The Lord Of The Rings Star: 15 Intriguing Facts About Elijah Wood 

The Lord Of The Rings Star: 15 Intriguing Facts About Elijah Wood 

I love watching movies! The three Lord of the Rings movies, i.e. The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King are some of the greatest I have ever watched! Today I will not review these films but I will tell you all about one of the featured Actors.

Elijah Wood is an American actor, film producer, and DJ who, for decades, has captivated audiences worldwide with his captivating performances and versatile acting prowess. His journey into the world of cinema began at an early age, showcasing his innate talent and undeniable charisma.

The actor is best known for his outstanding portrayal of Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. His iconic role catapulted his acting career, earning him numerous roles in various films, and television shows, thus making him a household name.

There is much more to Wood than meets the eye, making him an interesting person both on and off-screen. Let us get to know some interesting tidbits and lesser-known facts about Elijah Wood. Here are 15 intriguing facts about Elijah Wood, the Lord of the Rings star.

1. Elijah Started Acting At A Young Age 

Jason and Jane Upshaw, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Elijah Woods was born on 28th January 1981 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His acting career began at the tender age of seven, at a time when he was taking piano lessons and modeling in his hometown. He appeared in a local production dabbed The Sound of Music, and played the title character in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz while in elementary school. Wood also served as a choirboy in “See How They Run”.  

His talent did not go unnoticed and he started landing other roles in television shows and local commercials. Wood got his first break in a music video for Paula Abdul’s “Forever Your Girl, followed by a role in the film “Child in the Night”, and a minor role in Back to the Future Part II. 

2. He Is Of English, German, Austrian, And Danish Ancestry 

Elijah Wood’s ancestry is a mix of European ethnicities, including English, German, Austrian, and Danish. His grandparents and great-grandparents came from those places. Elijah’s parents are Debbie (née Krause) and Warren Wood who sadly divorced when he was 15. He is the second-born child of three children and was raised in a roman catholic household.

Elijah has an elder brother named Zacharia, and a younger sister, Hannah. His siblings are also famous, with his sister being an actress while his elder brother is a video game producer. 

3. His Family Sold Their Deli in Iowa to Catapult His Career 

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When Woods’ mother noticed his talent and interest in acting, she decided to take him to an International Modeling and Talent Association annual convention in Los Angeles. This move led to the closure and sale of his parent’s delicatessen in 1989.

It was not an easy decision and the family moved without their father Warren. The decision to move paid off as Wood began starring in different roles as a child actor. Due to the nature of his career, he rarely went to school but had tutors on set or at home. 

4. Elijah Was a Devoted Fan of Tolkien’s Work Since His Early Teens 

At the age of seven, Wood became a die-hard fan of  J.R.R. Tolkien’s work when he started reading the Lord of the Rings books. He became an avid reader of the Hobbit novels and became so engrossed in it that he dressed up as Frodo Baggins when his agent told him to go to the audition.

Elijah even made a tape using a dialogue coach to hone the accent, shot a scene, cut and edited it, and sent it out.  Wood was determined to land the role of Frodo and his hard work paid off later. His devotion and passion for the source material played a part in portraying the hobbit hero. 

5. He Owns A Record Label 

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In 2005, Wood launched his record label, Simian Records. Growing up, Wood picked up musical influences from his parents which led to a passion for music. His ancestral family also has musical roots which can be traced back to the 1880s, when one of them belonged to an Austrian and Hungarian orchestra.  

The record label recorded the first album titled ‘New Magnetic Wonder’ which was released in 2007, by the Apples in Stereo band. Wood also directed the band’s music video. Unfortunately, the band later dissolved in 2015.  ‘Heloise’ and ‘Savoir Faire’ bands also recorded under the label.  

6. Elijah Wood Is A Passionate  D.J

Together with his friend Zach Cowie, Wood became a well-known D.J. and performed in various events between 2012 and 2015. They formed the quirky name Wooden Wisdom and toured the world, leaving memorable and enjoyable moments for their fans. The duo performed in various events such as the opening of the Brickell City Centre, the Bushmills Live 2012 festival, and the pre-Emmy party at The London West Hollywood hotel. 

7. He Is A Voice-Acting Prow 

Dysepsion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wood has taken on many voice-acting roles over the years, lending his talented voice to animated films and series. He provided the voice of the main character Wirt in Cartoon Network’s animated miniseries “Over the Garden Wall”, including others such as Nick Johnsmith / Gristol Malik in Psychonauts 2, “The Incredibles”, “Happy Feet Two” and “9”. He also lent his voice to video games such as “Spyro the Dragon” and “God of War,”.  

