More than twenty years ago, the world held its breath as it followed the adventures of hobbits in the screen adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic novels, “The Lord of the Rings.” Peter Jackson’s films captivated audiences with grand battles, captivating storytelling, and unforgettable characters.
Becoming cult classics, they forever etched the names of the actors into cinema history. But how have these stars changed over the two decades that have passed?
1. Elijah Wood – Frodo Baggins
Age: 43
Elijah Wood had been actively acting before “The Lord of the Rings,” but it was through Jackson’s trilogy that he became one of the most sought-after actors of his generation. His filmography includes the fantasy romance “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and the adventurous tragicomedy “Everything Is Illuminated” (an adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel), as well as the historical drama “Bobby” and the thriller “Maniac,” detective film “Trust” and black comedy “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore” (plus, of course, “Wilfred” – the cult series about a talking dog).
In the 2020s, Elijah also lends his voice to video games, records audiobooks, and even engages in producing. Additionally, an important event occurred in Wood’s life at the end of 2019: he and his beloved, Danish producer Mette-Marie Kongsved, welcomed a son. “And how much I love being a father,” the actor declared in an interview with The Guardian.
