Robert Thomas Pattinson (born 13 May 1986)
is an
English actor,
model and
musician.
He is best known for playing
Edward Cullen in the film adaptation of
Twilight, based on
the novel by
Stephenie Meyer, and for the role of
Cedric Diggory in
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Early life
Pattinson was born in
London,
England. His mother, Clare, worked for a modeling agency, and his father, Richard, imported vintage cars from the U.S.
[Robert Pattinson] Pattinson attended Tower House School and Harrodian School.
He became involved in amateur theatre through the
Barnes Theatre Company. After some backstage experience there, he took on acting roles. He caught the attention of an acting agent in a production of
Tess of the D'Urbervilles and began looking for professional roles. Since then he has performed in an amateur version of
Macbeth at the Old Sorting Office Arts Centre, as well as trying his hand at modeling. Pattinson has two elder sisters.
Career
Modeling
Pattinson began his modeling career when he was twelve years old, but it wound down only four years later. He has blamed his lack of work as a model on his masculine appearance. Pattinson explained in December 2008, "When I first started I was quite tall and looked like a girl, so I got lots of jobs, because it was during that period where the androgynous look was cool. Then, I guess, I became too much of a guy, so I never got any more jobs. I had the most unsuccessful modeling career."
[New York Magazine]
Pattinson appeared in the advertising campaign for
Hackett's Autumn 2007 collection.
Acting
Pattinson had supporting roles in the made for
television film Ring of the Nibelungs in 2004 and in director
Mira Nair’s
Vanity Fair, although his scenes in the latter were deleted and only appear on the DVD version. In May 2005, he was slated to appear in the UK premiere of
The Woman Before at the
Royal Court Theatre, but was fired shortly before the opening night and was replaced by
Tom Riley. Later that year he played
Cedric Diggory in the film
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Consequently, he was named that year's
British Star of Tomorrow by
The Times.
He also has more than once been touted as the next
Jude Law.
Pattinson played Edward Cullen in the movie Twilight, based on Stephenie Meyer's bestselling novel of the same name, which was released on 21 November 2008 in North America. According to TV Guide, Pattinson was initially apprehensive about auditioning for the role of Edward Cullen, fearful that he wouldn't be able to live up to the "perfection" expected from the character.["Before the Spotlight, Twilight's Robert Pattinson Was Intimidated by "Perfect" Role" TV Guide. November 21, 2008. Retrieved on November 26 2008.] He will reprise his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight sequels New Moon and Eclipse, the latter of which began filming in August 2009.
Pattinson also had lead roles in the feature films Little Ashes (in which he plays Salvador Dalí), How To Be (a British comedy) and the short film The Summer House. In 2010, he will appear in a theatre production for producer David Pugh.
He presented at the 81st Academy Awards on 22 February 2009.
Revolver Entertainment created a documentary entitled Robsessed, which details Pattinson's life and popularity. The documentary was released to DVD on November 10, 2009, to coincide with the release of New Moon.
Music
Pattinson plays guitar and piano, and composes his own music.
Aside from recording for the soundtracks, Pattinson has said, "I've never really recorded anything - I just played in pubs and stuff", and when asked about a professional music career, he said, "Music is my back-up plan if acting fails."
Personal life
Pattinson has admitted to taking a quarter of a Valium to calm his nerves before auditioning for Twilight, and to smoking.
Filmography
