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. He was cast as the male lead for Lonergan's directorial debut in 2000, You Can Count on Me. In an interview with New York Magazine, Ruffalo detailed his struggles after graduating high school. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Understandably, his death affected Mark deeply. 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). In December 2008, Ruffalo's younger brother and former roommate Scott was murdered. After a year, the paralysis receded, but Ruffalo's left ear remains deaf. The Avengers star hid this all away from the public. He also learned that while the surgery had been a success, it had not been without obstacles. "They told me the surgery went well, they got all the tumor, they preserved my nerve but I just heard a ringing in my left ear.". The actor told the music mag that despite "all the crazy s*** going on in the world," practicing meditation gave him an "enormous amount of hope" that everything was going to be okay. Despite the harrowing nature of his health scare, Ruffalo still manages to find the silver lining. The pair went through some of their toughest times together, forging a bond that went beyond blood. Mark Ruffalo hasdealt with depression since he was a child. After reaching a point where he was struggling to sleep because his brain wouldn't "shut off" at night, an old friend recommended that he try meditation, and it changed his life. in 2006. This apparently made him a threat to security, which he found "pretty f***ing funny" at first. The two bonded over mutual interests, experiences, and views in life. Outside his acting career, Ruffalo has spoken out onhumanitarianandenvironmentalissues, among others. "[40][41] In October, Ruffalo actively supported the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline project. As the story gained traction, however, he was forced to start taking it seriously, setting the record straight when he sat down with The Telegraph. His three siblings ( Scott Ruffalo, Tania, and Nicole) are all hairdressers. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. Friendships usually form based on common beliefs, interests, or experiences, and Mark and Michael were no different. However, just when he was about to make a name in Hollywood, he was forced to take a break that nearly hampered his career. In 2014, Ruffalo starred as Ned Weeks in a television adaptation of Larry Kramer's AIDS-era play, The Normal Heart; his performance earned him an Emmy nomination. Bonus: You'll also be a much, much healthier man. Ruffalo was informed that he had a mass the size of a golf ball behind his left ear (known as an acoustic neuroma) and would need surgery to have it removed as soon as possible. In 2006, the brother of Sean Penn was found dead at his Santa Monica condo, with a suspected overdose the cause. The future star's neighbor was stabbed 12 times on Ruffalo's front porch after attempting to stop some local kids from stealing a car, and the violence even followed him to work. Gia Marcos is a writer based in Manila, Philippines. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); His father, Frank, owned a construction painting business that he inherited from his father while his mother, Maria, worked as a hairstylist. I was struggling as a young actor, suffering through imagined or real slights from other people's hands. The way the world looked to me changed.". When talking about his childhood struggles, the Ruffalo family's financial situation isn't the only thing that made life harder for young Mark. [33] The Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Homeland Security denied the claim. Ruffalo had excelled as a wrestler in school, but, despite being told that he had a shot at a scholarship, he decided to pursue a career as an actor instead. 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. Unfortunately, Frank was only able to find temporary employment, and the family's financial situation spiraled into bankruptcy. The Ruffalo family lived here for a number of years before Soda Butler also went out of business. He has long since healed from his surgery, and while he still suffers from depression it really is a lifelong battle he seems to be managing his illness better than before. Immediately after surgery, Ruffalo was told by his father that his heart stopped during surgery. Mark became extremely concerned with his life due to the eery dream and decided to consult a doctor. Loss of hearing in his left ear and one side of his face becoming completely paralysed still affects him today. [53][54] Scott was taken to a hospital, but died the following week. "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. A nightmare told him he had a tumorand doctors discovered it was true. Ruffalo fired his agent and publicist, left his apartment in L.A., and moved to a secluded home in upstate New York with his wife and three children. [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). 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). In fact, according to Ruffalo, some outlets picked up the story and paired it with news of Scott Ruffalo's unsolved murder to create a more compelling story. "The moment he left, I realized that death wasn't an escape, that suicide wasn't an answer." He was rushed to hospital and managed to hang onto life for a week, but, when it became clear that he wasn't going to recover, his life support was switched off, devastating his family. Young women, totally strung out, sores all over their face, would knock on our door asking for money or food. Her work on TheThings reflects her sociological interest in the reality behind hit movies & TV shows, celebrity lifestyle, and reality TV drama. 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. [61] Ruffalo expressed views in line with the 9/11 truth movement when he stated: "I'm baffled by the way all three buildings came down. But anaesthesia wasnt the only thing Ruffalo was worried about. [16][30], In 2008, Ruffalo expressed concern that gas companies were eyeing his family's land in Callicoon, New York. It was a difficult tim, and he has said he was "just about ready to jump off a bridge. "He didn't tell anyone for weeks," his motherrecalled. It's not a great time to say 'I knew it,' but" he said, trailing off. I had never seen a human being change that much." Ruffalo made his acting debut in an episode of CBS Summer Playhouse. Ruffalo feared that the surgery had ruined his acting ability, but, fortunately, the best was yet to come. Next: Mark Ruffalo Almost Passed On His Iconic '13 Going On 30' Role. Ruffalo and his family call the . He didn't know where he was headed in life. Mark Ruffalo. Large tumours may lead to a complication called hydrocephalus. Whether he's picking up stranded hitchhikers, inviting fans to join him on the sets of his movies, or campaigning for the numerous charities he's involved with, the Wisconsin native is as humble a movie star as you're likely to meet, but life hasn't always been as kind to him as he is to others. scientific studies and medical journals. 