Orlando Bloom Biography

Orlando Bloom, actor

Birthdate: January 13, 1977

Birthplace: Kent, England

Sign: Capricorn

Orlando Jonathan Blanchard Bloom was born in Kent, England on January 13, 1977 to Sonia Copeland. His biological father was his mother's partner and family friend Colin Stone, but Bloom thought it was novelist Harry Saul Bloom. He found out about his real parentage when he was thirteen, nine years after Harry's death. His real father was made his legal guardian after Harry died.

Bloom suffered from dyslexia as a child. As encouraged by his mother, he moved to London in 1993 to take a two-year A Level course in Drama, Photography and Sculpture at Fine Arts College in Hampstead. Then, he joined the National Youth Theatre, spending two seasons and earning a scholarship to train at the British American Drama Academy.

He started his professional acting career in TV with guest roles in "Casualty" and "Midsomer Murders." His film debut was in 1997's "Wilde," starring Stephen Fry.

An accident in 1998 had led him to believe he wouldn't be able to walk anymore. He fell three stories from the terrace roof of a friend's house. But after just twelve days, he recovered and walked out of the hospital on crutches. He currently practices yoga and Pilates to strengthen his back, which has a screw from the steel plates that was inserted into his backbones after the fall.

His career breakthrough was in 2001 when he landed his first major movie role as Legolas in "The Lord of the Rings." He auditioned for the role of Faramir but director Peter Jackson thought he would be better as Legolas instead. He also had a brief but significant role in the war film "Black Hawk Down."

The success of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Black Hawk Down" had made Bloom one of the world's best known celebrities. He often made the Hollywood lists for hottest stars or hottest bachelors.

Another blockbuster hit for Bloom, which also has an ensemble cast, was the pirates movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" in 2003. He scored another hit flick in the 2004 Spring movie "Troy," which co-stars Brad Pitt and Eric Bana.

As of May 2007, the Hollywood heartthrob has appeared in four of the 15 highest grossing films of all time.

He became involved in an on-and-off relationship with actress Kate Bosworth from 2002 to 2006. He is currently dating Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr.

Bloom, who was raised in the Church of England, is currently a practicing Buddhist.