Full Name: Orlando Bloom
Orlando was born in Canterbury, Kent in 1977. His nickname is Orli. When he was 16, he joined the National Youth Theatre for 2 seasons before gaining himself a scholarship to train with the British American Drama Academy. Like many young actors, he also auditioned for a number of television and film roles to further his career, landing bit parts in the TV series "Casualty" and the critically acclaimed movie "Wilde". Bloom debuted in the feature film Wilde starring Stephen Fry before he started at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Orlando graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London in 1999 after a 3 year acting course and was almost immediately cast in the role of Legolas Greenleaf in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien. He spend 18 months in New Zealand bringing "Legolas" alive, a part which made him a household name.
More about Orlando Bloom:
**Father, Harry Bloom, died when Bloom was just four
**Was nearly killed three years ago when he broke his back in a fall out of a window and fell three floors. He was told he may not walk again. He was operated on, and twelve days later he walked out of the hospital.
**Originally auditioned to play the role of "Faramir" in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but lost out on that role and was instead asked to play the role of Legolas.
**Underwent a great deal of training with knives, horseback riding, canoeing and archery before his role as Legolas.
**Learned to surf during the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy in New Zealand.
**During the filming for Lord of the Rings, Orlando fell off his horse and broke one of his ribs.
**Chosen as one of Teen People Magazine's "25 Hottest Stars Under 25." [2002]
**He won the 2002 MVT Movie Award for 'Breakthrough Male'
**Won the award at the 2002 Empire Awards for 'Best Debut'.
**Was nominated with the entire 'Fellowship of the Ring' cast for 'Best Ensemble Acting' at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
**Appeared on 2002 clothing commercial named "Denim Invasion" for Gap with Kate Beckinsale. The commercial was directed by Cameron Crowe.
Personal quotes:
"It's all very surreal. I've had two very fantastic experiences. In Lord of the Rings and in Black Hawk Down. I feel very lucky. I'm sort of doubly excited."
"For a young actor like me to have the oportunity to work with the genre of actors and directors on 'Lord Of The Rings' is unbelievable. There was no, should I should I not. It was like, where do I sign up! It was just bonkers. It was like here, have a life."
On his 2002 Empire Award: "I think my mum will have [my award] in pride of place somewhere beside my grandmother on the mantelpiece."
"I'm rather accident-prone, I have to admit. I've broken my back, my ribs, my nose, both my legs, my arm, my wrist, a finger and a toe and cracked my skull three times."
"I broke my back. I fell out of a window... some friends had a roof terrace on the landing before their apartment, and I fell off the drain pipe. It gave way, actually, and I fell three floors. I was told I might not walk again. So, for about four days, I was contemplating that as a serious part of reality. Then they operated, and I walked out of the hospital in about twelve days."
"Vig used to call me 'elf boy', and I'd call him 'filthy human'. As an Elf, I never got a scratch on me, never got dirty. And Vig would come out with blood and sweat all over him. And he'd say to me, 'Oh, go manicure your nails."
"We have these digs at each other. Viggo will go on about Elves and how they're always doing their nails and brushing their long, blonde hair, and being all prissy. And I just say: Well, at least I'm going to live forever! Got that? LIVE FOREVER!"