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". [60], Ruffalo was interviewed by "We Are Change" at an anti-war rally in 2007. Having recovered from partial facial paralysis caused by a benign brain tumor in 2002, and still affected by the death of his brother, Scott, in a shooting in late 2008, Mr. Ruffalo is more. Mark Alan Ruffalo was born on November 22, 1967, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Whatever the truth, I was damaged goods. According to the NHS, the other symptoms of an large acoustic neuroma may be: As well as brain surgery, the other treatment options include monitoring the tumour if it is small. "It wasn't until theWashington Times finally nailed the story that it went away." In an interview with Men's Journal, Mark Ruffalo described his childhood and experiences as a young man. "My friends have a term, getting 'Ruffaloed,'" he told In New York. Performance & security by Cloudflare. "When I woke up I was so sickand I was not dead, so that was goodbut I was so sick I almost wished I was." During the time of his diagnosis, hewas working on the 2001 filmThe Last Castle, starring Robert Redford and James Gandolfini. Ruffalo was ultimately diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a non-cancerous tumor which can develop in the main nerve between the inner ear and brain. "I was so unbelievably miserable, and what was worse was people's reactions to seeing me. . Overcoming anger is essentially what playing the Hulk is all about, and, because of that, Mark Ruffalo wouldn't appear to be a natural fit for the part. I mean, no one is going to hire an actor with half a paralyzed face." Mark decided to keep the devastating news to himself as his wife was expecting their first child at the time. "The chances of the nerves coming back diminish each month and month seven was pretty much the cut-off point. He knew it sounded very strange, but he followed his gut and was right. Here's a look back at Mark Ruffalo's tragic real-life story. Not for the first time in his career, losing a role because of a tragedy turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as when Ruffalo returned to the fold he gained Academy recognition and a part in what would become the highest-grossing Hollywood franchise of all time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, all within the space of a few years. 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. According to a toxicology report obtained by Access Hollywood (via People), the 40-year-old had Valium, morphine, codeine and marijuana in his system when he passed, but the actual cause of death was complications arising from an enlarged heart, the coroner confirmed. He finally got the break he needed and was cast in a variety of films that made him become a recognised face. [56], Ruffalo and his family live in Sullivan County, New York, describing the Catskill Mountains as his "home". [43], In October 2020, speaking to Mehdi Hasan, Ruffalo condemned what he called Israel's "asymmetrical warfare" against the Palestinians, stating, "There is no reason that an ally of America should not be held to the same standards as any other nation in the world." [22] He has been noted for spoiling the endings of Avengers: Infinity War a year ahead of theatrical release,[20][21] as well as Avengers: Endgame a few weeks ahead of release. It's like a low-grade depression that just is running all the time in the background.". In an interview with New York Magazine, Ruffalo detailed his struggles after graduating high school. 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. While he was still in school, friends would talk about their future goals and parents would ask Mark about his plans following graduation. 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. It led to speculations that he was battling alcoholism, drug addiction, or AIDS. Its like a low-grade depression that just is running all the time in the background.". [37], In June 2017, Ruffalo posted a petition on Twitter urging NBC to stop hiring white conservative commentators. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. Its symptoms include hearing loss affecting only one ear, hearing loss from inside the body, known as tinnitus, and vertigo, according to the NHS. Around 2000, Ruffalo was diagnosed with a brain tumor known as an acoustic neuroma. "And everything changed. He had been the angriest man in the world, and he had such a calm demeanor. However, she played no role whatsoever in his accidental death." He begged God not to take away the one thing that he used to support his family, but, at that stage, it looked as though his face might never recover, essentially bringing his career as an actor to an end just as it was really getting started. Scott Ruffalo's murder remains unsolved. 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. 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). Mark Ruffalo is an actor from the United States. MCU star and Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo might seem, from the outside, like he has the perfect life, but in truth he's been struggling for a long time. Terrorist Advisory List. "You always wonder, 'What could I have done differently?'" "I was praying and bargaining with God I said, 'please, don't take my face and don't take my life because without my face I can't really support my family, and with my life I definitely can't support my family." 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. When she's not writing, she's probably immersed in reading or keeping up with the latest films on Mubi. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. RELATED:Two-Time Cancer Survivor Kathy Bates Warns Others Never to Do This. Her personal work revolves around philosophy and eroticism. "When he died, it rocked me out of a dark depression," he recalled. In 2009, he played a brief role in the film Where the Wild Things Are as Max's mother's boyfriend. [1] His father is of Italian descent, from Girifalco[3] and his mother is of French Canadian and Italian ancestry. Everything was going to be okay for him, but he still had a whole lot of tragedy to get through before he reached that point in his life. "Branches of this nerve directly influence your balance and hearing, and pressure from an acoustic neuroma can cause hearing loss, ringing in your ear and unsteadiness. One evening, a gang member entered and pulled a gun, though, luckily for Ruffalo and his colleagues, the guy working the door at the time was an off-duty police officer. Ruffalo cited VoteRiders as a source of assistance for voter ID requirements across the United States .[71][72]. 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. After a CAT scan, he received a diagnosis of acoustic neroma. 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). [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. Police arrested Adham but eventually released her, and no charges were filed. The tumor was found to be benign; however, the surgery to remove the mass resulted in partial facial paralysis and affected his hearing. 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. The paralysis eased up after a year but to his day, he's still deaf in his left ear. The paralysis subsided after a year, but Mark remains deaf in his left ear. And I thought, 'yep.' "Drugs, alcoholism, Aids.

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