8. Elijah Is A Family Man 

Wood met the love of his life Mette-Marie Kongsved when they worked together on the 2017 film “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore”.  Kongsved gained recognition from the film and it received critical acclaim and also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The couple made their first appearance in 2019 when they attended the Rodarte fashion show in San Marino, California.  

The couple has managed to keep their life out of the spotlight, preferring to keep their life private. They have two children together, a son born in 2019 and a daughter born in 2022. His Danish wife is a film producer and together they co-founded a production company, SpectreVision, which focuses on producing innovative and unique genre films.  

9. He Got A Tattoo Of The Elvish Word For “Nine” 

anna Hanks from Austin, Texas, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Elijah became incredibly close with the cast of the Lord of the Rings while filming since they spent a lot of time on set. This led to long-lasting friendships. In honor of the experience and the time spent working together, eight of the cast and a stunt double decided to get matching tattoos together. The members of the fellowship took the plunge and collectively decided to get a tattoo of the Elvish word for “Nine”.  

Wood was tattooed below his waist on the right side of his hip. The nine was tattooed in Tolkien’s constructed script of Elvish Tengwar, famously developed by J.R.R Tolkien. Other cast members that got inked include Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Dominic Monaghan, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Sean Bean.

Elijah has several tattoos on him and there is a story for each of them.

10. Elijah Reconnected With His Dad After Years Of Separation 

Elijah Wood’s parents separated when he was 15 and he had neither seen nor spoken to his dad for several years. As he got older, he wanted to rediscover his relationship with his dad and since they reconnected, their communication has been good. Elijah is happy that he is now closer to his dad and has a healthy relationship with him. He has also gotten closer to his dad’s side of the family after a long time.  

11. Elijah Credits His Mum For Keeping Him On Track 

anna Hanks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When Wood began his acting career as a child, his mum played a pivotal role in ensuring that he never went off the rails. His mother ensured he stayed humble by making him hang his clothes and telling him to never jump the lunch queues on set as actors were encouraged to do.  

He is happy that he has never had major drug problems or a negative lifestyle. His mother’s drilling helped shape who he is today. Additionally, he says his acting career and fame have never really defined how he lives his life. 

12. He Is An Active Humanitarian  

Wood is big on charity and was even honored for his charity work at a ceremony in Los Angeles in 2021. He works closely with several charities and nonprofit organizations such as ‘Keep a Child Alive’ and ‘Youth AIDS.’ In 2010, Wood visited the Chilean town of Curepto, one of the hardest hit by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake. He visited many of the victims in Chile after the quake and was accompanied by, Cecilia Morel- the first lady of Chile. 

He is also an avid supporter of the work of ‘The Art of Elysium’ and their use of art to heal, engage, and inspire hospitalized children. He has also been a DJ at several of their fundraiser events. 

13. His Makeup And Prosthetics For His Role As Frodo Took Over An Hour Every Day To Complete

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wood and his fellow cast had to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to get ready in time since the makeup process was a lengthy ordeal. The process also involved getting fitted for wigs, and attaching prosthetics.  

The process that took the longest was attaching Frodo’s feet which had to be reattached several times throughout the day because the glue kept wearing off due to sweat. The director later gifted Wood with one ring, a pair of Frodo’s hobbit’s feet, and his blade sting as memorabilia. 

14. Wood Has A Habit Of Biting His Fingernails While On Set 

Wood had developed a habit of constantly biting his fingernails which led to less aesthetically pleasing close-up shots featuring the One Ring on set. However, there is also a scene that features a pair of well-manicured hands that contrast his ragged fingernails. The production team has received accolades for the attention to detail in their intricate costume designs and life-like props used on set. 

15. Wood Is An Award-winning Actor

Jason and Jane Upshaw, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wood’s acting prowess, talent, and hard work did not go unnoticed. He has won numerous awards such as the Young Star Awards, Young Hollywood Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, and so much more.  

Those are the 15 intriguing facts about Elijah Wood. His acting career from a young age is a true inspiration to other young upcoming actors to chase their dreams no matter what. Wood’s legacy of hard work, dedication, passion, philanthropy, and achievements cannot go unnoticed and he will always remain one of the greatest actors of all time.