BIOGRAPHY:

A native of Wisconsin, Mark Ruffalo moved with his family to Virginia Beach, Virginia where he lived out most of his teenage years. Following high school, Mark moved with his family to San Diego and soon migrated north, eventually settling in Los Angeles. He took classes at the Stella Adler Conservatory and subsequently co-founded the Orpheus Theatre Company, an Equity-Waiver establishment where he did yeoman work. Practically performing in every capacity, he went from acting, writing, directing and producing to running the lights and building sets while building up his resume. Despite good stage reviews, Mark couldn't get arrested in film and TV, having to bartend for nearly nine years to make ends meet. Ready to give it all up, a chance meeting and resulting collaboration with playwright/screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan changed everything. Ruffalo won NY success in Lonergan's play "This Is Our Youth", which led to his winning the male lead in Lonergan's film You Can Count on Me (2000). His stunning, mesmerizing performance as Laura Linney's ne'er-do-well brother had Hollywood opening its eyes wide to this new serious talent. Some reviewers even found themselves comparing him to an early Marlon Brando. Despite this career-breaking success, Mark remains true to his stage roots and small theater company in L.A., occasionally directing and performing in-between taking on the big, lucrative film projects that are now offered. Although he is not yet a top marquee item, Mark has continued to impress with his range and versatility in both leads and character roles and remains consistently in demand. His more notable films of late have included XX/XY (2002), My Life Without Me (2003) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).

TRIVIA:

Attended First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
While appearing in the drama "Awake and Sing!", he was nominated for the 2006 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actor in a Drama.
His brother, Scott Ruffalo, died December 8, 2008 after being found outside his Beverly Hills home after a gunshot wound to the head. He was a 39-year-old hairdresser and was married to Luzelena. His body was cremated.
Was in attendance at 'Chris Penn (I)' (qv)'s funeral.
He was supposed to play the part of "Perry Smith" in _Infamous (2006)_ (qv) but had other engagements and so recommended 'Daniel Craig (I)' (qv), who then went on to get the job.
In an interview with Moviemaker magazine, he claims to have made 800 auditions in his lifetime before making it big.
Children: son Keen (b. June 2001) and daughters Bella Noche (b. May 2005) and Odette (b. October 20, 2007).
Father was a construction painter and mother a hairstylist. Both are Italian-Americans and later divorced. His three siblings -- Scott, Tania and Nicole -- are all hairdressers.

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