early years
Mark Alan Ruffalo was born on November 22, 1967. His homeland is the picturesque town of Kenosha, formed in the mid-19th century by Italian emigrants. Probably among them were the ancestors of Mark, who has Italian blood in his blood. The actor owes his bright appearance, wild curls and hot character to his roots.
Mark Ruffalo in childhood and now
The elder Ruffalo was a builder, and the actor's mother, Maria, was a hairdresser. The family had four children, which did not prevent Mary and Frank from getting a divorce, despite the Catholic faith, in which divorce is considered one of the worst sins. For young Mark this was the first psychological trauma.
Benicio Del Toro and Mark Ruffalo
In his youth, Mark was fond of wrestling and was destined for a great sports career. His school performance was poor due to his congenital dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. Another passion of the young man was art, which in the end prevailed. Soon after his family moved to Los Angeles, he entered an acting studio, where during his studies he became friends with another talented student, Benicio del Toro.
Mark Ruffalo: biography
Mark Alan Ruffalo is an American actor, star of the films “The Avengers”, “In”, “Between Heaven and Earth” and others. Today, Ruffalo is one of the leaders in the number of nominations for prestigious film awards: he has competed for film festival awards more than 130 times, of which he emerged victorious 27 times.
Mark was born in Kenosha, located in the US state of Wisconsin. The boy's mother, Marie Rose Hébert, worked as a hairdresser-stylist, and his father, Frank Lawrence Ruffalo, who had an art education, was an interior designer. In addition to Mark, the family raised three more children: daughters Tanya and Nicole and son Scott.
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Actor Mark Ruffalo
Ruffalo spent his early childhood in Wisconsin, and his teenage years in Virginia, where the young man became interested in wrestling. During those same years, the boy struggled with dyslexia, which prevented the child from learning. Later, Mark and his family moved to the Californian city of San Diego, and after school he entered the Los Angeles Stella Adler Conservatory in the performing arts department. The young man combined his studies with acting at the Orpheus Theater, where he acted as an actor and director.
However, Mark Ruffalo was uncontrollably attracted to cinema, and he did not miss almost a single casting. The guy worked as a bartender for almost 10 years to pay for housing and food. And only at the age of 33 he received a role that gave him popularity and was able to provide him financially.
Vocation
After graduation, the young man was briefly a member of a theater troupe. Although he was a theater fan, cinema still attracted him more, and Mark began to participate in castings.
Mark Ruffalo in his youth
In an interview, the actor says that he never wanted fame. He just wanted to do what his soul was striving for. Being a devout Catholic, he tried to steadfastly accept rejections and take the blow, continuing to take part in auditions again and again.
True, according to Mark, he sometimes gave vent to his emotions and, out of powerlessness and resentment, beat his fists on the walls of his tiny rented room, and then covered them with posters of famous actors. To somehow make ends meet, he worked as a bartender. Mark perceived his work as another step towards his dream and used it to observe people whose manners he copied while honing his acting skills.
First success
Mark was over thirty years old when he achieved success. He first appeared on screen in 1996 in the trash horror film “The Dentist” with the brilliant Corbin Bernsen as a maniac doctor. However, the rise of the new star passed unnoticed. For three years, Mark played only a few roles. But one of them became for the young actor a lucky ticket to the world of big cinema.
Still from the film “The Dentist”
In 1999, the film “You Can Count on Me” was released. Its director was Kenneth Lonergan, whom Mark knew from working in the theater. The young actor’s partner was the already famous Laura Linney. The film won several awards and nominations, and for the first time Hollywood bosses drew attention to Mark Ruffalo.
Mark Ruffalo in the movie You Can Count on Me
From 1999 to 2003, Mark began to receive offers and quickly managed to create a reputation as an easy-going and obliging actor who knows how to completely get used to the role. During this period, he starred in the hilarious comedy Apartment 12, in which he played a young artist forced to get along with his restless apartment neighbors. And in the films “Windtalkers” and “The Last Castle” the young actor played on a par with the famous Robert Redford, Peter Stromare and Nicolas Cage.
