| Goran Visnjic |
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Goran Višnjić (pronounced // ('VISH-nyich')) (born September 9 , 1972 ) is a Croatian actor who has appeared in American film and television productions. His most prominent role may be that of Dr. Luka Kovač in the hit television series '' ER ''. BIOGRAPHY Early life Višnjić was born in the city of Šibenik (in Yugoslavia, now along the coast of Croatia); he has an 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 in the controversial Yugoslavia n film '' Braća Po Materi '' ( 1988 ), playing a young Croatian extremist. He was trained at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb . 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 . 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. He portrayed the doomed prince for six years from 1993 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 like '' 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. As of 2006, he remains in the cast, and is currently contracted through Season 13. In March 2007, it was announced by the entertainment media that Višnjić will quit ER at the end of the season.http://www.hollywood.com/news/Visnjic_Quits_ER/3665311 Although Višnjić has indicated it is time for him to pursue new opportunities, the timing of his departure widely circulated by the media and internet message boards proved to be inaccurate. Višnjić will return to ER for its 14th season on a limited basis, before departing the main cast permanently at an indeterminate point in the season.http://www.nbcumv.com/entertainment/program_detail.nbc/er.html 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 ''. Višnjić appeared in UNKLE's music video for the song "Burn My Shadow", released in May 2007. Personal life Višnjić is married to Ivana Vrdoljak (the daughter of Antun Vrdoljak ). They reside in Los Angeles . It was revealed in April 2007 that the couple had adopted a newborn baby boy, whom they have named Tin after Croatian poet Tin Ujević . Višnjić has been active in animal rights, and appeared alongside his dog Bugsy in an anti-fur campaign for PETA . In June 2007, rumours about an extramarital affair and an illegitimate child in his native Šibenik began to circulate in Croatian media. After initial denials, a woman later identified as Mirela Rupić, announced that she would sue Višnjić over paternity of her 4-month old baby. On July 10th, Višnjić admitted to a one-night liaison to one Croatian magazine, and said he would take a DNA test to see if the child is his. 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 ''. FILMOGRAPHY
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