Goran Višnjić

Name	Goran Višnjić
Image
Caption	Višnjić at Rome Film Festival in 2014
Birth Date	1972-9-9
Birth Place	Šibenik, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Citizenship	Croatia ⋅ United States (since 2013)
Education	Academy of Dramatic Art
Alma Mater	University of Zagreb
Occupation	Actor
Years Active	1988–present
Spouse	Ivana "Eva" Vrdoljak (1999 – now)
Relatives	Antun Vrdoljak (father-in-law)
Children	4

Early life

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. 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.

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.

Career

1981–1995: Beginnings

Višnjić began acting at his hometown of Šibenik, where he was performing at local theatre. He later expressed that that's the way he got drawn into it; "I just started there as a kid; there was no money involved, no fame. It was just like a big playground". In 1991, Višnjić subsequently had to fight at Croatian War of Independence. In 1992, after finishing his service at 20, he returned to acting and attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in the capital of Zagreb. 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. 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. He portrayed the doomed prince from 1994 to 2000, winning three national awards.

1995–2005: ''ER'' and move to America

Višnjić starred as Prince Hamlet for seven years, often playing at Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. He had opportunity to be a supporting actor for 1997 blockbuster drama film Welcome to Sarajevo which was filmed in Sarajevo during Bosnian War, starring opposite; Stephen Dillane, Woody Harrelson and Marisa Tomei. He portrayed Bosnian cab driver Risto Bavić. His performance caught the eye of talent agent Elyse Scherz at the Cannes Film Festival, who contacted Višnjić, and offered him employment in USA. He also appeared in 1997 American political action thriller film The Peacemaker, alongside George Clooney and Nicole Kidman. After doing publicity and press for Welcome to Sarajevo in USA, he got introduced to Griffin Dunne, who offered him an audition for his upcoming romantic fantasy film Practical Magic starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Practical Magic was released on October 16, 1998, grossing $68.3 million worldwide against a $75 million budget, becoming Višnjić's big breakthrough.

Subsequently, he found work in local television productions and landed a Tuborg beer commercial that aired in Europe. After flying from Croatia and America back-and-forth, he decided to move to USA and continue his career.

In 1998, Višnjić got offered a role as a doctor Luka Kovač for TV medical series ER. 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, 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. In 1998, he appeared in Madonna's music video "The Power of Good-Bye," from her seventh studio album Ray of Light. She contacted him after seeing his performance in the film Welcome to Sarajevo. Calling him "the sexiest male working today", Madonna explained that "she was looking for an actor to be in the video and his face came right into my head". The video premiered on MTV on September 10, 1998, which further helped Višnjić's career. As of 2025, the music video gained more than 96 million views on Madonna's YouTube channel. He also had a cameo in the film Rounders, and small speaking role in Committed.

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 2002 animated film Ice Age, which was a box office success and grossed over $383.2 million, making it the eighth highest-grossing film of 2002 and the highest-grossing animated film of 2002. He 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 directed by David Fincher.

2005–2015: Continued success

Recognition

Višnjić was named Peoples 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.

Personal life

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. Višnjić acknowledged paternity of a daughter, Lana Lourdes Rupić, whom he fathered in 2006 with a Croatian woman, Mirela Rupić. In 2021, Višnjić and his family moved from Los Angeles to Cornwall, England.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Web series

