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Mark Ruffalo Biography

Birth Name:
Mark Alan Ruffalo
Birth Place:
Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Profession
Actor, producer, writer

Fast Facts

  • His mother and siblings (two sisters and a brother) have all worked as hairstylists
  • Was a state-champion wrestler in high school, where he was named Most Fun to Be Around
  • Attended the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting in Los Angeles, where he worked as a bartender to support his training
  • Had a benign brain tumor removed in 2001; took him almost a year to recover after the surgery
  • Slated to play Mel Gibson's brother in Signs (2002), but the part went to Joaquin Phoenix after his tumor was diagnosed
  • His directorial debut, Sympathy for Delicious (2010), was inspired by his real-life paraplegic friend Christopher Thornton, who wrote and co-starred in the film
  • Is an anti-fracking activist, and founded the non-profit Water Defense as a result of his campaigning

Awards

  • 2020Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie: winner
  • 2016BAFTA Film Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2016Independent Spirit Awards-Robert Altman Award: winner
  • 2015Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2015Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2015Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2015Producers Guild Awards-David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: nominated
  • 2015Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015Independent Spirit Awards-Special Distinction Award: winner
  • 2014Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2014Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2014Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 2014Emmy-Outstanding Television Movie: winner
  • 2014Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2014Critics' Choice Television Awards-Best Actor in a Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
  • 2011Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2011Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 2011BAFTA Film Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2010New York Film Critics Circle-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2010Sundance Film Festival-Special Jury Prize: Dramatic: winner
  • 2010Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2010Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2010Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2000Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Actor - Runner-up: winner
  • 2000Montréal World Film Festival-Best Actor: winner
  • 2000Los Angeles Film Critics Association-New Generation Award: winner

Relationships

  • Scott Ruffalo -- Brother
  • Bella Ruffalo -- Daughter
  • Odette Ruffalo -- Daughter
  • Frank Ruffalo -- Father
  • Marie Ruffalo -- Mother
  • Keen Ruffalo -- Son
  • Sunrise Coigney -- Wife