Goran Visnjic life and biography

Goran Visnjic is a Croatian actor who has appeared in American and British films and television productions. He is best known for his role as Dr. Luka Kovac in the hit television series ER. Now 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 '90s, believing it would be more accessible to American audiences.

Visnjic was born in the Dalmatian coastal city of Šibenik, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia. He has one older brother, Joško. His father, Željko Višnjic, 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 Yugoslav film Braca po materi (1988), playing a young Ustaša.

As Yugoslavia began to dissolve, Višnjic 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.

Visnjic's additional theater credits include "Les Fourberies de Scapin," "L'Ecole des Femmes," "Miss Julie," "Ivanov," "The Brothers Karamazov" and "Le Baruffe Chiozotte."

During his recent summer hiatus, Visnjic completed the independent film "The Deep End" directed by Scott McGhee, in which he starred opposite Tilda Swinton. He appeared with Heather Graham in Miramax 2000 film "Committed," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and will star in the upcoming independent film "Doctor Sleep."

Among Visnjic's other film credits are "Practical Magic," in which he starred alongside Nicole Kidman, and "The Peacemaker" also with Kidman and former "ER" star George Clooney.

Visnjic also starred in three Croatian features, and made his American motion-picture debut in the critically acclaimed drama, "Welcome to Sarajevo," directed by Michael Winterbottom.

In his leisure time, Visnjic enjoys fencing, swimming and diving. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Ivana, and his birthday is September 9.

Filmography:

K-11 (2012)
Dark Hearts (2012)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Beginners (2011)
Leverage (2010)
The Deep (2010) TV Series
Tito (2010)
The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (2009)
Helen (2009)

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