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Post by valderra on Aug 21, 2006 12:28:39 GMT -5
Elijah Wood - Frodo Baggins
Elijah Jordan Wood was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on January 28th, 1981. His parents are Warren and Debbie Wood, and he has an older brother, Zack, and a younger sister, Hannah.
At a young age, his mother took him to Los Angeles for an International Modeling and Talent Association Convention, and it wasn’t long before Elijah had landed himself an acting job. He won roles in both commercials and television, and got his first major part in the 1990 film "Avalon". His career took off, and he appeared in films such as Paradise, Radio Flyer, Forever Young, The Good Son, North, and the 1996 film remake of Flipper. Other films following include The Faculty and Deep Impact, both in 1998.
Elijah enjoys many hobbies, including reading, photography, fencing, surfing, singing, and collecting Star Wars memorabilia. His favorite band is The Smashing Pumpkins...
Elija Wood and The Lord of the Rings
Elijah first heard about "The Lord of the Rings" film project while he was filming "The Faculty", and immediately sensed this was the chance of a lifetime. Aided by friend and director George Huang, Elijah filmed his audition tape, and sent the video to director Peter Jackson in New Zealand.
“I rented a Hobbit costume and took a friend's video camera and did a few scenes out in the woods by my house." says Elijah. "I had wanted this role ever since I heard they were going to make the movie. I've been a big fan of the books.“
A few months later, Elijah was given the part of Frodo Baggins.
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Post by valderra on Aug 21, 2006 12:29:13 GMT -5
Sean Astin - Samwise Gamgee
Sean Patrick Astin was born February 25, 1971 in Santa Monica, California to John Astin (famous for playing Gomez on The Addams Family, among other things) and Patty Duke, both actors.
He graduated from UCLA with honors and a B.A. in History & English.
Although you may think that his first acting job was in "The Goonies" in 1985, it wasn't. In 1981, at age 9, Sean starred with his mother in the after school special "Please Don't Hit Me Mom". "The Goonies" followed and since then he has had a steady stream of good roles, including that of Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
His career in film has expanded much further than just acting. He directed and co-produced the short film "Kangaroo Court", which was nominated in the Best Short Film category at the 67th Annual Academy Awards in 1995. Interestingly enough, Sean's father was nominated for the same award in 1969.
Sean is now married to Christine Astin, and they have two daughters, Alexandra Louise, born Nov. 27, 1996, and Elizabeth Louise born Aug 6, 2002.
Sean Astin and The Lord of the Rings
Sean gained 30 pounds for his role as Samwise. While filming the scene where Sam rushes through the river after Frodo, Sean Astin stepped on a branch that was sticking up from the riverbed. It pierced his foot, even through the prosthetic foot, which bled so much he had to be airlifted to a hospital.
Says Astin: “Despite all the rigors, all of us wanted our Hobbits to be as real and as human as possible, so it's almost beside the point that we have big huge furry feet and long curly hair and big ears and we're only half the size of the humans. I wanted all the emotions, all the interplay, to be real, honest and grounded in a sense of authenticity. When people refer to LOTR as a fantasy, it almost makes me wince because, to me, it was real. I approached the portrayal and the interpretation of the character as a very real, human-like specimen.”
On December 4, 2001, Sean had his image as Samwise Gamgee immortalized on a 90 cent New Zealand postage stamp that he shares with Lord of the Rings co-star Elijah Wood ('Frodo Baggins'). However, Sean's last name is spelled incorrectly on the presentation pack of the stamps (Austin instead of Astin).
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Post by valderra on Aug 21, 2006 12:29:44 GMT -5
Viggo Mortensen - Aragorn
Viggo Mortensen was born on October 20, 1958, in New York, and is the eldest of three sons. His father, Viggo Mortensen Sr., is Danish; his mother, Grace, is an American. After spending his early years in Manhattan, Viggo spent the rest of his youth in Denmark, Argentina, Egypt, and Venezuela. In his early 20’s, Viggo returned to New York and began to study acting at Warren Robertson’s Theatre Workshop. His stage career earned him a Dramalogue Critics Award for the L.A.Coast Playhouse premiere of Bent.
Viggo’s feature film debut came in 1985. He portrayed the Amish brother of Alexander Godunov in the film "Witness". Many film performances (over 30 to date) steadily followed, and Viggo became well-known and admired for his great diversity of characters. Some of his most memorable work include roles in The Indian Runner, The Prophecy, Carlito’s Way, Crimson Tide, and The Portrait of a Lady. His role in the film "A Perfect Murder" (which co-starred Michael Douglas) was also accompanied by a featuring of Viggo’s own artwork.
He has had many successful gallery exhibitions in both Los Angeles and New York. Viggo has had 3 poetry/jazz album releases, and his published books are Ten Last Night (poetry), Recent Forgeries (poetry, paintings and photography) and Sign Language (photography and paintings).
He speaks several languages, including fluent English, Danish, and Spanish, and as an adult has travelled half the globe. Viggo was briefly married to punk-rock singer Christine Cervenka, and has a 14 year-old son named Henry.
Viggo Mortensen and The Lord of the Rings
Originally, the role of Aragorn was to be played by Irish actor Stuart Townsend, but Townsend left the production shortly after it begun. The part was offered to Viggo a few days after shooting had begun, and he was wanted in New Zealand immediately. When Mortensen was uncertain, concerned about the very long film schedule, it was his young son, Henry, who convinced him to accept the role - a decision Viggo admits was one of the best things he ever did. The next day, he was on his way to New Zealand. From the moment filming began Viggo completely threw himself into the character of Aragorn.