Career[ | ]
He worked in the theater for nine years; fame came to him in 2000 after his role in the film “You Can Count on Me.” In 2003, Mark was preparing to film Signs when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
In 2011, he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the film The Kids Are All Right. In 2020, he received a second Oscar nomination and was awarded numerous awards for his role as an Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling in the drama Foxcatcher. A year later, he received an Oscar nomination for the third time for his role in the drama Spotlight.
Tests
As you know, fate gives a lot to its favorites. But in return, capricious fortune sometimes gives tests, after passing which, its favorite only becomes stronger. This is what happened in Mark's case.
Mark Ruffalo has had his fair share of challenges in his life.
Inspired by success, the actor did not immediately notice a deterioration in his health, which he attributed to fatigue. When Mark asked for help, doctors diagnosed him with an acoustic neuroma, which had grown to such a size that it required immediate surgical intervention. As it turned out later, the tumor was benign, but even in this case, delay could cost Mark his life.
In 2008, one of Mark’s best friends, everyone’s favorite actor Heath Ledger, died. And at the end of the same year, the actor experienced another shock when he learned about the death of his brother. Detectives have never been able to find out whether Scott Ruffalo was shot, committed suicide, or whether his death was an accident.
Heath Ledger is one of Mark Ruffalo's best friends
Mark endured life's trials with dignity. The actor devoted himself completely to his favorite work, which helped him survive the loss of loved ones.
Main roles
The period from 2003 to 2010 was marked by enormous success for Mark. The actor acquired his own recognizable style and fame as a master of deep dramatic acting. During this period, he played in more than 30 films, each of which took its rightful place in the world film stock.
The period from 2003 to 2010 was marked by Mark's enormous success
Among the films in which Mark's acting talent shone was the critically acclaimed film in which the actor formed a wonderful ensemble with Laura Dern, Peter Krause and Naomi Watts. And the role of a policeman in “The Dark Side of Passion”, performed by Mark Ruffalo, made his army of fans literally go crazy. In the story of the investigation of a terrible murder, permeated with exquisite eroticism, Meg Ryan played along with Ruffalo, as well as Jennifer Jason Leigh. “We Don’t Live Here Anymore” - trailer In 2008, the actor worked in the apocalyptic film “Blindness,” Mark’s partners were Julianne Moore and Danny Glover, and one of his close friends, Gabriel Garcia Bernal.
Mark Ruffalo and Julianne Moore
2010 brought the actor a BAFTA nomination for his role in the comedy The Kids Are All Right and the opportunity to form a brilliant cast with Leo DiCaprio, Max von Sydow and Sir Ben Kingsley in the creepy thriller Shutter Island, directed by Martin Scorsese himself. “The Kids Are Alright” - trailer Also in 2010, Mark acted as a director: he presented to the audience his film “Sympathy for the Delicious,” starring Orlando Bloom and Juliette Lewis. This picture, according to Ruffalo himself, is an expression of his personal life values and belief in the triumph of love. Mark's debut collected good box office receipts, justifying the money spent, and earned excellent reviews from film connoisseurs.
In 2010, Mark acted as director
From 2012 to 2020, Mark Ruffalo’s collection of creative successes was replenished with his brilliant work in several parts of the “Avengers” series as the giant Hulk, in the films “Now You See Me,” “Foxcatcher,” “The Normal Heart” and “Spotlight,” for the role in which he received several prestigious awards.
Mark Ruffalo played the Hulk brilliantly
While filming Foxcatcher, the actor had to gain 13 kilograms. For this role he was nominated for the highest award of film academics - the Oscar.
Movies
Mark Ruffalo began appearing in films back in 1989 and acted regularly throughout the 90s. But only in the new century he received a worthwhile role in the dramatic film “You Can Count on Me,” which gave him fame.
Subsequently, the actor’s works were released: “The View Is Better” with Gwyneth Paltrow, the romantic story “Between Heaven and Earth” with Reese Witherspoon, the detective story “Zodiac” with Jake Gyllenhaal, the tragicomedy “The Kids Are All Right” with Julianne Moore and the crime comedy “ The Brothers Bloom”, in which Rachel Weisz shone.
