments about this topic or anything else, please feel free to leave us a message below.