Orlando Bloom

Profile
Name: Orlando Bloom
Birth Name: Orlando Jonathan Blanchard Bloom
Height: 5' 11''
Sex: M
Nationality: British
Birth Date: January 13, 1977
Birth Place: Canterbury, Kent, England, UK
Profession: Actor, Producer
Education: St. Edmund's School in Canterbury, England
British American Drama Academy in London, England
Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England
Relationship: Kate Bosworth (actress; born on January 2, 1983; began dating in the spring of 2002; split in January 2005)
Father: Colin Stone (British teacher, biological father), Harry Bloom (he was lead to believe that he's his real dad - a famous South African lawyer, writer & activist)
Mother: Sonia Bloom
Sister: Samantha Bloom (actress; born in 1975; 2 years older)
Claim to fame: The role of Legolas Greenleaf in the The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Biography
Orlando Bloom was born in Canterbury, Kent, England on January 13, 1977. The man he briefly knew as his father, Harry Bloom, was a legendary political activist who fought for civil rights in South Africa. But Harry died of a stroke when Orlando was only four years old. After that, Orlando and his older sister, Samantha Bloom, were raised by their mother, Sonia, and family friend, Colin Stone. When Orlando was 13, Sonia revealed to him that Colin was actually his biological father.

Orlando attended St. Edmunds School in Canterbury but struggled in many courses because of dyslexia. He did embrace the arts, however, and enjoyed pottery, photography and sculpturing. He also participated in school plays and was active at his local theater. As a teen, Orlando landed his first job: he was a clay trapper at a pigeon shooting range. Encouraged by his mother, he and his sister began studying poetry and prose, eventually giving readings at Kent Festival. Orlando and Samantha won many poetry and Bible reciting competitions. Then Orlando, who always idolized larger-than-life characters, gravitated towards serious acting. At the age of 16, he moved to London and joined the National Youth Theatre, spending two seasons there and gaining a scholarship to train with the British American Drama Academy. Like many young actors, he also auditioned for a number of television roles to further his career, landing bit parts in British television shows "Casualty" (1986), "Midsomer Murders" (1997) and "Smack the Pony" (1999). He also appeared in the critically acclaimed movie Wilde (1997).

He then attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It was there, in 1998, that Orlando fell three stories from a rooftop terrace and broke his back. Despite fears that he would be permanently paralyzed, he quickly recovered and returned to the stage. As fate would have it, seated in the audience one night in 1999 was a director named Peter Jackson. After the show, he met with Orlando and asked him to audition for his new set of movies. After graduating from Guildhall, Orlando began work on the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, spending 18 months in New Zealand bringing to life "Legolas", a part which made him a household name. Today, he is one of the busiest and most sought-after actors in the industry.

Filmography
Actor
2008 Seasons of Dust
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
2006 Love and Other Disasters
2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
2005 Kingdom of Heaven
2005 Elizabethtown
2004 The Calcium Kid
2004 Haven
2004 The Remains of the Piano
2004 Troy
2003 Ned Kelly
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2003 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
2001 Black Hawk Down

Executive Producer
2004 Haven

Awards
2004 Empire Film Award - Best Debut Performance
2004 Screen Actors Guild Award - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2004 BFCA Award - Best Acting Ensemble
2003 Hollywood Discovery Award - Breakthrough Acting - Male
2003 NBR Award - Best Ensemble Performance
2002 MTV Movie Award - Breakthrough Male Performance
2002 Empire Award - Best Debut

Trivia

Disney bosses have hit out at reports they're planning to kill off Bloom in the fourth PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN installment, insisting the story is completely unfounded. (October 14, 2006)

Has been spotted out and about with Penelope Cruz in Los Angeles, prompting rumors that the two are dating. (October 3, 2006)

Has admitted that he recently bought his first ever computer. Bloom has spent years trying to avoid technology, but has succumbed and is gagging to get on MySpace.com. (September 16, 2006)

Is reportedly romancing Uma Thurman - just days after splitting from Kate Bosworth. (September 12, 2006)

Bloom and girlfriend Kate Bosworth have reportedly decided to end their four year relationship. (September 6, 2006)

Is reportedly planning to splash out $4 million on a luxury boat. (August 16, 2006)

Says he loves women with a good sense of humor.

Admitted that he was terrified of starring opposite Johnny Depp in the first PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN film as he was intimidated by the screen icon's experience. (July 3, 2006)

Confessed that he loves having to kiss Keira Knightley while filming the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels because he thinks she’s a great kisser. (June 21, 2006)

Bloom and Kate Bosworth have sparked rumors they have become engaged to be married, after being seen picking out an engagement ring in London. (December 20, 2005)

Sued by the bosses of his former management company The Firm over claims he still owes them for securing high-profile film roles for him. (November 17, 2005)

Confirmed he is back with ex-girlfriend Kate Bosworth. (August 29, 2005)

Bloom and Jennifer Aniston are the celebrities American singles would most like to stumble across in an online chat room, according to a survey by one of the leading internet US dating services. (August 29, 2005)

Was left red-faced after his credit card was refused when he treated his girlfriend Kate Bosworth to a gourmet meal at the Casaro Amarelo eaterie in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He left the restaurant promising to settle up later. But the restaurant's owner admits she's still awaiting payment from Bloom. (April 30, 2005)