The film “The Kids Are All Right” was directed by Lisa Kholodenko. Even at the beginning of his acting biography, the actor watched this woman’s film “High Art”. Then he approached Lisa and said that he would like to collaborate with her. She remembered Ruffalo’s words, and when she started working on the film “The Kids Are All Right,” she invited the artist to play the leading male role. Later she said that the hero was written under Mark Ruffalo.
As a result, the film received 4 Oscar nominations. Mark was among the contenders for victory.
In 2010, Ruffalo directed the film “Sympathy for the Beautiful.” As a result, the film was shown at the Sundance Festival, where it received a special jury prize.
In 2013, Ruffalo appeared in two films: Now You See Me
and “At least once in my life.” Both films brought together a magnificent star cast. Thus, Mark’s partners on the set in “At least Once in a Lifetime” were Keira Knightley and Adam Levine, and in “Now You See Me” - Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Jesse Eisenberg.
The audience warmly received the films. And “Illusion” received a sequel, released in 2020.
A new round of popularity occurred in Ruffalo’s career when he starred in a duet with Leonardo DiCaprio in the psychological thriller “Shutter Island.” This film was a success around the world. Another of Mark’s characters is popular among teenagers: Bruce Banner, who turns into the Hulk. The actor played this hero in the film adaptation of the comics “The Avengers” and the sequels: “Avengers: Age of Ultron”
and
Thor 3: Ragnarok
.
And among fans of dramatic stories, the sports film “Foxcatcher” and the biographical film “Spotlight” aroused interest. Both films earned Ruffalo Oscar nominations.
The drama “The Normal Heart” occupies a special place in Mark Ruffalo’s selected filmography. The film featured leading Hollywood stars. The plot of the film tells the story of several New Yorkers who are trying to attract the attention of authorities and society to the developing AIDS epidemic.
In addition, the tape raised a pressing issue directly related to sexual minorities. It is noteworthy that the film features a number of artists who openly admitted their gay orientation.
Mark Ruffalo played a gay man. He later admitted that this role was not easy for him.
The film received positive reviews, and the key cast was nominated for an Emmy Award.
Personal life of Mark Ruffalo
In 2000, the actor married Sunrise Coyney. Mark's wife is not only an actress, but also a successful entrepreneur: she owns a chain of jewelry stores in Europe and America. Their marriage is considered one of the strongest in Hollywood, and the couple has three children.
Mark Ruffalo and Sunrise Coyney
Mark Ruffalo is known for his active civic position; he protested against the election of Donald Trump as president. Like Robert De Niro, Cher and James Franco, he participated in numerous protests and rallies.
Actor Mark Ruffalo
- Actors
24/11/2014
Anna Savchenko
203
American actor Mark Ruffalo became widely known thanks to the films “The Avengers”, “Zodiac”, “Shutter Island”, however, his creative activity is not limited only to these films.
The biography of Mark Ruffalo began in the town of Kenosha, in 1967, on November 22. Mark's family, which had four children, was poor - his father worked as a simple painter, and his mother worked as a hairdresser. As Mark later admitted: “The constant lack of money and a simple life taught me that you need to appreciate loved ones who fill life with meaning.”
After school, Ruffalo entered the prestigious Stella Adler School, after which he worked in the theater for ten years. Since theatrical work did not bring in normal money, Mark worked as a bartender in nightclubs.
Mark Ruffalo managed to appear on television for the first time only in the mid-nineties, in supporting roles in a number of television projects.
Although these works did not allow Mark to become popular, they helped him make important connections. In particular, the actor met screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan, who helped him get valuable roles. For example, Mark Ruffalo starred in the drama “You Can Count on Me,” which was nominated for an Oscar and won our hero the Los Angeles Film Critics Award.
Mark Ruffalo photo #2
From this moment on, films with Mark Ruffalo are released much more often and invariably arouse public interest. A number of films are coming out soon, in which Mark Ruffalo plays supporting roles: “Windtalkers”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”.
