Mark Ruffalo is an acclaimed actor, director, producer, screenwriter, and environmental activist, widely recognized for portraying Bruce Banner—the Hulk—in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including The Avengers films and their sequels.
Mark Ruffalo was born on November 22, 1967, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His mother, Marie Rose, worked as a hairdresser and stylist, while his father, Frank Lawrence Ruffalo Jr., was a construction painter. Mark has two sisters, Tania and Nicole, and had a brother, Scott Ruffalo, who tragically died at the age of 39 from a gunshot wound.
Ruffalo comes from a mixed-ethnic background; his father was of Italian descent, while his mother had French Canadian and Italian roots. Raised in a Catholic household, Mark attended both Catholic and progressive schools. Despite their strong faith, his parents divorced—a painful experience that left a lasting emotional impact on him.
Mark spent much of his childhood in Virginia Beach, Virginia, before relocating with his family to San Diego, California, after high school. Eventually, they settled in Los Angeles, where Ruffalo’s acting career began to take shape.
As a child, Mark struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nevertheless, he described his upbringing as happy, nurtured by a close-knit and loving family. During his junior high and high school years, he participated in wrestling competitions.
In Los Angeles, he trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting and later co-founded the Orpheus Theatre Company. This experience provided him a vital platform in theatre, leading to minor roles on television and in films.
A significant turning point in Ruffalo's career occurred when he met playwright Kenneth Lonergan. Ruffalo appeared in several of Lonergan’s stage plays and films. His performance in Lonergan's 2000 film, You Can Count on Me, earned widespread critical acclaim and marked his breakthrough in Hollywood.
In June 2000, Mark Ruffalo married actress and entrepreneur Sunrise Coigney. Coigney owns a network of successful jewelry stores. The couple has three children: one son, Keen, and two daughters, Bella Noche and Odette. Known for maintaining a stable and enduring relationship, they are often regarded as one of Hollywood’s more grounded couples.
Ruffalo is also known for his political activism. He publicly opposed Donald Trump's presidential campaign and actively participated in protests and public forums advocating for social and environmental issues.
In 2002, shortly after working on the film The Last Castle, Ruffalo was diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma, a type of brain tumor. Although benign, the surgery to remove the tumor resulted in partial facial paralysis and a temporary loss of hearing. Over time, he recovered and returned to his acting career.
Later, in 2008, Ruffalo experienced profound personal loss. His close friend and fellow actor Heath Ledger passed away, and later that year, his brother Scott died under unclear circumstances involving a gunshot wound. The incident remains officially unresolved.
Mark Ruffalo is a passionate environmental activist who continues to champion clean energy and water safety. In 2015, he was honored with an environmental award at Dickinson College, where he delivered an inspiring speech stating, “I'm here to tell you that 'activist' isn't a dirty word."
He co-founded The Solutions Project, which aims to transition to 100% renewable energy. He is also deeply involved with Water Defense, an organization committed to protecting clean water sources.
