Nickname
Orli
Height
5' 11" (1.80 m)
At the age of 16, he joined the National Youth Theatre in London, 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 and film roles to further his career, landing bit parts in the TV series "Casualty" and the critically acclaimed movie "Wilde". He then attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for 3 years. It was there, in 1998, where the accident prone Orlando fell three stories from a rooftop terrace and broke his back. Despite very real fears that he would be permanently paralyzed, he quickly recovered.
After graduating from Guildhall, Orlando began work on the Lord of the Rings, spending 18 months in New Zealand bringing to life "Legolas", a part which would make him a household name.
Spent two years at the National Youth Theatre and went to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
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.
During the filming for Lord of the Rings, Orlando fell off his horse and broke one of his ribs.
Father, Harry Bloom, died when he was just four.
Chosen as one of Teen People Magazine's "25 Hottest Stars Under 25." [2002]
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.
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.
He won the 2002 MVT Movie Award for 'Breakthrough Male'.
Was nominated with the entire 'Fellowship of the Ring' cast for 'Best Ensemble Acting' at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Won the award at the 2002 Empire Awards for 'Best Debut'.
Underwent a great deal of training with knives, horseback riding, canoeing and archery before his role as Legolas.
His first job was assistant in a shooting club.
Attended St Edmunds School, Canterbury.
On his character Legolas and the way Legolas moves: "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 a strength in that, but it's very balletic. It's also bloody hard to do without falling over!"
"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."
"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."
On how he got the part in Black Hawk Down - "My character breaks his back, and I had mentioned I had done that when I was up for the part. Who knows why one actor gets a job and another doesn't? I think it was just good timing that I happened to be there and I had had the experience - I mean, I was lucky."
"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."
On his 2002 Empire Award: "I think my mum will have [my award] in pride of place somewhere beside my grandmother on the mantelpiece."
"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!"
"You have to be quite serious about tattoos [because] they're there forever."
"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."
"It's a bit strange to be included in those sexiest people polls and all that sort of thing. I don't really even know who I'm up against!"
"Elf Envy...they all had it."
Aged nine, I had this girlfriend, and we used to have running races in the park to see who would be her boyfriend for the day. I wanted to be like Superman and fly in and rescue her. Once I realised Superman was an actor, I thought, "That's for me." I got into acting for the women.
