For Mark, reaching the pinnacle of his acting career still brought his fair share of struggles. Three weeks after he welcomed son Keen into the world, he went under the knife, but not before recording a message in case he never woke up. With every new adversity, I protested almost to God 'How much more of this do I have to take?'". In an interview with Men's Journal, Mark Ruffalo described his childhood and experiences as a young man. [1] With the theater company, he wrote, directed, and starred in a number of plays. He Convinced Mark Ruffalo To Become The Hulk! According to theLos Angeles Times, on Dec. 8, 2008, Mark's brother, Scott, died a week after he was shot in the head in his own home. At the time, Mark had just graduated from high school; in several interviews, he's recalled that the family was living in a neighborhood where drugs like meth were commonly sold. Mark Ruffalo trivia: 60 interestng facts about the actor! [35], In February 2016, Ruffalo tweeted a Tech Times article in which a group of Argentinian doctors attributed the cause of a microcephaly outbreak in Brazil to the use of a larvicide chemical added to reservoirs of drinking water to combat dengue fever, rather than the Zika virus. And I thought, 'yep.' The way the world looked to me changed." It might not show, but the affable Avenger is now into his 50s, and his half-century on this earth really has been the proverbial rollercoaster ride. In an interview with New York Magazine, Ruffalo detailed his struggles after graduating high school. ", Ruffalo spent so long dealing with professional rejection (he reckons that he auditioned for anywhere between 600 and 800 roles without hearing back!) RELATED:Wayne Osmond Says This Was His First Sign of a Brain Tumor. In 'I Know This Much Is True,' Mark Ruffalo Fights (and Comforts He began acting in the early 1990s and first gained recognition for his work in Kenneth Lonergan 's play This Is Our Youth (1998) and drama film You Can Count on Me (2000). An hour after the scan, while waiting in the neurologist's hospital room with his doctor, the nurse came in and asked Ruffalos doctor to have a chat outside the room with them. It caused the actor great anguish to think his tumor could cost him his life or career. He said, " there was a time if you came into my apartment, there were pictures and posters hanging in very odd places where they were covering fist-holes through walls," adding, "Glasses that had been thrown through, coffee mugs, books, whatever I could get a hold of.". His father, Frank, owned a construction painting business that he inherited from his father while his mother, Maria, worked as a hairstylist. Amy Sussman/Getty Images While the actor says he did experience temporary paralysis following his operation, the symptoms resolved in the months that followed. Read on to learn the stranger-than-fiction way he learned of his condition, and why he now views the experience as a gift. It's like a low-grade depression that just is running all the time in the background.". Ruffalo struggled with ADD and dyslexia as a child, and in 2002, suffered a brain tumor whose surgery resulted in a prolonged period of facial paralysis. Its like a low-grade depression that just is running all the time in the background.". It was a difficult tim, and he has said he was "just about ready to jump off a bridge. TIL that Mark Ruffalo was diagnosed with a brain tumor that resulted in temporary facial paralysis and the permanent loss of hearing in his left year. Mark Ruffalois an American actor and film producer who has starred in numerous films and television series. "It reminded me that life is short and you'd better do what you want while you have a chance." However, he was also told by the hospital staff that overall the surgery went well and that they preserved his nerve and removed the tumour. He finally got the break he needed and was cast in a variety of films that made him become a recognised face. [42], Also in 2019, Ruffalo starred in and co-produced Dark Waters, which spotlighted another one of his environmental concerns with its true-life depiction of a corporate lawyer's relentless pursuit of justice to expose poisonous pollution by chemical behemoth DuPont. By the tenth month his face started to back, which he was surprised about because it had been so long. The first day [after surgery], you know, I was just out of it and then the second day they came in they're checking my face, and my face began to go paralyzed so by the third day and fourth day out from the surgery I couldn't close my eye and I couldn't move my face on the left side of my face and that was pretty alarming.. Later in life, Ruffalo discovered that some contributing factors to his childhood alienation may have been undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia. Actor: Spotlight. Not so lucky for the gangbanger, however the cop pulled his own gun and shot him dead on the spot. Small tumours may also be treated by stereotactic radiosurgery, which involves a precise beam of radiation targeting the tumour to prevent it growing bigger. Ruffalo graduated from First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, where he acted for the Patriot Playhouse. in 2006. But finally the paralysis did start to go. She went "white as a sheet" when it turned out he was right. As a result of the tumour, he briefly suffered a period of partial facial paralysis. There, Frank started a new business called Soda Butler, a business reminiscent of the modern Soda Stream. [13], In 2010, he starred in Lisa Cholodenko's The Kids Are All Right, with Annette Bening and Julianne Moore. [1] He received favorable reviews for his performance in this film, often earning comparisons to the young Marlon Brando, and won awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and Montreal World Film Festival. "I Know This Much Is True," an HBO limited series based on Wally Lamb's 1998 brick of a book, begins when Thomas Birdsey enters a public library and amputates his . Ruffalo did in fact lose his hearing soon after surgery. According to Ruffalo, he gained 40 pounds following his operation. Updated on April 21, 2022: These days, Mark Ruffalo is doing much better. Mark also supports the group 'Water Defense' which undertakes clean water programs. Mark Ruffalo | Biography, Movies, TV Series, & Facts Eventually, word got out about Ruffalo's diagnosis and subsequent surgery, putting those rumors to rest. Ruffalo had a difficult time accepting the fact that he was unable to work. According to the New York Post, the suicide of his longtime bestie Michael taught Ruffalo "the value of life" and made him all the more determined to make it as an actor. [16][30], In 2008, Ruffalo expressed concern that gas companies were eyeing his family's land in Callicoon, New York. [60], Ruffalo was interviewed by "We Are Change" at an anti-war rally in 2007. Ruffalo's professional life seems to have run smoothly all these years. Speaking about a difficult time in his life, Mark told Parade: "For a long time, I felt like someone had it in for me. Following his brother's death, Ruffalo decided to take a break from Hollywood. But take these tragic things and turn them into something meaningful and worthy of the loss. My work started to change, my luck started to change. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. He's enjoying the heights right now, but, before playing Bruce Banner/the Hulk in Hollywood's biggest franchise, he had to first experience the lowest of lows, going through things that most of us would struggle to overcome. We don't know what it is exactly, and you'll need an MRI.' Mark Ruffalo was born on November 22, 1967, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Marie Rose, a hairdresser and stylist, and Frank Lawrence Ruffalo, Jr., a construction painter. The two bonded over mutual interests, experiences, and views in life. However, in the year 2000just as his career was taking offthe actor suffered a setback that could easily have thwarted the many achievements that lay ahead. Years later, she called Ruffalo and said she wrote a script and had him in mind for the part. Joaquin Phoenix took on the part instead. Saturday, 4th March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Describing his tumor as "the best of the worst" in a 2012 interview, he said, "I didn't die, but I learned a lot about myself I learned that I could survive.". ", During an interview with theObserver, Ruffalo commented on his depression, "It's dysthymia. He might be able to pull off playing a scientific genius in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Ruffalo didn't exactly shine academically as a child. In school, he often felt like the odd one out. "He didn't tell anyone for weeks," his motherrecalled. "When these things happen, you sort of remember your religion a little bit," he told the ANA. What Is The Tragedy Of Mark Ruffalo? Is Mark Ruffalo Paralyzed? 