SANTA MONICA, California — When Robert Pattinson was grazed by a moving taxicab recently, the news rocked legions of "Twilight" fans who feared for their favorite actor's life. His series co-star Michael Welch, however, was surprised to hear the news when he sat down with MTV News on Tuesday.
"No," marveled the actor, who plays Mike Newton in the films. "You are how I stay in touch with this stuff."
Once we briefed Mike on the recent near-tragedy, the affable actor expressed concern for RPattz's health — and a hope that the star's skyrocketing fame crests soon.
"I've said over and over: Literally, right now, Rob Pattinson and Barack Obama are the two most famous people in the world," Welch said.
But as the cast of "Twilight" are discovering these days, Pattinson's fame is getting dangerous.
"I don't see how this is sustainable — is this gonna keep going for the rest of his life?" Welch asked of recent video footage that has Pattinson fleeing sobbing fans trying to hug him. "I understand it, it's Edward Cullen, I get it. But he's still Rob Pattinson first — he's still his own guy. Is it time to start getting concerned here?
"He's an actor who likes to prepare out in public — he likes to read a script at a coffee shop where there's people walking by and there's noise; he prepares that way. And he can't really do that anymore," Welch explained. "It's tough, man ... I don't know where his life is really headed."
And while some young actors might look at Pattinson's A-list, sex-symbol status as something to strive for, Welch said he wouldn't trade places with his famous friend.
"Man, no, I don't wish I had Rob's life at all," Welch reasoned. "I'm glad he's OK. And as long as people don't start ripping at him and breaking him in two, I think we'll be OK ... I wish him the best, and hope he's going to be all right."
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."
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