Goran Visnjic is a Croatian American actor and producer, born in Sibenik, Croatia. He is married to Eva Visnjic . In 1998, he appeared in Madonna's music video for the song "The Power of Goodbye", which opened him the doors of Hollywood.
The younger of two sons.
Father was a bus driver; mother worked in a food market.
Has a large scar on his stomach from gastric ulcer surgery.
Named People magazines Sexiest Import
Last name is pronounced VISH-nyich
Trained at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb.
The youngest actor to be chosen for the coveted title role in Shakespeares Hamlet, he portrayed the doomed Prince for 6 years from 1993 to 2000, at the internationally acclaimed Dubrovnik Summer Theatre Festival in Croatia, 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 the, "To be or not to be," soliloquy in Croatian. In the same episode, demonstrated his skill in one of his hobbies, by "Luka" fencing with "Carter."
Hobbies are fencing, swimming, and diving.
Is married to a Croatian sculptor named Ivana, daughter of film director Antun Vrdoljak.
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world
When word came through that he had been accepted in the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb, his brother volunteered to take his place in the Army so he could study his craft.
At age 18, he trained during peacetime for basic crowd control and as a paratrooper in the Yugoslavian Peoples Army (YNA). He ended up fighting in Slovenia, which proclaimed independence, when the YNA was ordered to attack this now former republic within the federation Yugoslavia. When Gorans tour of duty was done (by the time of his return, Croatia had declared its independence), the Serbian faction of the YNA was already fighting the Croatian faction in a civil war. He volunteered to join the new Croatian Army, breaking his promise to himself never to pick up a gun again.
Appeared in an anti-fur billboard campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals with his dog, Bugsy, beginning in January 2003. The ads read: "If you wouldnt wear your dog, please dont wear any fur." The campaign was PETAs first in eastern Europe.
Wind surfs and practices kung fu.
May 26, 2002 - Donated 1000 pounds in prize money that he won on a Croatian quiz show, giving it to the countrys theatres. At the time, he had never been on a TV quiz show.
In a full-page article titled, "Goran Visnjic Dr. Do Good" in the February 2005 issue of In Style magazine, he announced his support for, and collaboration with, the IFAWs (International Fund for Animal Welfare) efforts to save wildlife and the environment, by becoming a spokesperson for that organizations efforts to protect whales and fur bearing seals.
Named as the Best Croatian actor in 2004 according to the votes of the visitors of internet magazines.
Named as the Best Croatian actor in 2004 (for role in the movie Duga mracna noc ) according to the votes of the famous Croatian newspaper "Vecernji list".
Named "One of TVs Sexiest Men" in June 5-11 2005 TV Guide.
On June 19, 2005 he received Croatias highest cultural honor, the Vladimir Nazor award for "Best Realization of a Theatrical Performance - Film" for his performance in the Pula Film Festival award-winning film, Duga mracna noc . Each year the "Vladimir Nazor" is awarded to the nations top artists in the areas of: literature, music, painting and sculpture, theater, film and architecture. The awards ceremony took place at the Dverce Palace in Zagreb where the Minister of Culture handed out the awards.
Croatian citizen.
Graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. Dated actress Lucija Serbedzija (daughter of Rade Serbedzija) for four years while they were there.
He is a huge fan of the series "Stargate SG-1" .
Ranked #18 in Croatian-based monthly film magazine "Hollywood" in Best Croatian Male Movie Stars of All Time list. (November 2005)
Ranked #1 in Croatian Internet IskonPortal Magazines "Top 10 Sexiest Croatian Movie Stars of 2005" list. (January, 2005)
Adopted a baby boy born 19 April 2007 in Los Angeles, California. They have named him Tin Visnjic.
His last name was derived of both Croatian and Serbian word "visnja", which means cherry. Therefore Visnjic means "of the cherry".
Daughter, Lana Lourdes Rupic, born March 21, 2007. Mother is Mirela Rupic. Goran accepted paternity in November 2007.
Tin Visnjic, Goran and Ivanas son, is named after Augustin Tin Ujevic, who is considered to be one of the greatest Croatian poets of all time.
On 7/7/11, Goran and his wife Ivana welcomed their second son into their family. Vigo Leo Visnjic arrived earlier than expected at 8.8lbs, and 19.5in by caesarean section to a surrogate mother. The news was released through Bleu Profond 2: A Goran Visnjic website and in the 7/13/11 issue of Story magazine in Croatia.
Goran and Ivana joined almost 10,000 others participating in the May 23, 2013 Naturalization and Oath Swearing ceremony in Los Angeles, thus becoming US Citizens. At the same time, Ivana officially changed her name to Eva.
In July 2013, Goran and Eva finalized the adoption of their third child, a daughter. Vivien Sofia Visnjic was born on 8-12-09.
Starred in the 1999 Madonna music video The Power Of Goodbye.
Gorans nickname is Sime (pronounced SHIH-meh). It was given to him by his friend, actor Sasa Buneta while he was in drama school.
I was happy to do it when I saw the chance of helping out the local,theatre scene . . . I am delighted to be able to help the theatres where,I grew up and learned my profession. I have never forgotten my past.
