Goran Visnjic

Goran Visnjic is a Croatian American actor and producer, born in Sibenik, Croatia. He is married to Eva Visnjic (formerly Ivana Vrdoljak) with whom has three children. From an early age Visnjic started appearing in various theater plays. At the age of 16, he had his screen debut in the film Braca po materi (1988).

In 1990, when the dissolution of Yugoslavia began, Visnjic was serving a one-year military obligation in the Yugoslavian Army (JNA). He left the JNA and returned to Sibenik, where he joined the Croatian Army in the defense of his hometown. After leaving the army, he moved to Zagreb and enrolled at the Academy of Dramatic Art. In his second year of studies at the academy, Visnjic was chosen for the title role in Shakespeare's Hamlet, which made him the youngest actor to play that role.

The youngest actor to be chosen for the coveted title role in Shakespeare's 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."

Prior to joining ER (1994) in 1999, Visnjic played several minor roles in the films like The Peacemaker (1997), Welcome to Sarajevo (1997) and Practical Magic (1998).

He is a huge fan of the series Stargate SG-1 (1997).

Starred in the 1999 Madonna music video 'The Power Of Goodbye'.

Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world [2000]

May 26, 2002 - Donated 1000 pounds in prize money that he won on a Croatian quiz show, giving it to the country's theatres. At the time, he had never been on a TV quiz show.

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 wouldn't wear your dog, please don't wear any fur." The campaign was PETA's first in eastern Europe.

Named as the Best Croatian actor in 2004 according to the votes of the visitors of internet magazines.

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 IFAW's (International Fund for Animal Welfare) efforts to save wildlife and the environment, by becoming a spokesperson for that organization's efforts to protect whales and fur bearing seals.

Adopted a baby boy born 19 April 2007 in Los Angeles, California. They have named him Tin Visnjic.

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.

Adopted a dog born with a cleft lip in 2018 from the LA-based charity Josh and his Critters. The pup was affectionately known as "Lefty the Clefty". Goran and his wife Eva have helped to raise money for the charity to assist with saving other special needs animals.