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Goran Višnjić

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Goran Višnjić (Croatian: [ɡǒran ʋîʃɲitɕ] VISH-nyich; born 9 September 1972) is a Croatian-American actor who has appeared in American and British films and television productions. He is best known for his roles as Dr. Luka Kovač in ER and Garcia Flynn in Timeless, both NBC television series. For ER, he and the cast were nominated for two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Goran Višnjić
Višnjić at Rome Film Festival in 2014
Born (1972-09-09) 9 September 1972 (age 52)
Šibenik, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Citizenship
  • Croatia
  • United States (since 2013)[1]
EducationAcademy of Dramatic Art
Alma materUniversity of Zagreb
OccupationActor
Years active1988–present
Spouse
Eva Višnjić
​
(m. 1999)​
Children4
RelativesAntun Vrdoljak (father-in-law)

Early life

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Višnjić was born on 9 September 1972 in Šibenik, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia. He has one sibling, an elder brother, Joško. His father, Željko, was a bus driver, and his mother, Milka, worked in a market.[2] He appeared in plays throughout his childhood and made his screen debut at the age of 16 in the controversial Yugoslav film, Braća po materi (1988), playing a young Ustaša.[3]

In 1990, at the age of 18, Višnjić served one-year of obligatory military service in the Yugoslav People's Army as a paratrooper. Only weeks after his military discharge in 1991, as Yugoslavia began to dissolve, he joined the nascent Croatian Ground Army. After leaving the army, he moved to Zagreb to study at the Academy of Dramatic Art.[4][5]

Career

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Višnjić was the youngest actor to be chosen for the title role in Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. 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.[6] He portrayed the doomed prince from 1994 to 2000, winning three national awards.[7] During an episode of ER, he demonstrated his expertise in the part of Hamlet, by reciting an excerpt from the "To be, or not to be" soliloquy in Croatian.[8]

Prior to ER, he found work in local television productions and landed a Tuborg beer commercial that aired in Europe.[9] Višnjić also had small speaking roles in films such as The Peacemaker, Practical Magic and Committed. In 1998, he appeared in Madonna's music video "The Power of Good-Bye," and had a cameo in the film Rounders. It was his role as Risto, the Bosnian driver in Welcome to Sarajevo that led then-producer John Wells to offer him a role as a doctor to replace the departing George Clooney in the sixth season of ER in late 1999,[8] eventually becoming the show's male lead by the start of season 12, having taken over from the departing star Noah Wyle, who left after the finale of season 11. By season 14, however, he was only making a limited number of appearances, before completely leaving the show early in season 15.

While starring on ER, Višnjić worked on other projects. He co-starred in The Deep End; starred in and co-produced Posljednja volja; voiced Soto in Ice Age and starred in Close Your Eyes, alongside Shirley Henderson and Miranda Otto. In 2004, he starred in the television miniseries Spartacus and the film Duga mračna noć. He next appeared with Jennifer Garner in Elektra. In 2005, Višnjić was one of the four finalists for the role of James Bond, eventually losing out to British actor Daniel Craig, with whom he would appear in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.[10]

In 2009, Višnjić appeared alongside Carla Gugino in a segment of the film New York, I Love You, an anthology set in New York. Višnjić's segment Apocrypha was directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev.[11] The segment was cut from the theatrical release of the film but was included in the DVD version.[12] He next starred in Helen, alongside Ashley Judd as Judd's character's husband David, which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.[13]

Višnjić appeared in The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, about a young Polish woman who saved the lives of many Jewish children in wartime Warsaw, filmed in Riga, Latvia. It was produced for Hallmark Hall of Fame and aired on CBS on 19 April 2009.[14] He completed a role in Mike Mills' independent film, Beginners.[15] In late 2009, he was cast as Samson in The Deep, shown on BBC One in 2010.[16]

He appeared as Andrija Hebrang in the television miniseries Tito. He later appeared in the unsold pilot of ABC's Boston's Finest, playing a disgraced cop who works with a female officer to solve crimes while trying to clear his name.[17] He also appeared in the two-episode season three finale of the television series Leverage, as international crime financier Damien Moreau, his first guest appearance on an English-language television program.

