- Rocketed into the spotlight after his role as Edward Cullen in the “Twilight” saga, actor Robert Pattinson is a person of many unexpected talents and interests.
- Despite the breadth of his filmography, Pattinson has yet to appear on a television show.
- In addition to his acting career, the 33-year-old is a musician and even composes and writes his own music.
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Though Robert Pattinson is best known as the moody vampire from the “Twilight” saga, the 33-year-old actor has filmed nearly 40 different projects over the course of his career. These projects include films like “Water for Elephants,” “Remember Me,” and “The Rover.” Soon, the A-list actor will add the role of superhero to his lengthy list of accomplishments.
Warner Bros. recently announced that Pattinson will replace Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne, better known as Batman. The Matt Reeves film is set to debut in June 2021.
In anticipation of the film, INSIDER rounded up 10 things you probably didn’t know about Robert Pattinson.
He was expelled from school for selling pornographic magazines
While attending what he described on "The Howard Stern Show" as a very "elite" and "strict" institution, Pattinson said he was expelled for selling pornographic magazines to friends at grade school. Pattinson would replenish his supply of magazines by stealing them from a local convenience store, which ultimately led to the actor getting caught.
"I used to go in and take, like, one or two, and then put them in my bag. I was in my school uniform when I was doing it, and it was kind of risky," he told Stern. "At the end, I got so cocky that I would take the entire rack."
'Harry Potter' was the star's first major film
In 2005, Pattinson was a newbie actor who only had three roles to his name. Despite having a petite resumé, Pattinson landed a coveted role in "Harry Potter and the Goblet Fire."
In the film, Pattinson played the ill-fated Cedric Diggory. This was his first major role and, arguably, the role that put him on the map.
He's never acted in a TV show
Though he has appeared in TV movies and video shorts, in Pattinson's near 15-year career, he's never acted in a TV show. Whether this is purposefully or not remains to be seen.
He's an award-winning kisser
From 2009 to 2012, Pattinson won the MTV Movie + TV Award for "Best Kiss" four times. Of course, he didn't win the award by himself. He shares the honor of being an award-winning kisser with his "Twilight" co-star and then-girlfriend Kristen Stewart. As of 2019, Pattinson and Stewart are the only actors to have won the award four consecutive years in a row.
He's a musician
In addition to playing the piano and guitar, Pattinson sings and writes his own music. You might have recognized his voice on the "Twilight" soundtrack, where the star performs "Never Think" and "Let Me Sign." In a 2008 interview, Pattinson says said music is a backup plan, not something he plans to pursue while acting. He still sings, with his most recent song being recorded for Claire Denis's film "High Life."
He almost got fired from 'Twilight'
Nearly a decade after the first "Twilight" film was released, Pattinson told Howard Stern that he was almost fired from the film. According to the star, he was acting "too serious" in his role as a moody vampire and was told to lighten up - and given a copy of Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" with every mention of his character smiling highlighted as inspiration.
Thankfully, Pattinson switched up his character's M.O. and kept the acting gig for another four years.
He doesn't like sex scenes
Despite being no stranger to these on-screen displays of passion, Pattinson told The Scotland Herald that he hates sex scenes in films.
"I always find sex scenes are the most random thing to see in a movie. Two actors pretending to have sex. Why? It's so stupid," Pattinson said.
Foto: Actor Robert Pattinson attends the 2017 GO Campaign Gala at NeueHouse Los Angeles on November 18, 2017 in Hollywood, California.sourceEarl Gibson III/Getty Images
He hates his nickname
Nicknamed "R-Patz," Pattinson has stated numerous times that he doesn't understand "nickname culture" and thinks his own "sounds like an anti-acid tablet." The star has even joked that he would "strangle" the person who came up with the nickname R-Patz because he hates it so much.
He revealed he struggles with body dysmorphia
In 2013, Pattinson said that he has anxiety and body dysmorphia. He says these issues are often heightened before a red carpet event. Pattinson has also been open about his issues with low-self esteem.
The Guardian reported Pattinson told the Australia's Sunday Style magazine that these anxieties are especially present at red carpet events.
"Body dysmorphia, overall tremendous anxiety. I suppose it's because of these tremendous insecurities that I never found a way to become egotistical," Pattinson said. "I don't have a six-pack and I hate going to the gym. I've been like that my whole life. I never want to take my shirt off."
Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a lifelong mental health condition that requires a medical diagnosis. It impacts the way a person sees part of their body or appearance as flawed and takes extreme measures to hide or fix the "problem area."
Pattinson chose 'Harry Potter' over college
Pattinson was 17-years-old when he landed the coveted role as Cedric Diggory in the "Harry Potter" franchise. In an interview several years later, Pattinson revealed that he chose his "Harry Potter" role over attending university - a gamble that seemed to pay off.