Goran Višnjić

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Goran Visnjic
Birth name Goran Višnjić
Born September 9 1972 (1972-09-09) (age 37)
Image:Flag of Croatia.svg Šibenik, Croatia
Spouse(s) Ivana Višnjić (8 May 1999 - present) 1 child

Goran Višnjić (pronounced /'ʋiʃ.ɲiʨ/ ('VISH-nyich'); born September 9, 1972) is a Croatian actor who has appeared in American films and television productions. He is best known for his role as Dr. Luka Kovač in the hit television series ER. Generally credited as Goran Visnjic in his English-language work, he adopted the simplified spelling of his name when he came to the United States in the late '90s, believing it would be more accessible to American audiences.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Višnjić was born in the city of Šibenik, in Dalmatia, on the Croatian coast. He has one older brother, Joško. His father, Željko Višnjić, was a bus driver, and his mother, Milka, worked in a food market. He appeared in plays throughout his childhood and made his screen debut at age 16 in the controversial Yugoslavian film Braća po materi (1988), playing a young Croatian extremist.

As Yugoslavia began to dissolve, Višnjić was serving a year-long tour of duty with the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). He left the JNA and returned to Šibenik, where he joined the nascent Croatian Army in defending his hometown against JNA-supported Krajina Serbs. His war record, albeit short, is subject of many apocryphal stories.

After leaving the Croatian Army he moved to Zagreb to study at the Academy of Dramatic Arts.

[edit] Career

Višnjić was the youngest actor to be chosen for the coveted title role in Shakespeare's Hamlet at the internationally acclaimed Dubrovnik Summer Theatre Festival in Croatia. Originally cast as Laertes, and understudy to Hamlet, he took over the role when the star dropped out of the production shortly before the first performance. Višnjić portrayed the doomed prince for seven years from 1994 to 2000, winning several coveted Orlando Awards (the equivalent of the Tony Award). During an episode of ER, Luka demonstrated his expertise in the part of Hamlet, by reciting an excerpt from the "To be or not to be" soliloquy in Croatian. In the same episode, he demonstrated his skill in another Shakespeare-related hobby by fencing with Noah Wyle's character, Dr. John Carter.

Prior to ER, Višnjić had small speaking roles in films such as The Peacemaker, Committed and Practical Magic. In 1998 he also appeared in Madonna's music video "The Power of Goodbye", and had a cameo in the movie Rounders. But it was Višnjić's break-out role as Risto, the Bosnian driver in Welcome to Sarajevo that lead then-producer Jack Orman to offer him the role of the then unnamed doctor who would replace the departing George Clooney on ER. Višnjić joined ER in the sixth season (late 1999) and assumed the lead at the beginning of Season 12. In March 2007, it was announced by the entertainment media that Višnjić planned to leave ER at the end of the season.[1] Although Višnjić himself had hinted at it, the timing of his departure proved to be inaccurate. Višnjić returned to ER for its 14th season after missing four episodes, and will appear in at least seven episodes before leaving the series in the spring of 2008.[2]

Since joining ER, Višnjić has co-starred in the movie The Deep End, voice-acted in Ice Age, and starred in Posljednja volja and Doctor Sleep. More recently, he starred in the television mini-series Spartacus and the Croatian movie and television series Duga mračna noć. He appeared with Jennifer Garner in the movie Elektra. During the summer of 2005, Višnjić was one of four finalists for the role of James Bond, eventually losing out to British actor Daniel Craig. Recently, Višnjić appeared in UNKLE's music video for the song "Burn My Shadow", released in May 2007. In October, 2007, Višnjić recently completed filming the motion picture Helen in Vancouver with Ashley Judd, playing Judd's character's husband David. In addition, rumors continue to swirl that Visnjic will play the French-Algerian lover of Casino Royale heroine Vesper Lynd in the upcoming as yet untitled Bond 22 film, set to begin principal photography in early 2008.[citation needed]

[edit] Personal life

Višnjić is married to Croatian sculptor Ivana Vrdoljak, the daughter of filmmaker Antun Vrdoljak. They reside in Los Angeles. In April 2007, the couple adopted a baby boy, named Tin after Croatian poet Tin Ujević. Višnjić has also acknowledged paternity of a daughter, Lana, from a brief liaison. Although his personal life remains largely private, Višnjić and his wife opened their newly remodeled home to photographers from "InStyle" magazine in the spring of 2007.

Višnjić has been active in animal rights, and appeared alongside his dog Bugsy in PETA's first Eastern European anti-fur campaign. He is currently a representative for both the International Fund for Animal Welfare and a Croatian animal-rights group.

[edit] Awards

He was named People magazine's Sexiest Import in 1999 and "One of TV's Sexiest Men" in the June 5 – June 11, 2005 TV Guide. He was ranked #18 in Croatian-based monthly film magazine Hollywood in Best Croatian Male Movie Stars of All Time list in November 2005. He was also named as the Best Croatian actor in 2004 according to the votes of the visitors of internet magazines, for his role in the movie Duga mračna noć, according to the votes of Croatian newspaper Večernji list

[edit] Filmography

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.hollywood.com/news/Visnjic_Quits_ER/3665311
  2. ^ http://www.nbcumv.com/entertainment/program_detail.nbc/er.html
  3. ^ http://unkle-war-stories.blogspot.com/

[edit] External links

da:Goran Višnjić de:Goran Višnjić fr:Goran Višnjić hr:Goran Višnjić it:Goran Višnjić nl:Goran Višnjić ja:ゴラン・ヴィシュニック no:Goran Višnjić pl:Goran Višnjić pt:Goran Višnjić ru:Вишнич, Горан sr:Горан Вишњић fi:Goran Višnjić sv:Goran Višnjić

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