2022 Galvanized Media. And the fact that so many people will take it to that extreme, when you're talking about that kind of inequality, that kind of oppression, that kind of apartheid. Mark Ruffalo - IMDb Mark Ruffalo Biography | Movies, Net Worth, Height, Wife - WikiBlog Thankfully, the operation was a success and doctors were able to remove the tumour. In 2001, Mark Ruffalo grabbed the attention of the on-set doctor for a film he was working on. When paramedics arrived at the 39-year-old hairdresser's Beverly Hills condo, they found him with a gunshot wound to the side of the head. Fans Can't Stop Talking About Tom Holland's Face In Mark Ruffalo's MCU Picture, Mark Ruffalo Almost Passed On His Iconic '13 Going On 30' Role, The Real Reason Lisa Marie Presley Divorced Michael Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow Avoided Speaking Directly To The Restaurant Staff And Instead Ordered Through Her Personal Assistant, Despite The Age Gap, Joel Madden And Hilary Duff Don't Have Any Regrets About Their Relationship. According to Adham, she visited Scott to retrieve the keys to her car; she told the police that while she was with Scott, he mentioned something about Russian roulette, and she heard a gunshot shortly after. Born in Wisconsin to a hairdresser mother and painter father, a Hollywood life was far from what he was used to. Thankfully, it started beating again, but despite the removal of the benign growth, his battle was just beginning. His EGOT recognitions are: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Inspired, he signed on for the role of Paul, a man who is contacted by two children born to a lesbian couple who used his donated sperm. After he did just that, Ruffalo made a lot of friends in the business, one of whom was Chris Penn. Even after he got his first paid acting gig (a 1989 Clearasil commercial that really hasn't aged well), he couldn't afford to move out of the Los Angeles' MacArthur Park, an area notorious for being overrun with drug dealers and dangerous addicts. "[31] On October 4, 2010, Ruffalo appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show to discuss hydraulic fracturing and the FRAC Act of 2009. You get calloused, a little bit harder maybe, so be on guard for that. He went on to star in the romantic comedies 13 Going on 30 (2004) and Just like Heaven (2005) and the thrillers In the Cut (2003), Zodiac (2007), and Shutter Island (2010). Mark Alan Ruffalo (/rflo/; born November 22, 1967) is an American actor and producer. Ruffalo cited VoteRiders as a source of assistance for voter ID requirements across the United States .[71][72]. According to The Wrap's report, Hulu is a valuable asset, with 44% of households in the United States subscribing to the service, and estimated to be worth between $19.8-27.5 billion. MBC A retelling of his life in He failed several times in the audition and went through tremendous suffering such as being judged for a brain tumor, facial paralysis, and deafness. "My brother passing away was the final thing that kicked me over,"he recalled. "Somehow this story came out about my being on this terrorist list," he told the newspaper. It led to other significant roles, including the films XX/XY (2002), Isabel Coixet's My Life Without Me, John Woo's Windtalkers (2003), Jane Campion's In the Cut (2003), Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), and We Don't Live Here Anymore (2004), which is based on two short stories written by Andre Dubus. From crippling poverty and illness to several brushes with death, this is the tragic real-life story of Mark Ruffalo. Mark Alan Ruffalo was born on November 22nd of 1967 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Ruffalo has been nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the comedy-drama The Kids Are All Right (2010), the biopic Foxcatcher (2014), and the drama Spotlight (2015). "[62], Ruffalo is pro-choice. Also in 2014, Ruffalo received his second Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of wrestler Dave Schultz in the biographical drama Foxcatcher. [36], In March 2016, Ruffalo narrated and produced Dear President Obama: The Clean Energy Revolution Is Now, a documentary by director Jon Bowermaster which looks at President Barack Obama's environmental tenure and legacy concerning the massive expansion of oil and natural gas drilling. The Tragic Truth About Mark Ruffalo's Health Issues - TheThings From here on out, do the best you can to make it count.". Here's a look back at Mark Ruffalo's tragic real-life story. "Dying was my biggest fear.". It wasn't until The Washington Times finally nailed the story that it went away. Mark Ruffalo, in full Mark Alan Ruffalo, (born November 22, 1967, Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.), American actor who was a compelling performer in critically acclaimed movies and plays, though he was perhaps more widely known for portraying Bruce Banner/the Hulk in a series of superhero movies. Ruffalo and his family call the . Since then, he's received three Oscar nominations for his performances in The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher, and Spotlight. dealt with depression since he was a child, After having a dream that he had developed a brain tumor, an interview with the Acoustic Neuroma Association, a spot on the U.S. Mark Ruffalo is an anti-fracking activist. All of the reasons why stars are definitely