Age: 40
male
Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson (born May 13, 1986) is an English actor. Noted for his versatile roles in both big-budget and independent films, Pattinson has been ranked among the world's highest-paid actors. After starting to act in a London theatre club at age 15, Pattinson began his film career by playing Cedric Diggory in the fantasy film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). He gained worldwide recognition for portraying Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga film series (2008–2012), which grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide. After starring in the romantic dramas Remember Me (2010) and Water for Elephants (2011), Pattinson received critical acclaim for his performances in independent films from auteur directors. He starred in David Cronenberg's thriller Cosmopolis (2012), David Michôd's dystopian western The Rover (2014), James Gray's adventure drama The Lost City of Z (2016), the Safdie Brothers' crime drama Good Time (2017), Claire Denis' science-fiction drama High Life (2018), and Robert Eggers' psychological horror film The Lighthouse (2019). He returned to mainstream films with a leading role in Christopher Nolan's spy film Tenet (2020), and starred as the DC Comics superhero Batman in Matt Reeves' film The Batman (2022).
The Big Short is a 2015 biographical drama directed by Adam McKay that explores the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. Based on the book by Michael Lewis, the film follows a group of unconventional investors who discover that the U.S. housing market—built on subprime loans and risky mortgage-backed securities—is on the brink of collapse. Realizing the scale of the impending disaster, they bet against the housing market through a financial instrument called a credit default swap, profiting from the eventual meltdown while exposing the deep corruption, greed, and ignorance at the heart of Wall Street. The film is notable for its unique storytelling techniques, blending dark humor, fast-paced editing, and fourth-wall-breaking explanations of complex financial instruments, often delivered by celebrities in unexpected cameos. Featuring an ensemble cast including Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt, The Big Short is both a scathing critique of the financial system and a sobering warning about the consequences of unchecked capitalism. Its sharp wit and clear-eyed depiction of systemic failure helped earn it critical acclaim and the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
