Goran Višnjić

Goran Višnjić (born September 9, 1972) is a Croatian actor who has appeared in many American film and television productions. His most prominent role has been that of Dr. Luka Kovač in the hit television series ER.

Born in the Croatian coastal city of Šibenik, Višnjić appeared in plays throughout his childhood. He made his screen debut 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. After leaving the Croatian Army he moved to Zagreb to study at the Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Prior to ER, Višnjić had small speaking roles in films like The Peacemaker, Welcome to Sarajevo 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.

He joined ER in the sixth season (late 1999) and as of 2006 remains in the cast, now as the show's lead character. He is currently contracted through Season 13, and has not ruled out further extension of the role beyond that time.

In the meantime he 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 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 frequently mentioned as a candidate to play James Bond in the upcoming Casino Royale. He is known to have auditioned for the role, and was at one point regarded as a "finalist" ^*, although the role ultimately went to British actor Daniel Craig.

Recently, he announced that he is going to produce a movie about Croatian war hero and indicted war criminal general Ante Gotovina, in which he would play Gotovina. This film would be directed by Antun Vrdoljak.

Višnjić is married to Ivana Vrdoljak, the daughter of Croatian director Antun Vrdoljak.

Trivia

Height: 6'4"

Hobbies are fencing, swimming, and diving.

The younger of two sons.

Father was a bus driver; mother worked in a food market.

Trained as a paratrooper in the Yugoslav People's Army at age 18, and volunteered to stay on for an additional three months during the Croatian War of Independence.

Veteran of the war between Croatia and Serbia 1991 - 1995

Appeared in Madonna's 1998 music video, The Power of Goodbye.

Named People magazine's Sexiest Import in 1999.

Last name is pronounced // ('VISH-nyich').

Trained at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb.

The youngest actor to be chosen for the coveted title role in Shakespeare's Hamlet, he portrayed the doomed Prince for 6 years from 1993 to 2000, at the internationally acclaimed Dubrovnik Summer Theatre Festival in Croatia, 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 the "To be or not to be" soliloquy in Croatian. In the same episode, demonstrated his skill in one of his hobbies, by Luka fencing with Carter.

Wind surfs and practices kung fu.

Has a large scar on his stomach from gastric ulcer surgery.

Named as the Best Croatian actor in 2004 according to the votes of the visitors of internet magazines.

Named as the Best Croatian actor in 2004 for role in the movie Duga mračna noć, according to the votes of the famous Croatian newspaper Večernji list.

Named "One of TV's Sexiest Men" in June 5-11 2005 TV Guide.

Is a huge fan of the show Stargate SG-1.

Ranked #18 in Croatian-based monthly film magazine Hollywood in Best Croatian Male Movie Stars of All Time list in November 2005.

Starred alongside his dog Bugsy in an anti-fur campaign for PETA.

External links

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Goran Višnjić

Trivia

External links