Diksia.com - The Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful and influential film series of all time, based on the epic fantasy novel by J. R. R. Tolkien. The film trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, features an ensemble cast of talented actors who brought the characters of Middle-earth to life on the big screen. The films were released from 2001 to 2003 and received critical acclaim and numerous awards, as well as a huge fan following.
But what happened to the actors who played the roles of Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Galadriel, and the rest of the Fellowship? Where are they now and what are they doing? In this article, we will take a look at the careers and lives of the actors who starred in The Lord of the Rings film series, and see how they have changed over the years.
Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins
Elijah Wood was only 18 years old when he was cast as the hobbit hero Frodo Baggins, who embarks on a perilous quest to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron. Wood’s performance as Frodo was praised by critics and fans alike, and he became one of the most recognizable faces of the film series.
After The Lord of the Rings, Wood continued to act in various films and TV shows, such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Sin City, Everything Is Illuminated, The Romantics, The Last Witch Hunter, and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. He also reprised his role as Frodo in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first film of the prequel trilogy. Wood is also a voice actor, lending his voice to characters in animated films and shows, such as Happy Feet, 9, Tron: Uprising, Over the Garden Wall, and Star Wars Resistance.
Wood is also a producer and co-founder of SpectreVision, a production company that focuses on horror and genre films, such as The Greasy Strangler, The Boy, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, and Mandy. Wood is also a DJ and a fan of music, especially indie rock. He has a record label called Simian Records, and has hosted a podcast called Wooden Wisdom. Wood is currently 40 years old and lives in Los Angeles.
Ian McKellen as Gandalf
Ian McKellen is one of the most respected and acclaimed actors of his generation, with a career spanning over six decades in theatre, film, and television. He was already a legend when he was cast as the wise and powerful wizard Gandalf, who guides and protects the Fellowship on their journey. McKellen’s portrayal of Gandalf was widely praised and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for The Fellowship of the Ring.
After The Lord of the Rings, McKellen continued to play iconic roles in film and TV, such as Magneto in the X-Men franchise, King Lear in a TV adaptation, Sherlock Holmes in Mr. Holmes, and Cogsworth in the live-action Beauty and the Beast. He also reprised his role as Gandalf in The Hobbit trilogy, and appeared in The Good Liar, Cats, and The Eternals. McKellen is also a prolific stage actor, performing in various plays and musicals, such as Waiting for Godot, The Seagull, King Lear, and Hamlet. He is also an activist and a co-founder of Stonewall, a LGBT rights charity. McKellen is currently 82 years old and lives in London.
Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn
Viggo Mortensen was a relatively unknown actor when he was cast as Aragorn, the heir of Isildur and the rightful king of Gondor, who joins the Fellowship as a ranger and a warrior. Mortensen’s performance as Aragorn was praised for his charisma, intensity, and physicality, and he became one of the most popular characters of the film series.
After The Lord of the Rings, Mortensen continued to act in various films, such as A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, The Road, A Dangerous Method, Captain Fantastic, and Green Book. He also made his directorial debut with Falling, a drama film that he also wrote, produced, and starred in. Mortensen is also a musician, poet, painter, and photographer, and has published several books of his works. He is also a fan of soccer and supports the Argentine team San Lorenzo de Almagro. Mortensen is currently 63 years old and lives in Madrid.
Orlando Bloom as Legolas
Orlando Bloom was only 23 years old and had just graduated from drama school when he was cast as Legolas, the elf prince of Mirkwood and a skilled archer, who joins the Fellowship as a representative of his people. Bloom’s performance as Legolas was praised for his grace, agility, and charm, and he became one of the most popular and attractive actors of the film series.
After The Lord of the Rings, Bloom continued to act in various films, most notably as Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which made him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. He also appeared in films such as Troy, Kingdom of Heaven, Elizabethtown, The Three Musketeers, and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies. He also starred in TV shows such as Carnival Row and Easy. Bloom is also a humanitarian and a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. He is also a fan of Buddhism and yoga. Bloom is currently 44 years old and lives in Los Angeles. He is married to singer Katy Perry and has two children.
Cate Blanchett as Galadriel
Cate Blanchett is one of the most acclaimed and versatile actors of her generation, with a career spanning over three decades in theatre, film, and television. She was already an Oscar-nominated actor when she was cast as Galadriel, the elf queen of Lothlorien and one of the most powerful beings in Middle-earth, who aids the Fellowship and resists the temptation of the One Ring. Blanchett’s performance as Galadriel was praised for her elegance, wisdom, and beauty, and she became one of the most respected actors of the film series.
After The Lord of the Rings, Blanchett continued to act in various films, winning two Oscars for her roles in The Aviator and Blue Jasmine. She also appeared in films such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Battle of the Five Armies, Carol, Thor: Ragnarok, and Ocean’s 8. She also starred in TV shows such as Mrs. America and Stateless. Blanchett is also a theatre actor and director, and was the co-artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company from 2008 to 2013. She is also a philanthropist and a goodwill ambassador for the UNHCR. Blanchett is currently 52 years old and lives in England. She is married to playwright Andrew Upton and has four children.
Conclusion
The Lord of the Rings film series is a cinematic masterpiece that has left a lasting impact on the world of film and fantasy. The actors who played the roles of the beloved characters of Middle-earth have also left a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of the fans. They have gone on to have successful and diverse careers and lives, while still maintaining their connection to the film series and each other. They are truly a fellowship of actors, and we are grateful for their contribution to the legacy of The Lord of the Rings.
