Misplaced Pages

Goran Višnjić
Višnjić at Rome Film Festival in 2014
Born	(1972-09-09) 9 September 1972 (age 52) 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	Eva Višnjić ​(m. 1999)​
Children	4
Relatives	Antun Vrdoljak (father-in-law)

Goran Višnjić (Croatian: [ɡǒran ʋîʃɲitɕ] VISH-nyich; born 9 September 1972) is a Croatian-American actor who has appeared in American and British films and television productions. He is best known for his roles as Dr. Luka Kovač in ER and Garcia Flynn in Timeless, both NBC television series. For ER, he and the cast were nominated for two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

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

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. He portrayed the doomed prince from 1994 to 2000, winning three national awards. 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.

Prior to ER, he found work in local television productions and landed a Tuborg beer commercial that aired in Europe. Višnjić also had small speaking roles in films such as The Peacemaker, Practical Magic and Committed. In 1998, he appeared in Madonna's music video "The Power of Good-Bye," and had a cameo in the film Rounders. 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.

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 Ice Age and 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.

In 2009, Višnjić appeared alongside Carla Gugino in a segment of the film New York, I Love You, an anthology set in New York. Višnjić's segment Apocrypha was directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev. The segment was cut from the theatrical release of the film but was included in the DVD version. He next starred in Helen, alongside Ashley Judd as Judd's character's husband David, which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

Višnjić appeared in The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, about a young Polish woman who saved the lives of many Jewish children in wartime Warsaw, filmed in Riga, Latvia. It was produced for Hallmark Hall of Fame and aired on CBS on 19 April 2009. He completed a role in Mike Mills' independent film, Beginners. In late 2009, he was cast as Samson in The Deep, shown on BBC One in 2010.

He appeared as Andrija Hebrang in the television miniseries Tito. He later appeared in the unsold pilot of ABC's Boston's Finest, playing a disgraced cop who works with a female officer to solve crimes while trying to clear his name. He also appeared in the two-episode season three finale of the television series Leverage, as international crime financier Damien Moreau, his first guest appearance on an English-language television program.

In 2011, he played Dragan Armansky, the head of a security agency, in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and he has signed on to play this role for the entire film trilogy produced and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment. He was featured on a four-episode arc of the television series Pan Am; he played a Yugoslavian attaché to the United Nations.

In 2014, Višnjić played John Woods, the husband of Molly Woods, in Extant, produced by Steven Spielberg. Although the series was renewed in late 2014, he left the series early in the second season.

From 2016 to 2018, he played former NSA asset Garcia Flynn in NBC's Timeless.

In 2019, Višnjić portrayed Ante Gotovina in the Antun Vrdoljak-directed film General. His performance, along with the film itself gained overwhelmingly negative reviews with many critics, including Milivoj Jukić and Jurica Pavičić calling his portrayal "the worst performance of his career." The critically and commercially panned film was screened at the Pula Film Festival.

Višnjić played Nikola Tesla in the twelfth series of Doctor Who, appearing in the fourth episode, "Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror," first broadcast on 19 January 2020.

In early 2020, Višnjić was cast as Count Dracula in the unsold ABC pilot The Brides, which was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

In 2024, Višnjić returned to the stage starring opposite Zrinka Cvitešić and Goran Grgić in Ivo Vojnović's Ekvinocijo, directed by Krešimir Dolenčić at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. He also appeared in the final season of Vikings: Valhalla as Erik the Red.