In 2011, he played Dragan Armansky, the head of a security agency, in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and he has signed on to play this role for the entire film trilogy produced and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment.[18] He was featured on a four-episode arc of the television series Pan Am; he played a Yugoslavian attaché to the United Nations.

In 2014, Višnjić played John Woods, the husband of Molly Woods, in Extant, produced by Steven Spielberg. Although the series was renewed in late 2014, he left the series early in the second season.[19][20]

From 2016 to 2018, he played former NSA asset Garcia Flynn in NBC's Timeless.[21]

In 2019, Višnjić portrayed Ante Gotovina in the Antun Vrdoljak-directed film General. His performance, along with the film itself gained overwhelmingly negative reviews[22][23][24] with many critics, including Milivoj Jukić and Jurica Pavičić calling his portrayal "the worst performance of his career."[25][26] The critically and commercially panned film was screened at the Pula Film Festival.[27]

Višnjić played Nikola Tesla in the twelfth series of Doctor Who, appearing in the fourth episode, "Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror," first broadcast on 19 January 2020.

In early 2020, Višnjić was cast as Count Dracula in the unsold ABC pilot The Brides, which was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.[28]

In 2024, Višnjić returned to the stage starring opposite Zrinka Cvitešić and Goran Grgić in Ivo Vojnović's Ekvinocijo, directed by Krešimir Dolenčić at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.[29] He also appeared in the final season of Vikings: Valhalla as Erik the Red.

Recognition

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Višnjić was named People's Sexiest Import in 1999 and "One of TV's Sexiest Men" in the June 5–11, 2005 TV Guide. He was ranked #18 in 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 for his role in the movie Duga mračna noć, according to the votes of Večernji list.[30]

Personal life

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His wife, Eva (born Ivana Vrdoljak) is an artist and sculptor, and the daughter of film director Antun Vrdoljak, who controversially headed Croatian Radiotelevision from 1991 to 1995. The couple have two adopted children and one biological child. They resided in Los Angeles, California until 2021, and have three homes in Croatia – Zagreb, Šibenik, and Dubrovnik.[31][32] Višnjić acknowledged paternity of a daughter, Lana Lourdes Rupić, whom he fathered in 2006 with a Croatian woman, Mirela Rupić.[33] In 2021, Višnjić and his family moved from Los Angeles to Cornwall, England.[34]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 Braća po materi Ustaša
1993 Paranoja — Short film
1996 Prepoznavanje Ivan
1997 Puška za uspavljivanje Devetka
The Peacemaker Bazta Sergeant
Welcome to Sarajevo Risto Bavić
1998 Rounders Maurice
Practical Magic Jimmy Angelov
2000 Committed Neil
2001 The Deep End Alek Spera
Posljednja volja Bepo Stambuk Also co-producer
2002 Ice Age Soto (voice)
Close Your Eyes Michael Strother Also known as Doctor Sleep
2004 Duga mračna noć Ivan Kolar Also producer
2005 Elektra Mark Miller
2009 Apocrypha Man Short film
Helen David Leonard
2010 Beginners Andy
2011 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Dragan Armansky
2012 K-11 Raymond Saxx Jr.
2013 The Counselor Michael
95 Decibels Dr. Corry Short film
2014 Dark Hearts Armand
Asthma Ragen
The Journey Home Muktuk
2017 Never Here S
The Tribes of Palos Verdes Joe
2019 General Ante Gotovina Also producer
2020 Fatima Artur de Oliveira Santos
2021 The Accursed Nikola
2022 Hellraiser Roland Voight
2024 Transformers One Orion Pax / Optimus Prime (voice) Croatian dub