Says he would appear in CORONATION STREET - if the money was right. (April 27, 2005)

Denies reports he is being lined-up to play a young James Bond. (April 12, 2005)

Has put his love affair with Kate Bosworth on hold for a year so they can give each other time to grow. (April 11, 2005)

Has confirmed he has been in negotiations to star in YOUNG 007. Based on new novel Silverfin, the film will follow the young James Bond from school at Eton, England, to his uncle's house in the west Highlands. (March 30, 2005)

Topped a poll of stars whom British women most want to kiss under the mistletoe. (2004)

Topped the list of celebrities walking the red carpet at the first Dubai International Film Festival, which hopes to be a cultural bridge between East and West. (December 9, 2004)

Has committed himself to Buddhism in an hour-long ceremony in Britain. (December 8, 2004)

Is voted Britain's sexiest actor in an internet poll by Sky Movies. (2004)

His role as Elf warrior Legolas gets the most piercing screams at the public screenings of LORD OF THE RING TRILOGY Tuesday at the Senator Theatre in Baltimore. (December 17, 2003)

Orlando, 10 years old at the time, decided he would become an actor while watching SUPERMAN with his then-girlfriend, when she was apparently drooling over the actor who played superman, and not Orlando.

His first film role was as a rent boy in Wilde in 1997, and he has also appeared on TV shows such as Casualty, London's Burning and Midsomer Murders.

Originally auditioned for the part of Faramir in THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002). He was called back and subsequently cast, instead, as Legolas.

His career was halted after he broke his back in an accident in 1998 and doctors feared he would never walk again. But 12 days later he hobbled out of hospital on crutches and just months afterwards he was offered the part of Legolas.

Eight of the nine members of the Fellowship got a small tattoo, the Elvish symbol for 9 at a tattoo parlor in Wellington, New Zealand, to commemorate the experience of the movie. And Bloom who plays the archer elf Legolas, has his on his forearm.

Staring as Legolas, he did most of his own stunts and broke a rib in the process.

Filming TROY in Mexico. (August 2003)

His friend's call his O.B. or Orli.

Introduced his pal Heath Ledger to Naomi Watts - the two have been an item ever since.

Has three tattoos, including the number '9' in Elvish, the language spoken in LORD OF THE RINGS. All of the cast members marked themselves with the same tattoo in different locations.

His performance at the National Youth Theatre earned him a scholarship to the British American Drama Academy.

During the filming for LORD OF THE RINGS, Orlando fell off his horse and broke one of his ribs.

When he was very young, he realized that all the superheroes he admired, like Superman, were actually played by actors so Bloom decided he wanted to be one too.

Chosen as one of Teen People Magazine's 25 Hottest Stars Under 25. (2002)

Learned to surf during the filming of the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy in New Zealand.

Appeared on 2002 clothing commercial named Denim Invasion for Gap with Kate Beckinsale. The commercial was directed by Cameron Crowe.

Was nominated with the entire FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING cast for 'Best Ensemble Acting' at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Underwent a great deal of training with knives, horseback riding, canoeing and archery before his role as Legolas.

Commanded $5,5 for his role in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.

Hair: Dark brown, naturally wavy

Eyes Dark brown

Pets: A dog named Maude

Recently gave up smoking and has resorted to biting his nails.

Was dyslexic as a child - he says he is still mildly dyslexic.

Enjoys all kinds of music, especially folk-style musicians like Ben Harper, David Gray and Bob Dylan.

Can speak French

Favorite color: yellow

Since filming LOTR he has given up on dairy products and red meat. He says portraying an ethereal character like Legolas made him have a healthier outlook.

His first Hollywood crush was Dynasty star Linda Evans

His first concert was 'Jamiroquai' in his hometown of Canterbury.

His first CD was 'Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians' and his first 45 was 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson

His first job was as a clay-trapper at a pigeon shooting range

Selected as one of E! Online's Sizzlin' Sixteen (2002)

His hobbies include skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding, surfing, photography and snowboarding.

Says he's accident prone, and has the injury list to prove it. He's broken his back, his ribs, his nose, both his legs, his arm, his wrist, a finger, a toe, and cracked his skull three times!

Orlando and his sister were raised by their mother, Sonia, and a guardian, Colin Stone. When Orlando was 13, his mother told him that Harry was not his biological father, that Colin was.

He wears a replica of the One ring that says, To wherever it may lead. It was given to him by one of the make-up artists on LOTR.

Favorite Foods: Pasta, pizza, oatmeal, rice, vegetables, and baked potatoes.

Favorite Football Team: Manchester United.

Favorite Sports: Snowboarding and Surfing.

Favorite Actors: Johnny Depp, Edward Norton, Paul Newman, and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Favorite Movie: STAND BY ME. He also likes THE HUSTLER and AMELIE.

Favorite Type of Girls: Nice, sweet girls.

His father, Harry Bloom, died when Orlando was 4 and was a legendary figure in antiapartheid circles in South Africa. Harry was jailed for his beliefs, and worked alongside Nelson Mandela.

Was named after the hero in Virginia Woolfe's novel Orlando.

Lost his virginity to an English rose at fourteen.

Had a middle-class upbringing in Canterbury, which included attending local poetry and Bible readings.

Nominated for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture at Screen Actors Guild Awards for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2003)