Theatre

Awards and nominations

References

• D'Souza, Christa, Doctor of love, September 29, 2001, The Daily Telegraph
• goran_visnjic, BY7bpeXjW2L, 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, September 12, 2017
• A Prescription For Success Goran Visnjic Stepped Off The Croatian Stage And Quickly Into The "Er" On Nbc., Knutzen, Eirik, Philly, The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC, December 17, 2000, 27 May 2015
• Allen, Ted, Who Is Goran Visnjic and What Does He Want?, Esquire, March 1, 2002, April 5, 2024
• Riley, Jenelle, Accent on Talent, March 25, 2013, Backstage
• Goranovu ulogu iz Hitne službe nisu zaboravili do danas, on si je dodijelio simpatičnu ‘nagradu‘, Gloria, February 24, 2021, hr
• Fernandez, Jenifer R., October 2001, ER, , s GORAN VISNJIC on the road to movie stardom, Orange Coast Magazine, 0279-0483, Emmis Communications
• Tuborg Beer Ad, YouTube, September 4, 2024
• dead, June 3, 2016, Madonna Talks About Her Video Co-Star, September 18, 1998, November 24, 2016, MTV News
• Madonna - The Power Of Good-Bye (Official Video), YouTube, Madonna, 1 October 2025
• Simpson, George, James Bond auditions: Why was Daniel Craig chosen over Henry Cavill for Casino Royale?, August 10, 2021, Daily Express
• 'New York' newbies, April 28, 2008, The Hollywood Reporter
• Nissim, Mayer, Johansson's directorial debut rejected, May 3, 2009, Digital Spy
• Sundance Festival 2009, Sundance Film Festival, November 6, 2011, dead, March 21, 2009
• The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, April 16, 2009, Variety
• Variety, Visnjic added to 'Beginners' cast, Dave, McNary, November 8, 2009
• James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Goran Visnjic star in new BBC One drama serial, , The Deep, BBC, December 17, 2009, April 5, 2024
• Goran Visnjic among latest pilot castings, The Hollywood Reporter, October 13, 2010, November 6, 2011
• Gerstein, Julie, Goran Visnjic Signs On to Dragon Tattoo, February 9, 2011, Vulture
• The Hollywood reporter, 'ER' Star Cast as Halle Berry's Husband in CBS' 'Extant', January 29, 2014
• Latin Post, 'Extant' Season 2 Spoilers: Goran Visnjic Leaves Series, But Will Make an Appearance at Start of Upcoming Season, June 2, 2015
• Deadline Hollywood, Goran Visnjic To Co-Star In NBC's 'Time' Travel Pilot From Eric Kripke & Shawn Ryan, March 8, 2016
• 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, 18 April 2021, Tportal, hr
• 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, 18 April 2021, Jutarnji list, hr
• Rudelić, Rafaela, FILM GENERAL: FILM ANTUNA VRDOLJAKA ISPUNIO JE OČEKIVANJA KOJA JE I POSTAVIO, July 17, 2019, Ziher, hr, April 5, 2024
• January 17, 2020, Vrdoljakov film General ne prestaje podizati prašinu, A OGLASIO SE I SAM ANTE GOTOVINA, April 5, 2024, Glas Istre, hr
• December 26, 2019, GAFOVIMA NEMA KRAJA Serija 'General' opet niže kritike: Koji treš, ovo je bolje od 'Krv nije voda', April 5, 2024, direktno, hr, 15 March 2023, dead
• DRUŠTVENE MREŽE SA ZANIMANJEM ISPRATILE I FINIŠ 'GENERALA' Komentatori ponovno imali brojne kritike, ali nećete vjerovati - pali su i neki komplimenti, January 27, 2020, April 5, 2024, Jutarnji list, hr
• Goran Višnjić To Play Dracula In 'The Brides' ABC Supernatural Drama Pilot, Andreeva, Nellie, March 9, 2020, Deadline Hollywood, March 11, 2020
• Thomas, Mark, Goran Višnjić Headlines Premieres at 75th Dubrovnik Summer Festival, March 19, 2024, The Dubrovnik Times
• Trinaest veličanstvenih!, Basara, Emina, Večernji list, February 18, 2005, June 3, 2015, hr, Magnificent thirteen
• Tolić, Dolores, Goran Višnjić odlazi iz Amerike i s obitelji okreće novu stranicu u životu, August 14, 2019, Gloria, hr
• Peričić, Ante, 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', July 27, 2024, Telegram, hr
• BuddyTV, 'ER' Star Admits Paternity of Croatian Baby Girl, November 28, 2007, June 10, 2010
• Goran Višnjić otkrio zašto ne živi u Hrvatskoj: 'Ne želim da djeca imaju tu prtljagu', October 17, 2022, Večernji list, hr
• The 6th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, April 5, 2024
• The 7th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, April 5, 2024
• 2002 6th Annual SATELLITE Awards Nominees and Winners, International Press Academy, dead, January 7, 2010, April 5, 2024
• Festival du Film de Paris : le palmarès, AlloCiné, April 7, 2004, April 5, 2024, fr
• Duga mračna noć, Pula Film Festival, April 5, 2024, hr
• Dobitnici Nagrade "Vladimir Nazor" od 1959. do 2005., Ministry of Culture and Media, April 5, 2024, hr
• 2011 Winners and nominees, Gotham Independent Film Awards, dead, March 25, 2016, April 5, 2024
• DOBITNICI NAGRADA HRVATSKOG GLUMIŠTA 2024. g., hrvatsko društvo dramskih umjetnika, December 5, 2024, hr

External links