not like us. Award-winning actor Mark Ruffalo was born on November 22, 1967, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, of humble means to father Frank Lawrence Ruffalo, a construction painter and Marie Rose (Hebert), a stylist and hairdresser; his father's ancestry is Italian and his mother is of half French-Canadian and half Italian descent. This sounds sappy, but I was always aware of the frailty of human beings, the sorrow in the nature of things. "It's pretty much a daily practice that quiets your brain and oddly enough, actually slows down time, so you're not so much trapped in your immediate reactions to things," he explained. In 1989, he made his screen debut in an episode of CBS Summer Playhouse. He has also received two Primetime Emmy Awards; Outstanding Television Movie for The Normal Heart (2014) and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in I Know This Much Is True (2020). However, she played no role whatsoever in his accidental death." Looking back, Ruffalo is grateful for and haunted by the dream that saved his life. Though Ruffalo wanted to be an actor, he was embarrassed and lied. [57] Ruffalo's mother and stepfather live in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where he and his family occasionally spend their summers. After having a dream that he had developed a brain tumor, Ruffalo became concerned and decided to consult a doctor. For example, he had dyslexia, which makes it a challenge for people to read text in spite of being of normal intelligence in other respects. If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing He started acting in the early 1990s. He was cast as the male lead for Lonergan's directorial debut in 2000, You Can Count on Me. He has struggled with depression since he was a kid. He's said he spent most of his time smoking, surfing, and wandering around aimlessly instead, a period when he was "just about ready to jump off a bridge. [10], Ruffalo played 'Vinnie Webber', a minor character in Series 1 Episode 9 of Due South, first broadcast in Canada in 1994. 'Hulk' Mark Ruffalo suffers from facial paralysis due to a brain tumour The A-Z of famous names supporting Labour, the Tories, the Lib Dems and Greens", "Mark Ruffalo in Standing Rock; Leo DiCaprio, Jesse Jackson Head to Standing Rock", "Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo enlisted by Green Party in bid for government support", "I have reflected & wanted to apologize for posts during the recent Israel/Hamas fighting that suggested Israel is committing "genocide". He won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor in a TV Movie for playing a gay writer and activist in the television drama film The Normal Heart (2015), and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his dual role as identical twins in the miniseries I Know This Much Is True (2020). that he started to bring his anger home with him. How Mark Ruffalo Discovered He Had a Brain Tumor Best Life Ruffalo did in fact lose his hearing soon after surgery. He had to undergo multiple therapies to move the muscles of his face again and be able to walk long distances. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Ruffalo explained that meditation has helped him to cope with his anxiety. Father was a construction painter and mother a hairstylist. He began acting in the early 1990s and rose to prominence after appearing in Kenneth Lonergan's play This Is Our Youth and the drama film You Can Count On Me. [1] In March 2007, he appeared in Zodiac as SFPD homicide inspector Dave Toschi, who ran the investigation to find and apprehend the Zodiac killer from 1969 through most of the 1970s. Self deprecation is the most lethal weapon in any ladykiller's arsenal. The two other people present at Scott's home that night (26-year-old Shaha Adham, the daughter of a wealthy Saudi businessman, and Brian Scofield, her 29-year-old boyfriend) were arrested but told authorities that Scott inflicted the wound on himself. "People are so afraid of mental illness but its everywhere," he told Observer. Upcoming Mark Ruffalo Movies And TV Shows: What's Ahead - CINEMABLEND Mark Ruffalo. He is the founder of the 'Solutions Project', which works for achieving 100% renewable energy. He began acting in the early 1990s and first gained recognition for his work in Kenneth Lonergan's play This Is Our Youth (1998) and drama film You Can Count on Me (2000). Actor: Spotlight. Here's a look back at Mark Ruffalo's tragic real-life story. "Drugs, alcoholism, AIDS." The way the world looked to me changed.". An Afternoon With Mark Ruffalo: Resisting a Hollywood Brand - The New Luckily, they were able to remove the tumor successfully. The Ruffalo family lived here for a number of years before Soda Butler also went out of business. 