Orlando Bloom

Orlando Jonathan Blanchard Bloom (born January 13, 1977) is a British actor who became famous playing Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He has also had major roles in ', Troy, The Calcium Kid, and his first lead role in Kingdom of Heaven. Bloom is currently filming the sequel '.

Related Topics:
January 13 - 1977 - British - Legolas - The Lord of the Rings - Troy - The Calcium Kid - Kingdom of Heaven

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Orlando was born in Canterbury, Kent to South African Jewish lawyer Harry Bloom and Sonia J. Copeland, who was born in India to an English physician father, doctor Frances Copeland. In his teens, Orlando discovered that his biological father was not Harry Bloom, but rather family friend Colin Stone. Orlando attended St Edmunds School in Canterbury, but struggled due to his dyslexia. In 1993, he moved to London and joined the National Youth Theatre, spending two seasons there and earning a scholarship to train at the British American Drama Academy. He had a few television roles and made his film debut in Wilde (1997), opposite Stephen Fry, before entering the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 1998, he broke his back in a three story fall, and it was briefly feared that he would never walk again. However, he made a complete recovery and walked out of the hospital twelve days later. He had metal plates inserted into his backbone to support it, which have since been removed, except for a single screw. He regularly performs yoga and Pilates to strengthen his back.

Related Topics:
Canterbury - Kent - South African - Jewish - Harry Bloom - India - English - St Edmunds School - Dyslexia - 1993 - London - National Youth Theatre - Scholarship - British American Drama Academy - Television - Wilde - Stephen Fry - Guildhall School of Music and Drama - 1998 - Yoga - Pilates

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While also still in drama school he landed his first major role as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003). This turned Bloom from an unknown actor into one of world's hottest celebrities. IMDBPro's StarMeter reported that Bloom was the most searched for actor in January 2002, one month after ' was released. In the same year he was also chosen as one of Teen People Magazines "25 Hottest Stars Under 25". He was named People Magazine's hottest Hollywood bachelor in the magazine's 2004 list.

Related Topics:
Legolas - The Lord of the Rings - 2001 - 2003 - IMDBPro - Teen People Magazine - People Magazine - Bachelor

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The cast of the Rings movies was nominated for Best Ensemble Acting at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for three years in a row. They finally won in 2003, for the third film '. Bloom has also won other various Empire and Teen Choice Awards, and has been nominated for many others.

Related Topics:
Screen Actors Guild Awards - Empire - Teen Choice Award

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Bloom has said that he uses the philosophies of Nichiren Buddhism in 2004, a religion that he has long associated himself with.

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