Says director Peter Jackson: "Viggo has embraced the character of Aragorn so thoroughly it's difficult to imagine the two being separate now. I'm not sure he even lives in a house anymore." He also stated that he had “never ever witnessed an actor enter into the spirit of a role the way Viggo did”.
Off-set, Mortensen wore his ‘ranger’ attire while horseback riding to give it that ‘weatherworn’ look, also mending and washing the costume himself. He became so attached to the horse (Uraeus) he rode in the LOTR films, that he came out from Wellington several times a week for riding lessons.
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Post by valderra on Aug 21, 2006 12:30:30 GMT -5
Orlando Bloom - Legolas
Orlando Bloom was born January 13th, 1977, in Canterbury, England. His father (novelist and anti-apartheid activist Harry Bloom) died when he was only four years old. When Bloom found out his childhood hero – Superman Christopher Reeve – was an actor, he knew that this was the direction for him. When he was 16 he moved to London to help his career, and joined the National Youth Theatre. After spending 2 years training there, he was awarded a scholarship with the British American Drama Academy.
He had a cameo in the film "Wilde", but instead of accepting the offers of films this led to, he decided to attend the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. There he appeared in various plays such as "Twelfth Night" and "The Seagull". He also appeared in small roles in "Casualty" and "Midsomer Murders".
In 1998, Orlando broke his back when he fell from a rooftop terrace, and was told by doctors he might never walk again. Two weeks later, following surgery, he left the hospital on crutches. He admits to being accident prone, having broken – among other things – both legs, an arm, and cracked his skull on three occasions.
Orlando won the role of Legolas in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ just a few days before he graduated. After filming the trilogy, he won a role in the film "Black Hawk Down". He also appeared in a 2002 Gap commercial, directed by Cameron Crowe.
Bloom won both the 2002 MVT Movie Award for 'Breakthrough Male', and Best Deput at the 2002 Empire Awards, both for LOTR.
He played in The Kelly Gang (Aka Ned Kelly, with Heath Ledger), Pirates of the Caribbean(with Johnny Depp), The Calcium Kid, and Troy.
Bloom loves animals, is a vegetarian, and hopes to one day have his own sculpting studio.
Orlando Bloom and The Lord of the Rings
Bloom originally auditioned for the part of Faramir, but was instead asked to play Legolas. He shaved his hair into a mohawk for the role. He explained that this lifts the hairline, which better suits the 'elven features' and wig he wears in the films.
Of Legolas', Bloom says: "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".
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Post by valderra on Aug 21, 2006 12:31:07 GMT -5
Ian McKellen - Gandalf
Sir Ian Mckellen was born on May 25th, 1939, in Burnley, England. He had an early appreciation for the theatre, which was encouraged by both his parents Denis and Margery. They took Ian to many plays, particularly Shakespearean ones, and he made an effort to get parts in all school plays as well. His very first Shakespearean role was at Bolton School, as Malvolio in "Twelfth Night". He loved to attend Stratford-upon-Avon theater festivals and watch greats like Gielgud, Richardson, and Olivier perform. He studied English at Cambridge University, and appeared in over 20 undergraduate productions. In 1961, Mckellen received his Bachelor of Arts degree, and spend the next few years in a theatre career. A Scent of Flowers in 1964 was his first London appearance, and it won him the Clarence Derwent Award, as well as an invitation from Sir Laurence Olivier to join the National Theatre Company at the Old Vic Theatre.
In 1968, Ian Mckellen went public with his homosexuality on the BBC Radio 4 program. He has been active in the Gay Rights Movements from that time on.
Sir Ian worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company at both Stratford-upon-Avon and London, and his roles included Romeo, Macbeth, Iago, and Leontes. His many awards on Broadway include a Tony for Best Actor in the 1980-1981 run of Amadeus. Wild Honey, The Critic, Bent, Uncle Vanya, and Peter Pan are among his successes at the Royal National Theatre – where he is also a Board member. He toured the world with Richard III, and the film version (which he co-scripted) was a huge success - one which got him a Globe nomination for Best Actor in 1996.
For his work in the arts, Sir Ian was knighted in 1990 by Queen Elizabeth.
Cold Comfort Farm, Rasputin, The Band Played On, Apt Pupil, X-Men, and Gods and Monsters are among Sir Ian’s film successes, ones that earned him several nominations and awards. "Gods and Monsters" earned him nominations for both a Golden Globe and Academy Award as Best Actor (1999).
Ian McKellen and The Lord of the Rings
Sir Ian had read "The Hobbit", but not "The Lord of the Rings" when the film project began. When asked if he had since read the books, he responded:
“Oh, yes. They even became our bible. There was even a pocket in Gandalf's costume to carry it. I went through the book and underlined everything that was said about Gandalf, by Tolkien or by the other characters or by himself - and tried to incorporate as much of that as was appropriate. I got a lot of correspondence through my Web site from fans, and one of them said, "Would you make sure that Gandalf wears boots? I don't want to see him in any pointed shoes." They must have been referring to some illustration from one of the book illustrations. So I took that idea to the designer, and so Gandalf got to wear boots.”
His spectacular portrayal as Gandalf earned him the Screen Actors Guild award for Best Supporting Actor, and a nomination for the Academy Award.
Sir Ian: “I can't be everybody's Gandalf, I have to be the Gandalf that belongs in this particular movie and he comes out of myself, out of the script, and out of my response to it. If that Gandalf happens to accord with every other people's Gandalf, I shall be delighted."
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