25 Facts That Will Change the Way You Think About Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson turns 29 on Wednesday, and we can think of no better way to celebrate than with a look at 25 interesting, funny, and little-known facts about his life. From Rob's first kiss to his troubles at school, the actor has already lived an interesting life. Keep reading to find out more about Rob, and then check out 18 pictures of the actor that will take your breath away.

01
He Considers Himself a Good Gift-Giver
Getty | Alberto E. Rodriguez

He Considers Himself a Good Gift-Giver

If you ever got a gift from Rob, chances are you would really like it — at least according to the man himself. Rob said in an interview that he loves "grand gestures" and likes to give presents. "I like to give people presents and I think of myself as the best gift giver," he said, adding, "But only because I get stuff for myself and then make it work for the other person."

02
Rob Learned How to Scuba Dive For Harry Potter
Getty | Dave Hogan

Rob Learned How to Scuba Dive For Harry Potter

He told Scholastic magazine that he learned how to scuba dive for his role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

03
He Was Expelled From School
Getty | Miquel Benitez

He Was Expelled From School

Robert admitted in a 2008 interview with Extra that he was expelled from Tower House School, a private school in England, when he was 12, but he refused to explain why he was kicked out.

04
He Wasn't Always a Fan Favorite
Getty | Stephen Shugerman

He Wasn't Always a Fan Favorite

According to TV Guide, 75,000 fans reportedly petitioned against Robert when it was first announced that he was picked for the role of Edward Cullen.

05
Rob Is Friends With Katy Perry
Getty | Kevin Mazur/TCA 2010

Rob Is Friends With Katy Perry

Robert is good friends of Katy Perry and she helped him out through his breakup with Kristen Stewart.

06
He Has Shot a Gun
Getty | Andreas Rentz

He Has Shot a Gun

Robert revealed in a 2012 interview with MTV that he had recently gotten into shooting, saying that he likes to visit an LAPD shooting range to fire off rounds.

07
He Isn't Big on Spending a Lot of Money
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He Isn't Big on Spending a Lot of Money

Rob told Harper's Bazaar in 2009 that, despite earning millions for The Twilight Saga, he doesn't like to splash out on lavish purchases. He said, "I don't spend any money. The only thing I've really bought is my car, which cost $1,500 and keeps exploding."

08
Robert Isn't a Great Driver
Getty | David Ramos

Robert Isn't a Great Driver

Despite growing up with a father who was a car dealer, Robert admitted to Harper's Bazaar in 2009 that he is actually not that used to driving. He said, "My dad's a car dealer, but I grew up in London, so I always say, 'I don't drive — I get driven.'"

09
Rob Had His First Kiss at Age 12
Getty | Michael Buckner

Rob Had His First Kiss at Age 12

Robert told Seventeen magazine that he had his first kiss at the tender age of 12.

10
He Hates the Nickname "R-Patz"
Getty | Sean Gallup

He Hates the Nickname "R-Patz"

Robert 's fans may like to call him R-Patz, but they better not say it to his face. He told The Guardian in June 2012 that he isn't fond of the moniker, saying, "I don't understand who invented that thing, 'R-Patz' — I want to strangle them."

11
He's Peed in a Jar Before
Getty | Andreas Rentz

He's Peed in a Jar Before

The actor said in an interview with MTV back in 2012 that he has peed in a jar while in a car. He added, "Many times as well."

12
He Has Two Dogs
Getty | Kevin Winter

He Has Two Dogs

Robert Pattinson has two dogs, Bear and Bernie, whom he adopted with then-girlfriend Kristen Stewart. Both are mutts that they rescued from dog pounds.

13
He Got Suspended For Saving Snails
Getty | Ian Gavan

He Got Suspended For Saving Snails

Rob said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show back in April 2011 that he got suspended from school when he was "6 or 7" for saving snails and carrying them around in a carton. He said that he was saving them so his schoolmates would stop killing them when they went outside.

14
Rob's Self-Conscious About His Body
Getty | Andrew H. Walker

Rob's Self-Conscious About His Body

Robert said in an interview with Moviefone in January 2009 that he thinks he has "wide hips" and is self-conscious about taking off his clothes in public. In fact, he said that when he goes to the pool, he keeps all of his clothes on to avoid feeling embarrassed.

15
He Loves Silly TV Shows
Getty | Frazer Harrison

He Loves Silly TV Shows

Robert Pattinson told MTV back in 2011 that his favorite TV shows are Minute to Win It and America's Dumbest Criminals.

16
He Is Friends With Eddie Redmayne
Getty | Jon Kopaloff

He Is Friends With Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne told us back in December that he's good friends with Robert Pattinson. He said, "Robert, I've known for a long time. There's a whole load of us [British actors] who were trying to make ends meet in London, and it's been lovely watching everyone have a moment to do interesting work."

17
Rob's Favorite Soccer Team Is Arsenal
Getty | Michael Buckner

Rob's Favorite Soccer Team Is Arsenal

The actor told UK's Metro newspaper that Arsenal is one of his favorite soccer teams.

18
Rob Was a Teen Model
Getty | Jamie McCarthy

Rob Was a Teen Model

Before he became an actor, Robert was a model. Check out photos of Robert Pattinson modeling underwear during his teen years.

19
He Has Double-Jointed Fingers
Getty | Alo Ceballos

He Has Double-Jointed Fingers

Robert told Yahoo! Movies UK & Ireland that he has bendy, double-jointed fingers. He also noted that he broke his nose three times while playing goalie in soccer because his fingers would bend back and the ball would hit him in the face.

20
He Can Speak French, Sort Of
Getty | Don Arnold

He Can Speak French, Sort Of

Rob told Vanity Fair in 2008 that he can speak French but only at a "3-year-old's standard."

21
Rob's a Private School Boy
Getty | Christopher Polk

Rob's a Private School Boy

The actor grew up attending different private schools in England. He attended the Tower House School until he was 12 years old and then transferred to The Harrodian School.

22
He Never Dated Nikki Reed
Getty | Jason Merritt

He Never Dated Nikki Reed

Sorry, folks, Robert Pattinson never dated Nikki Reed before he linked up with Kristen Stewart. Nikki told Seventeen magazine in 2009 that rumors about her being "bitter" over a breakup with Rob make her angry. She said, "Rob and I were never together."

23
Rob's First Real Role Was a Made-For-TV Film
Getty

Rob's First Real Role Was a Made-For-TV Film

While he never made it onto screen in Vanity Fair, Robert did manage to get some real screen time in his first real role in Curse of the Ring, a British TV movie.

24
He Lied to Matt Lauer
Getty | Kevin Winter

He Lied to Matt Lauer

While promoting Water For Elephants on Today, Robert told Matt Lauer that he saw a clown die at a circus when he was a little kid. However, he later admitted at the German premiere of Water For Elephants that he made the whole story up because he couldn't think of anything interesting for the interview. He said, "I made the whole thing up. . . . I don't know why I said it!"

25
He Played Reese Witherspoon's Son
Getty | George Pimentel

He Played Reese Witherspoon's Son

Robert's first major acting gig was playing Reese Witherspoon's son in Vanity Fair, but his scene with her eventually got cut out of the movie. It was an odd casting choice to begin with considering that Reese is only 10 years older than Rob. Later, he went on to play her lover in Water For Elephants, but fans have saved Rob's deleted Vanity Fair scene on YouTube.