Actor and musician Jackson Rathbone, widely recognized for his role in the ‘Twilight’ saga, has cultivated a substantial following of over one million on Instagram, primarily through his whimsical burger reviews. During a bustling lunch hour at Dan’s Hamburgers on Menchaca, Rathbone examines a deliciously greasy beef patty, oozing with melted cheese, accompanied by fresh tomatoes and crunchy pickles, all nestled in a perfectly toasted and buttered bun.
“After a long day at work, I often ponder what to have for dinner. It’s invariably burgers that come to mind,” Rathbone remarked as he scrutinized the meal. “They’re straightforward and reliable… a perfect little meal.”
Having relocated to Austin less than a year ago with his wife and children, Rathbone made the move from Los Angeles and Georgia. He notes that securing acting roles increasingly hinges on having a robust social media presence. Unsure of what content to share, he decided to focus on his passion for hamburgers.
Documenting his burger experiences has become a cherished routine; he captures images of each mouthwatering creation and composes brief reviews for Instagram. “I always order the burger as it comes,” he shared in a recent post reviewing Proud Mary. “Let’s just say there was too much mayo for my liking… This is a decent cafe burger, but not something to seek out amidst the incredible burger scene here in Austin.”
His Instagram feed is a lively mix of burger snapshots interspersed with family moments, guitar performances, and fan expo promotions. Despite being famously known as the tormented vampire Jasper Hale, Rathbone radiates a playful and humorous spirit, a trait he attributes to his upbringing in Midland.
Like many boys in West Texas, Rathbone attempted to fit into the football scene. “The coach would say, ‘Bone, stop smiling. This isn’t party time,’” he recalled. “But I thought, ‘We’re just having fun, man.’ I never took football seriously, but my passion for acting and music was something I pursued wholeheartedly.”
After suffering concussions in both fifth and eighth grades, he decided to step away from the sport. At 13, he discovered DJing, often relying on older friends for rides to gigs. He also joined the Midland Community Theater, a decision that drew skepticism from peers, yet he remained unfazed. “Instead of being a quiet wallflower, I thought, ‘I’ll be the center of attention. I’ll make myself known and play the jester,’ which allowed me to mask a lot of truth.”
At 18, Rathbone moved to Los Angeles to chase his acting dreams. After landing roles in major films, he has since gravitated towards smaller indie projects and music creation. He frequently participates in fan expos, where he openly discusses his journey to sobriety, a process he credits to the support of his wife, Sheila.
“I pursued acting because I wanted to be someone different,” Rathbone explained. “I struggled with self-love, and stepping into different characters was a way for me to escape that feeling.” He linked his drinking habits to his struggles with anxiety and depression. “There were nights I was so intoxicated that I’d have been utterly useless in a house fire. It took me a long time to come to terms with that, and it spiraled into guilt and shame.”
Now at 41, Rathbone seeks “radical honesty” in his life. His upcoming album with his new band STARMOTHER, titled Disco Punk Is Dead, confronts feelings he once found too daunting to articulate. “This album is brutally honest about how my mind operates,” he shared. “It includes songs about my sobriety and the ever-present temptation to give in.”
While he hopes listeners will appreciate the album, Rathbone emphasizes that it is primarily for his own healing and self-reflection. “This album is genuinely for me to tackle my issues,” he stated.
After years of moving across the country, Rathbone is determined to establish roots in Austin and immerse himself in its vibrant music scene. “I adore this city. Growing up in Midland, it was always a shining beacon on the horizon. Austin is a place where creativity, art, music, and individuality are embraced. That’s where I want to be,” he expressed.
He plans to continue his burger reviews while cherishing his time with what he describes as the “greatest thing I’ve ever done”—his wife and children.
