Orlando Bloom was born in Canterbury, Kent, England in 1977. Most people didn’t know that Orlando struggled with dyslexia and struggled with his schoolwork, but shined in the arts. He actively participated in school plays and his local theatre, as well as winning many poetry and Bible reciting contests with his sister. Soon after he started his acting career, he landed parts in British television shows and appeared in the movie Wilde. Orlando attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and in 1998 fell from three stories from a rooftop terrace and broke his back. He quickly recovered and rejoined the stage to pursue his dreams. In 1999, he was offered his big break as the part of Legolas in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and thereafter Pirates of the Caribbean, which let him branch off and become the big name he is today.

This past year, Orlando decided to change up his life by starring in a Broadway musical as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Orlando has been praised for this roll, but the production itself has received mixed reviews. Shakespeare’s play gets a modern take and “packs Hollywood star power, but lacks emotional fireworks” says New York Daily News. The production gets called soggy, and gimmicky and the relationship of Romeo and Juliet gets criticized for not having the spark to make the play stand out. Orlando at age 36 is being criticized for being “too old” for the role. Was Orlando right for the part? Or should he just stick to his movie roles? Many people have different opinions but nothing will change his heart for acting.