210.65.88.143 We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. The actor sought out his own meditation teacher to see if it would work for him in the same way, and the results were astonishing. Ruffalos tumour had grown on his facial nerve responsible for controlling the muscles in the face. "[63] Ruffalo has called for an economic revolution, saying that "capitalism today is failing us, killing us, and robbing from our children's future. "It's when you have what seems to be bad luck that actually turns into good luck later." Friendships usually form based on common beliefs, interests, or experiences, and Mark and Michael were no different. The side effects of the operation, however, have left Mark with many side effects. Marvel & Ruffalo Reach Hulk Deal", "Avengers: Age of Ultron Mark Ruffalo Says There's a Confrontation Coming Between The Hulk and Banner", "Marvel Studios Confirms Stellar New Cast Members of the Highly Anticipated 'Thor: Ragnarok', "Mark Ruffalo accidentally spoiled Avengers: Infinity War's ending a year ago", "Mark Ruffalo spoiled Avengers: Infinity War nine months ago - but everyone thought he was joking", "Mark Ruffalo unveils his 'Normal Heart' in lessons he drew from film", "Mark Ruffalo After 'Normal Heart': 'If A Piano Dropped On Me Tomorrow, I Did OK", "Two Old Acting Pals, Together on Film at Last", "Mark Ruffalo Speaks Out Against Fracking Practices on The Rachel Maddow Show", "Mark Ruffalo Is on a Homeland Security Watch", "Does Pennsylvania Consider Actor Mark Ruffalo a Terrorist? This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Then every news organization in the country ran it without bothering to check if it was true. Whether you know Mark Ruffalo as the king of rom coms, the Hulk in the Marvel movie franchise, or as an Oscar-courting dramatic actor, one thing's for sure: there's no denying his talent or versatility. at the Belasco Theatre in New York, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including These non-routine tests have the potential to save your life. His dad is of Italian descent, from Girifalco while his mother is of half-French Canadian and half-Italian . While filming what would become a breakout role in his career, Ruffalo was diagnosed with a rare form of brain tumor, which he says was "the size of a golf ball" when it was found. During the time of his diagnosis, hewas working on the 2001 filmThe Last Castle, starring Robert Redford and James Gandolfini. In 2010, he co-starred in the Martin Scorsese thriller Shutter Island as U.S. [52], On December 1, 2008, Ruffalo's younger brother, Scott, was found outside his home on North Palm Drive in Beverly Hills with an execution-style bullet wound to the head. [11], Ruffalo had minor roles in films including The Dentist (1996), the low-key crime comedy Safe Men (1998), and Ang Lee's Civil War western Ride with the Devil (1999). This infuriated Penn's grieving loved ones, some of whom decided to confront the snapper. "Those are the ones you may be stuck to.". The star had to undergo surgery just four weeks after his diagnosis to remove the tumour, which he was terrified about. A nightmare told him he had a tumorand doctors discovered it was true. [17] He reprised the role again in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015),[18] Thor: Ragnarok (2017),[19] Avengers: Infinity War (2018),[20][21] and Avengers: Endgame (2019). What is it? Mark decided to keep the devastating news to himself as his wife was expecting their first child at the time. [69], Ruffalo signed a letter supporting Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn describing him as "a beacon of hope in the struggle against emergent far-right nationalism, xenophobia and racism in much of the democratic world" and endorsed him for in the 2019 UK general election. Mark Ruffalo Plays Twins in 'I Know This Much Is True' - AARP According to Mayo clinic, this is a buildup of fluid inside cavities deep within the brain known as ventricles. Here's what really happened. [66], In October 2019, Ruffalo tweeted that "until George W. Bush is brought to justice for the crimes of the Iraq War, (including American-led torture, Iraqi deaths & displacement, and the deep scarsemotional & otherwiseinflicted on our military that served his folly), we cant even begin to talk about kindness. His part in This Is Our Youth opened doors for him in TV and film. "Be careful what bargains you make," Ruffalo quipped while speaking to the ANA. In fact, things went downhill pretty fast. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Actor Mark Ruffalo, known for his role as Bruce Banner / Hulk, had a brain tumor in 2001. Net Worth He was raised alongside two sisters and a brother by working-class parents of Italian and French-Canadian descent.