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Orlando Bloom

Orlando Bloom was born January 13th, 1977, in Canterbury, England. His father (novelist and anti-apartheid activist Harry Bloom) died when he was only four years old. When Bloom found out his childhood hero – Superman Christopher Reeve – was an actor, that is the direction he chose to go. When he was 16 he moved into London to help his career, and joined the National Youth Theatre. After spending 2 years training there, he was awarded a scholarship with the British American Drama Academy. He had a cameo in the film Wilde, but instead of accepting the movie offers this led to, he decided to attend the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. There he appeared in various plays such as Twelfth Night and The Seagull. He also appeared in small roles in Casualty and Midsomer Murders.

In 1998, Orlando broke his back in a fell from a rooftop terrace, and was told by doctors he might never walk again. Two weeks later, following surgery, he left the hospital on crutches. He admits to being accident prone, having broken – among other things – both legs, an arm, and cracked his skull on three occasions.

Orlando won the role of Legolas in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ just a few days before he graduated. After filming the trilogy, he won a role in the film Black Hawk Down. He also appeared a 2002 Gap commercial, directed by Cameron Crowe.

Bloom won both the 2002 MVT Movie Award for 'Breakthrough Male', and Best Deput at the 2002 Empire Awards, both for LOTR.

Upcoming films include The Kelly Gang (Aka Ned Kelly, with Heath Ledger), Pirates of the Caribbean(with Johnny Depp) and The Calcium Kid, all due for release in 2003.

Bloom loves animals, is a vegetarian, and hopes to one day have his own sculpting studio.

LORD OF THE RINGS:

Bloom originally auditioned for the part of Faramir, but was instead asked to play Legolas. He shaved his hair into a mohawk for the role. He explained that this lifts the hairline, which better suits the 'elven features' and wig he wears in the films.

Of Legolas', Bloom says: "Legolas doesn't speak a lot - he prefers to let his actions speak for him. Legolas' moves are smooth and elegant, like a cat. You know how cats can jump and land steadily on their paws? That's what I'm trying to do. There's strength in that, but it's very balletic. It's also bloody hard to do without falling over" (Eonline)

"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!" (Eonline)

Bloom was known as the daredevil of the cast, and was off bungee-jumping, surfing, and snow-boarding whenever he had the chance.