In 2002, the actor felt unwell, which soon began to interfere with his work: an examination showed that a tumor was rapidly developing in Mark’s brain. The operation was successful and, although the facial nerve paralysis persisted for some time, the actor was able to fully recover.
Mark later admitted about his illness: “The proximity of death greatly changed my approach to work. I didn't enjoy my acting before, I didn't feel like I had any influence over my career. Moreover, it seemed to me that I deserved much more, I felt bitterness, not realizing that I should be grateful for everything I have. The illness helped me understand that I love my job, and that I might not get a second chance.”
The first film that brought great fame to the actor was Zodiac, in which Mark Ruffalo joined Robert Downey Jr. and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Since the actor looks great in comedic roles, in the late 2000s a number of comedy films with Mark Ruffalo were released, in particular, “The Kids Are All Right,” “The Brothers Bloom.”
Mark Ruffalo photo #3
2008 brings tragedy to the actor’s life - his older brother dies as a result of a gang attack. To get away from his worries, Mark plunges headlong into work: this year the thriller “Blindness” is being released, in which the actor played one of the main roles.
The film that radically influenced the actor’s career was the blockbuster “The Avengers” (2012), in which Mark was assigned the role of the green giant Hulk.
In the same year, a very serious film with the participation of Mark Ruffalo, Now You See Me, was released, which received many positive reviews and a strong response from the audience.
One of the actor’s latest striking works is the melodrama “At least once in my life,” where viewers can admire the charming duet Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley. Excellent cinematography, acting and good musical accompaniment ensured the film high ratings.
In the same year, 2014, the drama “The Normal Heart” was released, which attracted the attention of viewers and critics with its original script and brilliant cast: in addition to Mark, the film stars Julia Roberts, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, Alfred Molina. The film tells the story of the lives of New Yorkers who are trying to attract public attention to the problem of AIDS. As the actor himself, who played an activist for gay rights, admits: “It was very difficult for me to play a gay man, because I was an excellent student at a Catholic school.” However, his acting talent helped Mark cope with the task and his kiss with actor Matt Bomer turned out to be quite convincing.
Mark Ruffalo photo #4
The release of Avengers: Age of Ultron is announced for 2020, where Ruffalo will also appear - again in the role of the Hulk. The actor says the following about his participation in “The Avengers”: “In this film, my role has become larger, more complex and multi-layered. This time, not only the role itself, but also the entire filming process became clearer to me. Now I fully see all the possibilities that new technologies open up for actors.”
When the conversation turns to the Hulk, Mark opens up: “I asked the director - listen, why me? To which he replied: I want you to bring a little irony and humor. He also said that he sees my hero as a very ordinary person, a typical everyman. But I don’t really know why he chose me.”
As for Mark Ruffalo’s personal life, his name was associated with many actresses, at one time he even had an affair with Gwyneth Paltrow. However, his chosen one was actress Sunrise Coyney. Mark Ruffalo and Sunrise Coney became husband and wife in 2000 and have a son and two daughters.
Mark is an avid vegetarian. His civic position is widely known in Hollywood: Mark opposed military action in Iraq and was an activist in the campaign to open materials on cases of torture of prisoners of war.
Original and charismatic, Mark Ruffalo, having gone through difficult trials, was able to reach the top of the modern film Olympus. It remains to wish him new success and unusual roles.
Video trailer for the film “At least once in my life” with Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley
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Mark Ruffalo now
In the spring of 2020, a new part of The Avengers was released, in which Mark has been playing scientist Bruce Banner and his alter ego Hulk since 2012. Fans of the actor are expecting his appearance in the political drama “The True American” directed by Pablo Larraín, based on the events that occurred in 2001. Mark will play the role of Texan Mark Storman, who decides to find and bring to justice the perpetrators of the terrorist attack. Initially, Tom Hardy was supposed to play the role of the “Arab killer,” but the director changed his mind and invited Mark Ruffalo. Also taking part in the filming is Kumail Nanjiani. The exact premiere date has not been announced.