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1994 Michele va alla guerra Soldier Television film
1995 Night Watch UN Security Officer Television film
Vidimo se Maks Television film
1997 Olujne tisine 1895-1995 Vladimir Vidrić Television miniseries
1998 Teško je reći zbogom Davor Television film
1999–2008 ER Dr. Luka Kovač 185 episodes
2003 American Masters Robert Capa (voice) Episode: "Robert Capa: In Love and War"
2004 Spartacus Spartacus Television miniseries
2006 Naša mala klinika Man on the telephone Episode: "Bijeli misevi"
2009 The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Stefan Zgrzembski Television film
2010 Tito Andrija Hebrang Television miniseries
Boston's Finest Angus Martin Television pilot
The Deep Samson Ungliss Television miniseries
Leverage Damien Moreau 2 episodes
2011–2012 Pan Am Niko Lonza 4 episodes
2013 Red Widow Nicholae Schiller 8 episodes
2014 Extant John Woods 16 episodes
2015 Crossing Lines Marco Constante 12 episodes
2016–2018 Timeless Garcia Flynn 27 episodes
2019–2022 This Is Us Vincent Kelly 2 episodes
2019 Santa Clarita Diet Dobrivoje Poplovic 4 episodes
Dollface Dr. Colin Brooks 4 episodes
2020 Doctor Who Nikola Tesla Episode: "Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror"
The Brides Count Dracula Television pilot
The Boys Alastair Adana 4 episodes
2024 Vikings: Valhalla Erik the Red 4 episodes

Music videos

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Year Artist Title Notes
1998 Tony Cetinski "Život"
Madonna "The Power of Good-Bye"
2007 Unkle "Burn My Shadow"

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 BlackBoxTV Presents The Chemist Episode: "AEZP: Execution Style"

Theatre

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Year Title Role Venue
1994–2000 Hamlet Hamlet Dubrovnik Summer Festival
2024 Ekvinocijo Niko Marinović Dubrovnik Summer Festival

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series ER Nominated [35]
2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominated [36]
2002 Satellite Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama The Deep End Nominated [37]
2004 Paris Film Festival Best Actor Close Your Eyes Won [38]
Pula Film Festival Best Actor Duga mračna noć Won [39]
2005 Vladimir Nazor Awards Film Won [40]
2011 Gotham Awards Best Ensemble Performance Beginners Won [41]
2024 Croatian Theatre Awards Best Artistic Achievement by an Actor in a Leading Role – Drama Ekvinocijo Won [42]

