| Biography: Goran Visnjic |
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| GORAN VISNJIC: Dr. Luka Kovac Goran Visnjic joined the cast of NBC's "ER" last season playing the role of Dr. Luka Kovac, a Croatian doctor. Visnjic grew up in a town in his native Croatia off the Adriatic Sea, where he decided at an early age that he wanted to be an actor. He first performed in local theater groups and then entered the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. He gained popularity in Croatia when, at the age of 21, he was cast as Hamlet in the prestigious Dubrovnik Summer Festival's staging of Shakespeare's play. The production received rave reviews, with Visnjic's own performance earning him three national Best Actor awards, including an Orlando (the Croatian equivalent of a Tony). His additional theater credits include "Les Fourberies de Scapin," "L'Ecole des Femmes," "Miss Julie," "Ivanov," "The Brothers Karamazov" and "Le Baruffe Chiozotte." During his summer hiatus, Visnjic completed the independent film "The Deep End" opposite Tilda Swinton. He can also be seen in Miramax's "Committed" with Heather Graham, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. His other film credits include "Practical Magic," in which he starred alongside Nicole Kidman, and "The Peacemaker" also with Kidman as well as former "ER" star George Clooney. He has starred in three Croatian feature films, and made his American motion picture debut in the critically acclaimed drama, "Welcome to Sarajevo." In his leisure time, Visnjic enjoys fencing, swimming and diving. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Ivana, and his birthday is September 9. |