Recognition

Višnjić was named People's 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

1. "Croatia's Most Famous Hollywood Export Gets U.S Citizenship". Croatia Week. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
2. D'Souza, Christa (29 September 2001). "Doctor of love". The Daily Telegraph.
3. @goran_visnjic (12 September 2017). "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" – via Instagram.
4. Knutzen, Eirik (17 December 2000). "A Prescription For Success Goran Visnjic Stepped Off The Croatian Stage And Quickly Into The "Er" On Nbc". Philly. The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015.
5. Allen, Ted (1 March 2002). "Who Is Goran Visnjic and What Does He Want?". Esquire. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
6. Riley, Jenelle (25 March 2013). "Accent on Talent". Backstage.
7. Fernandez, Jenifer R. (October 2001). "ER's GORAN VISNJIC on the road to movie stardom". Orange Coast Magazine. Emmis Communications. ISSN 0279-0483.
8. ^ "Goranovu ulogu iz Hitne službe nisu zaboravili do danas, on si je dodijelio simpatičnu 'nagradu'". Gloria (in Croatian). 24 February 2021.
9. "Tuborg Beer Ad". YouTube. 4 September 2024.
10. Simpson, George (10 August 2021). "James Bond auditions: Why was Daniel Craig chosen over Henry Cavill for Casino Royale?". Daily Express.
11. "'New York' newbies". The Hollywood Reporter. 28 April 2008.
12. Nissim, Mayer (3 May 2009). "Johansson's directorial debut rejected". Digital Spy.
13. "Sundance Festival 2009". Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
14. "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler". Variety. 16 April 2009.
15. McNary, Dave (8 November 2009). "Visnjic added to 'Beginners' cast". Variety.
16. "James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Goran Visnjic star in new BBC One drama serial, The Deep". BBC. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
17. "Goran Visnjic among latest pilot castings". The Hollywood Reporter. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
18. Gerstein, Julie (9 February 2011). "Goran Visnjic Signs On to Dragon Tattoo". Vulture.
19. "'ER' Star Cast as Halle Berry's Husband in CBS' 'Extant'". The Hollywood reporter. 29 January 2014.
20. "'Extant' Season 2 Spoilers: Goran Visnjic Leaves Series, But Will Make an Appearance at Start of Upcoming Season". Latin Post. 2 June 2015.
21. "Goran Visnjic To Co-Star In NBC's 'Time' Travel Pilot From Eric Kripke & Shawn Ryan". Deadline Hollywood. 8 March 2016.
22. 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". Tportal (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 April 2021.
23. 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". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 April 2021.
24. Rudelić, Rafaela (17 July 2019). "FILM GENERAL: FILM ANTUNA VRDOLJAKA ISPUNIO JE OČEKIVANJA KOJA JE I POSTAVIO". Ziher (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
25. "Vrdoljakov film General ne prestaje podizati prašinu, A OGLASIO SE I SAM ANTE GOTOVINA". Glas Istre (in Croatian). 17 January 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
26. "GAFOVIMA NEMA KRAJA Serija 'General' opet niže kritike: Koji treš, ovo je bolje od 'Krv nije voda'". direktno (in Croatian). 26 December 2019. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
27. "DRUŠTVENE MREŽE SA ZANIMANJEM ISPRATILE I FINIŠ 'GENERALA' Komentatori ponovno imali brojne kritike, ali nećete vjerovati - pali su i neki komplimenti". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). 27 January 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
28. Andreeva, Nellie (9 March 2020). "Goran Višnjić To Play Dracula In 'The Brides' ABC Supernatural Drama Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
29. Thomas, Mark (19 March 2024). "Goran Višnjić Headlines Premieres at 75th Dubrovnik Summer Festival". The Dubrovnik Times.
30. Basara, Emina (18 February 2005). "Trinaest veličanstvenih!" [Magnificent thirteen]. Večernji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 3 June 2015.
31. Tolić, Dolores (14 August 2019). "Goran Višnjić odlazi iz Amerike i s obitelji okreće novu stranicu u životu". Gloria (in Croatian).
32. Peričić, Ante (27 July 2024). "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'". Telegram (in Croatian).
33. "'ER' Star Admits Paternity of Croatian Baby Girl". BuddyTV. 28 November 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
34. "Goran Višnjić otkrio zašto ne živi u Hrvatskoj: 'Ne želim da djeca imaju tu prtljagu'". Večernji list (in Croatian). 17 October 2022.
35. "The 6th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
36. "The 7th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
37. "2002 6th Annual SATELLITE Awards Nominees and Winners". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
38. "Festival du Film de Paris : le palmarès". AlloCiné (in French). 7 April 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
39. "Duga mračna noć". Pula Film Festival (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
40. "Dobitnici Nagrade "Vladimir Nazor" od 1959. do 2005". Ministry of Culture and Media (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
41. "2011 Winners and nominees". Gotham Independent Film Awards. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
42. "DOBITNICI NAGRADA HRVATSKOG GLUMIŠTA 2024. g." hrvatsko društvo dramskih umjetnika (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 December 2024.

External links

• Goran Višnjić on Instagram
• Goran Višnjić on Twitter
• Goran Višnjić at IMDb
• Media related to Goran Višnjić at Wikimedia Commons

• 1972 births
• 20th-century Croatian male actors
• 21st-century Croatian male actors
• 20th-century American male actors
• 21st-century American male actors
• American people of Croatian descent
• American male film actors
• American male television actors
• American male stage actors
• American male voice actors
• Croatian male film actors
• Croatian male stage actors
• Croatian male television actors
• Croatian male voice actors
• Croatian emigrants to the United States
• Croatian emigrants to the United Kingdom
• Croatian soldiers
• Military personnel of the Croatian War of Independence
• Living people
• People from Šibenik
• Croatian Theatre Award winners
• Golden Arena winners
• Vladimir Nazor Award winners
• Academy of Dramatic Art, University of Zagreb alumni