References

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  1. ^ "Croatia's Most Famous Hollywood Export Gets U.S Citizenship". Croatia Week. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  2. ^ D'Souza, Christa (29 September 2001). "Doctor of love". The Daily Telegraph.
  3. ^ @goran_visnjic (12 September 2017). "Talking about time travel... 1987, barely 16, my very first movie...only one scene, with great @zarkolausevic in Braca po materi... 😬😎 #zarkolausevic #bracapomateri #slavkostimac #žarkolaušević #firstjob #firstmovie #longtimeago #timeless #timetravel" – via Instagram.
  4. ^ Knutzen, Eirik (17 December 2000). "A Prescription For Success Goran Visnjic Stepped Off The Croatian Stage And Quickly Into The "Er" On Nbc". Philly. The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015.
  5. ^ Allen, Ted (1 March 2002). "Who Is Goran Visnjic and What Does He Want?". Esquire. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. ^ Riley, Jenelle (25 March 2013). "Accent on Talent". Backstage.
  7. ^ Fernandez, Jenifer R. (October 2001). "ER's GORAN VISNJIC on the road to movie stardom". Orange Coast Magazine. Emmis Communications. ISSN 0279-0483.
  8. ^ a b "Goranovu ulogu iz Hitne službe nisu zaboravili do danas, on si je dodijelio simpatičnu 'nagradu'". Gloria (in Croatian). 24 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Tuborg Beer Ad". YouTube. 4 September 2024.
  10. ^ Simpson, George (10 August 2021). "James Bond auditions: Why was Daniel Craig chosen over Henry Cavill for Casino Royale?". Daily Express.
  11. ^ "'New York' newbies". The Hollywood Reporter. 28 April 2008.
  12. ^ Nissim, Mayer (3 May 2009). "Johansson's directorial debut rejected". Digital Spy.
  13. ^ "Sundance Festival 2009". Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  14. ^ "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler". Variety. 16 April 2009.
  15. ^ McNary, Dave (8 November 2009). "Visnjic added to 'Beginners' cast". Variety.
  16. ^ "James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Goran Visnjic star in new BBC One drama serial, The Deep". BBC. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Goran Visnjic among latest pilot castings". The Hollywood Reporter. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  18. ^ Gerstein, Julie (9 February 2011). "Goran Visnjic Signs On to Dragon Tattoo". Vulture.
  19. ^ "'ER' Star Cast as Halle Berry's Husband in CBS' 'Extant'". The Hollywood reporter. 29 January 2014.
  20. ^ "'Extant' Season 2 Spoilers: Goran Visnjic Leaves Series, But Will Make an Appearance at Start of Upcoming Season". Latin Post. 2 June 2015.
  21. ^ "Goran Visnjic To Co-Star In NBC's 'Time' Travel Pilot From Eric Kripke & Shawn Ryan". Deadline Hollywood. 8 March 2016.
  22. ^ Pavlić, Zrinka (12 August 2019). "'General' - kupus od filma u koji je Vrdoljak nadrobio rat, sapunice, domoljublje i malo seksa bez ikakvog reda i smisla". Tportal (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  23. ^ Pavičić, Jurica (14 July 2019). "'GENERAL JE SUH, SIV I DOSADAN' Filmski kritičar Jutarnjeg Jurica Pavičić pogledao je najiščekivaniji hrvatski film stoljeća - film o Anti Gotovini". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  24. ^ Rudelić, Rafaela (17 July 2019). "FILM GENERAL: FILM ANTUNA VRDOLJAKA ISPUNIO JE OČEKIVANJA KOJA JE I POSTAVIO". Ziher (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Vrdoljakov film General ne prestaje podizati prašinu, A OGLASIO SE I SAM ANTE GOTOVINA". Glas Istre (in Croatian). 17 January 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  26. ^ "GAFOVIMA NEMA KRAJA Serija 'General' opet niže kritike: Koji treš, ovo je bolje od 'Krv nije voda'". direktno (in Croatian). 26 December 2019. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  27. ^ "DRUŠTVENE MREŽE SA ZANIMANJEM ISPRATILE I FINIŠ 'GENERALA' Komentatori ponovno imali brojne kritike, ali nećete vjerovati - pali su i neki komplimenti". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). 27 January 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (9 March 2020). "Goran Višnjić To Play Dracula In 'The Brides' ABC Supernatural Drama Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  29. ^ Thomas, Mark (19 March 2024). "Goran Višnjić Headlines Premieres at 75th Dubrovnik Summer Festival". The Dubrovnik Times.
  30. ^ Basara, Emina (18 February 2005). "Trinaest veličanstvenih!" [Magnificent thirteen]. Večernji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  31. ^ Tolić, Dolores (14 August 2019). "Goran Višnjić odlazi iz Amerike i s obitelji okreće novu stranicu u životu". Gloria (in Croatian).
  32. ^ Peričić, Ante (27 July 2024). "Višnjić: 'Pamtim tu ploču na Akademiji na kojoj piše da nisam primljen. Kakav mi je to poraz bio. Ali, iz današnje perspektive, znam da su me spasili'". Telegram (in Croatian).
  33. ^ "'ER' Star Admits Paternity of Croatian Baby Girl". BuddyTV. 28 November 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  34. ^ "Goran Višnjić otkrio zašto ne živi u Hrvatskoj: 'Ne želim da djeca imaju tu prtljagu'". Večernji list (in Croatian). 17 October 2022.
  35. ^ "The 6th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  36. ^ "The 7th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  37. ^ "2002 6th Annual SATELLITE Awards Nominees and Winners". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Festival du Film de Paris : le palmarès". AlloCiné (in French). 7 April 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  39. ^ "Duga mračna noć". Pula Film Festival (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Dobitnici Nagrade "Vladimir Nazor" od 1959. do 2005". Ministry of Culture and Media (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  41. ^ "2011 Winners and nominees". Gotham Independent Film Awards. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  42. ^ "DOBITNICI NAGRADA HRVATSKOG GLUMIŠTA 2024. g." hrvatsko društvo dramskih umjetnika (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 December 2024.
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