Goran Visnjic Biography
Summary
"Goran Vi?nji?" (pronounced // ('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 Kova? 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 '90's, believing it would be more accessible to American audiences.
Biography
Early life
Vi?nji? was born in the city of ?ibenik, in Dalmatia, on the Croatian coast. He has one older brother, Jo?ko. His father, ?eljko Vi?nji?, 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 "Bra?a po materi" (1988), playing a young Croatian extremist.
As Yugoslavia began to dissolve, Vi?nji? was serving a year-long tour of duty with the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). He left the JNA and returned to ?ibenik, 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.
Career
Vi?nji? 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. Vi?nji? 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", Vi?nji? 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 Vi?nji?'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". Vi?nji? 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 Vi?nji? planned to leave ER at the end of the season. Although Vi?nji? himself had hinted at it, the timing of his departure proved to be inaccurate. Vi?nji? 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.
Since joining "ER", Vi?nji? 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 mra?na no?". He appeared with Jennifer Garner in the movie "Elektra". During the summer of 2005, Vi?nji? was one of four finalists for the role of James Bond, eventually losing out to British actor Daniel Craig. Recently, Vi?nji? appeared in UNKLE's music video for the song 'Burn My Shadow', released in May 2007. In October, 2007, Vi?nji? began filming the motion picture "Helen" in Vancouver with Ashley Judd, playing Judd's character's husband David, while concurrently filming 'ER' in Los Angeles. 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.
Personal life
Vi?nji? is married to Croatian sculptor Ivana Vrdoljak, the daughter of filmaker Antun Vrdoljak. They reside in Los Angeles. In April 2007, the couple adopted a baby boy, named Tin after Croatian poet Tin Ujevi?. Vi?nji? has also acknowledged paternity of a daughter, Lana, from a brief liason. Although his personal life remains largely private, Vi?nji? and his wife opened their newly remodeled home to photographers from 'InStyle' magazine in the spring of 2007.
Vi?nji? 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.
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 mra?na no?", according to the votes of Croatian newspaper "Ve?ernji list"
Filmography
"Helen" (2008)
"Unkle - 'Burn My Shadow" music video (2007)
"Na?a mala klinika" episode Bijeli misevi (2006)
"Duga mra?na no?" (2005) TV Series
"Elektra" (2005)
"Spartacus" (2004)
"Duga mra?na no?" (2004)
"Doctor Sleep" (2002)
"Ice Age (film)" (voice) (2002)
"Posljednja volja" (2001)
"The Deep End" (2001)
"Committed" (2000)
"ER" (1999–2007)
"Madonna - 'The Power of Goodbye'" music video (1998)
"Practical Magic" (1998)
"Rounders" (1998)
"Te?ko je re?i zbogom" (1998)
"The Peacemaker" (1997)
"Welcome to Sarajevo" (1997)
"Olujne ti?ine 1895-1995" (1997)
"Pu?ka za uspavljivanje" (1997)
"Prepoznavanje" (1996)
"Night Watch" (1995)
"Vidimo se" (1995)
"Michele va alla guerra" (1994)
"Paranoja" (1993)
"Bra?a po materi" (1988)
External links
(Goran Vi?nji? at UNKLE 'Burn My Shadow' music video)
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Goran Visnjic.
