Robert Pattinson makes first public appearance since split

Robert Pattinson braved cameras, a red carpet -- and Jon Stewart! All in one night.

Promoting his new film Cosmopolis, the actor stepped out in public Monday night in New York for the first time since the Twilight world was rocked by sweetie Kristen Stewart's admission last month to a "momentary indiscretion" with married Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders.

Pattinson, 26, wore a Gucci suit and some werewolf stubble. He smiled now and then.

On the red carpet at the Cosmopolis premiere, he answered questions only about the film, reports AP. New York's Daily News, which reports that fans had been camped out for as long as two days to get a glimpse of Pattinson, got director David Cronenberg to address the scandal. A little.

"It doesn't touch me and it doesn't touch the film," Cronenberg told the News.

More:  Kristen Stewart cheating photos hit the Web

On Comedy Central's Daily Show with Jon Stewart (which taped earlier in the evening before airing at 11 p.m. ET), Pattinson didn't delve into any relationship details, either. In fact, he never mentioned the other Stewart -- the one who wasn't in the room. But he seemed at ease and shared ice cream with the comic.

Jon Stewart opened his show by saying he figured many viewers might be tuning in for the first time. "Welcome, Twilight fans, this is a topical comedy show mostly dealing with politics and the media."

That note kept popping up on the screen as Stewart reported on Mitt Romney announcing Paul Ryan as his vice presidential pick over the weekend and other political news for the first 18 minutes of the show.

Finally it was R-Patz time. "What have you been up to?" said Stewart sweetly at the start of the interview. Then he pulled out some Ben & Jerry's ice cream and said, "We're just a couple of gals talking."

"This is how you got me on the show," said Pattinson.

The ice cream was melting, and Stewart got laughs drinking it.

"I'm trying to avoid eating this cuz I'm going to split my Spanx," said Pattinson.

Then Stewart got a little more serious. "I'm worried about you. Is everything all right?"

Said Pattinson, "Now I'm going to sound like an idiot. But, like, my biggest problem in life is that I'm cheap. I didn't hire a publicist." He laughs. "And in every awkward interview, normally actors get everything scripted. I'm going to hire a publicist."

Stewart then showed footage of the fans outside the studio. And Pattinson told him he was "confused. Tonight, this really is the Twilight show."

Stewart said, "Am I trending on Twitter right now? ... Hashtag old loser?"

Pattinson praised the ice cream.

Said Stewart, "Listen, the last time I had a bad breakup, Ben & Jerry's got me through. So I thought you and I could bond over this and talk about, 'Boy, you are better off. Kick her to the curb! Whatever.' "

The crowd cheered like crazy.

Stewart then said: "When you are young and break up, it's powerful and it feels like the world is ending. This is the first time, I have seen the world actually react that way. It's insanity. Here's my wish for you -- that you get to handle your business in private, in your personal life. I wish you the best."