Orlando Bloom

Background

Born to a physician mother and a South African anti-apartheid novelist he initially believed to be his father, Bloom lived with his family in Canterbury, Kent. When he was 13, it was revealed that his biological father was Colin Stone, a family friend who later became his legal guardian after the death of his mother’s husband. During his time at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury, Bloom was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disability characterized by reading and writing difficulties. This did not detract from the fact that he had a verified high I.Q. score, and it helped him become a better actor because of the extra effort he had to put into being prepared.

Encouraged by his mother, Bloom began to pursue a career in the arts. At 16, he joined the National Youth Theatre in London and won a scholarship to attend the British American Drama Academy. Afterward, Bloom took television roles on shows like “Casualty” and the movie “Wilde,” which premiered in 1997. To hone his skills, he studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Two days after his graduation, Bloom took on the role of Legolas in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Next, he starred in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” which was a blockbuster hit. Thereafter, Bloom took on immensely successful roles in and starred in “Troy,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Elizabethtown,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.” All of these roles have made him a powerhouse in the movie industry. In 2007, he acted in the drama “In Celebration” and “An Education” later in 2008. In 2013, he made his Broadway debut as Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet,” a performance that left critics in awe of his acting skills. Later, in 2017, he reprised his role as Will Turner in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” His most recent role was the war movie “The Outpost,” where he played the character Benjamin Keating.

Naturally, his personal life has come under public scrutiny. Bloom lives a fulfilled life nurturing his philanthropic pursuits and engaging in a sustainable lifestyle, and has visited schools and villages to support environmental and educational programs. Since his divorce from Miranda Kerr in 2013, Bloom has been dating American singer Katy Perry, and they have a daughter together.