‘The Lord of the Rings’ Stars: Where Are They Now?

It feels like ages ago we first journeyed to Middle Earth, and I’ve been keeping tabs on the cast ever since. They’ve all been incredibly busy – popping up in huge franchises, building impressive stage careers, and even moving behind the camera to direct and produce. I’ve put together a little rundown of what the original Fellowship and some of their key companions have been up to since they finished their quest to destroy the One Ring.

Elijah Wood

Elijah Wood is known for his roles in the comedy series ‘Wilfred’ and the drama ‘Yellowjackets,’ and he’s become a successful voice actor. He also co-founded SpectreVision, a film company specializing in genre movies like ‘Mandy’ and ‘Color Out of Space.’ He remains active in independent films, animation, and regularly attends events for fans.

Ian McKellen

I’ve always been a huge fan of Sir Ian McKellen, and it’s amazing to see how consistently he works! From reprising his role as Magneto in the ‘X-Men’ movies to constantly returning to the stage for major Shakespearean plays, he’s just incredible. He’s also led some really wonderful films like ‘Mr. Holmes’ and been in projects like ‘The Good Liar’ and ‘The Critic’. Even now, he’s still touring with the theater and doing West End shows, and I really admire that he uses his platform to support the arts and fight for equality. He’s a true legend!

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen has received praise for his acting in films like ‘Captain Fantastic’ and was part of the Best Picture-winning ‘Green Book’. Beyond acting, he’s a filmmaker, having directed and composed the music for ‘Falling’, and later writing and directing ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’. More recently, he’s appeared in ‘Crimes of the Future’ and taken on roles in films from around the world, often performing in multiple languages.

Orlando Bloom

As a movie fan, I was thrilled to see Orlando Bloom reprise his role as Will Turner in the later ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films – he really owned that part! Beyond that, he’s become a pretty solid leading man, starring in shows like ‘Carnival Row’ and action flicks like ‘Gran Turismo’. But it’s cool to see he also uses his platform for good, working with UNICEF and getting involved in important humanitarian efforts.

Sean Astin

Sean Astin is known for his roles in popular shows like ‘Stranger Things’, ‘No Good Nick’, and ‘The Big Bang Theory’. He’s also a prolific voice actor, lending his talent to projects like ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and various animated films. Beyond acting, Astin frequently appears at conventions where he speaks about the importance of teamwork and giving back to the community.

Dominic Monaghan

Dominic Monaghan is known for his roles in shows like ‘Lost’ and ‘Moonhaven,’ as well as independent films. Beyond acting, he’s passionate about nature and travel, often creating related content and supporting wildlife conservation. He also co-hosts a podcast called ‘The Friendship Onion’ with Billy Boyd, where they reminisce about their time working together and chat with interesting guests.

Billy Boyd

Billy Boyd is a multi-talented artist who performs music with his band, Beecake, and has acted in shows like ‘Outlander’. He’s also known for recording the song ‘The Last Goodbye’ for ‘The Hobbit’ and providing music for various films and TV projects. Beyond performing, Billy co-hosts the podcast ‘The Friendship Onion’ with Dominic Monaghan and regularly attends fan conventions.

Sean Bean

Sean Bean is a well-known actor, famous for roles in shows like ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Time,’ and ‘Snowpiercer.’ He recently reprised his role in the ‘Sharpe’ series and continues to act in films. Beyond acting, he also works as a narrator for documentaries and video games, and actively supports charitable organizations in the UK.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett has received critical acclaim and major awards for her roles in films like ‘Blue Jasmine’ and ‘Tár’. She’s also known for her work in television series such as ‘Mrs. America’ and movies like ‘Nightmare Alley’ and ‘Borderlands’. Beyond acting, she co-runs the production company Dirty Films and remains active in both international film and stage productions.

Liv Tyler

Liv Tyler is known for her roles in shows like ‘The Leftovers’ and ‘Harlots’, and she reprised her part as Betty Ross in the Marvel movies. Beyond acting, she dedicates her time to working with UNICEF and continues to be involved in both fashion and charitable causes.

Hugo Weaving

Hugo Weaving is known for his roles in films such as ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ and ‘Hearts and Bones’, and the series ‘Patrick Melrose’. He’s a regular performer in Australian theater, frequently appearing at the Sydney Theatre Company and other theaters, and continues to work on both stage productions and screen projects.

Andy Serkis

Andy Serkis is known for his innovative work in performance capture, notably in films like ‘Planet of the Apes’ and ‘Star Wars’. He also acted as Alfred in ‘The Batman’ and directed ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’. Beyond acting and directing, Serkis owns The Imaginarium, a company specializing in performance capture and production, and continues to lend his voice to numerous video games and animated projects.

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee remained active in acting until his nineties, appearing in films like ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Wicker Tree’. Beyond acting, he pursued music, recording symphonic metal albums and lending his voice to documentaries. He died in 2015, leaving behind a remarkable career spanning horror, fantasy, and adventure films.

John Rhys-Davies

John Rhys-Davies returned as Sallah in ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ and remains consistently active in film and TV. He’s also a prolific voice actor in animated projects and video games. A popular figure at fan conventions around the globe, he dedicates his time to supporting historical preservation and environmental causes.

Karl Urban

Karl Urban is known for his roles as Billy Butcher in ‘The Boys’ and Dr. McCoy in the ‘Star Trek’ movies. He’s also appeared in films like ‘Dredd’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ and is a popular face at fan conventions. He consistently works on a variety of exciting TV and film projects.

Miranda Otto

Miranda Otto is an actress known for her roles in popular shows like ‘Homeland’ and ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’, where she played Zelda. She recently starred in the acclaimed horror film ‘Talk to Me’ and works on both Australian and international film and television projects. She also participates in limited-run series and continues to perform on stage in Australia.

Bernard Hill

After his role in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, Bernard Hill continued to act in TV dramas and documentaries, including the British series ‘Wolf Hall’. He died in 2024 and will be fondly remembered for his powerful performances on screen.

Ian Holm

Ian Holm, known for playing Bilbo Baggins in ‘The Hobbit’ movies, also worked extensively in television and radio. He wrote a memoir about his life as an actor. Holm died in 2020 and is remembered as a remarkably talented performer in both film and theater.

David Wenham

David Wenham is an actor known for his roles in films like ‘300’ and ‘Elvis’, as well as the television series ‘Top of the Lake’. He continues to work across film, TV, and stage, and is also a supporter of the arts.

Share your favorite Middle Earth alum updates in the comments and tell us who surprised you most.

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2025-10-15 20:00