Orlando Bloom

Orlando Bloom is an English actor renowned for his roles in major Hollywood franchises and epic fantasy productions. He achieved international fame portraying the elf Legolas in Peter Jackson's *The Lord of the Rings* and *The Hobbit* trilogies, and later starred as Will Turner in the *Pirates of the Caribbean* series. His career spans blockbuster cinema, West End and Broadway stages, and various philanthropic endeavors.

Early life and education

He was born in the historic city of Canterbury and was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. Encouraged by his mother, he attended the St Edmund's School, Canterbury before moving to London to study at the Fine Arts College in Hampstead. He later trained at the National Youth Theatre, which led to a scholarship at the British American Drama Academy. His professional training was completed at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where his classmates included actors like Joseph Fiennes.

Acting career

His professional breakthrough came with his casting in Peter Jackson's *The Fellowship of the Ring* (2001), a role that propelled him to global stardom. He subsequently starred opposite Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley in Gore Verbinski's *The Curse of the Black Pearl* (2003). Further major film roles include the historical epic *Troy* (2004) alongside Brad Pitt, and the drama *Kingdom of Heaven* (2005), directed by Ridley Scott. He returned to his iconic role for *The Desolation of Smaug* (2013) and has since appeared in films such as *The Outpost* (2019). On stage, he received critical acclaim for his performance in a 2007 West End revival of David Storey's play *In Celebration* and made his Broadway debut in 2013's *Romeo and Juliet*.

Personal life

He was in a high-profile relationship with Australian model Miranda Kerr from 2007 to 2013; the couple have one son. In 2016, he began a relationship with American singer Katy Perry; they became engaged in 2019 and married in 2020, with their daughter born in 2020. An avid practitioner of Buddhism, he is also a supporter of UNICEF and has been involved with the Chelsea Football Club charity foundation. He has residences in Los Angeles and England.

Philanthropy and activism

He has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2009, undertaking field visits to countries like Nepal and Liberia to advocate for children's rights. He is a longtime global ambassador for the British Red Cross and has supported their disaster relief efforts worldwide. He actively promotes environmental causes, working with organizations such as Global Green USA and the WWF. Additionally, he has been a vocal advocate for dyslexia awareness, sharing his personal experiences to support related educational initiatives.

Filmography and awards

His notable film credits include the *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy, the *Pirates of the Caribbean* series, *Elizabethtown* (2005), and *The Three Musketeers* (2011). For his work, he has received several accolades, including MTV Movie Awards, a Hollywood Film Award, and a ShoWest Award. He was also honored with a GQ Man of the Year award and has been nominated for Empire Awards and Saturn Awards for his performances in fantasy and adventure genres.

Category:English male film actors Category:1977 births Category:Living people