at the Belasco Theatre in New York, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. Though the actor had been set to star in Noah Baumbach's Greenberg at the time, he decided to drop out of the indie flick to grieve (he was replaced by Ben Stiller). Mark had a CAT scan after which he received the devastating diagnosis of that he had acoustic neuroma, a form of brain cancer. Thankfully, it started beating again, but despite the removal of the benign growth, his battle was just beginning. 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). However, he did permanently lose his ability to hear in his left ear. He received a Tony Award nomination for his supporting role in the Broadway revival of Awake and Sing! Speaking about a difficult time in his life, Mark told Parade: "For a long time, I felt like someone had it in for me. In 2009, he played a brief role in the film Where the Wild Things Are as Max's mother's boyfriend. The Avengers star hid this all away from the public. Ruffalo had a difficult time accepting the fact that he was unable to work. "I was working on a movie when I had a dream that I had a brain tumor, and it was like no other dream that I'd ever had. Immediately after surgery, Ruffalo was told by his father that his heart stopped during surgery. During the time of his diagnosis, hewas working on the 2001 filmThe Last Castle, starring Robert Redford and James Gandolfini. It appeared to fans as if Ruffalo simply disappeared into thin air. 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). Eventually, word got out about Ruffalo's diagnosis and subsequent surgery, putting those rumors to rest. The paralysis eased up after a year but to his day, he's still deaf in his left ear. It's not a great time to say 'I knew it,' but" he said, trailing off. What is it? Though Ruffalo continued working on his film, he remained retired from acting until he read the script for The Kids Are All Right. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb, Looking back, he now says that turning bad luck into good and seeing the best in things has become a recurring theme in his life. The "Crazy" Way Mark Ruffalo Discovered He Had a Brain Tumor, John Lamparski/WireImage via Getty Images, Maria Menounos Says This Was the First Symptom of Her Brain Tumor, Wayne Osmond Says This Was His First Sign of a Brain Tumor, Two-Time Cancer Survivor Kathy Bates Warns Others Never to Do This. This wasn't the last time that Mark Ruffalo would find himself under investigation by the authorities, according to some severely misinformed news outlets, at least. Ruffalo said: I was praying and sort of bargaining with God I was like hey man, please um you know don't take my face and don't take my life because without my face I can't really support my family and without my life definitely can't support my family.. "I didn't want any visitors," he later recalled. Here's what really happened. Mark Ruffalo health: Star was diagnosed with acoustic neuroma which is brain cancer (Image: Getty Images) Even after the tumour was removed, the resulting paralysis of the left side of. Unperturbed, Ruffalo told GQ (via Fox News) that he found the rumor funny, but that didn't stop different outlets from running stories about his supposed terrorist ties. Mark had actually dreamt about his life-threatening condition before being diagnosed with it. Nick Fury actor Samuel Jackson called him a "cuddly little bear" and revealed that "everyone loves hugging on Mark" on the set of the Marvel movies, but, believe it or not, he was once a very angry young man. ", "Conspiracy Theories About Zika Spread Through Brazil With the Virus", "Dear President Obama: The Clean Energy Revolution is Now", "Mark Ruffalo seeks help in stopping MSNBC's white conservative hiring spree", "Mark Ruffalo in hulk rage at NBC, pushes petition to end 'white conservative hiring', "Election 2017: The surprising and not-so surprising ways celebrities will be casting their ballots today", "Who are celebrities voting for in 2017 General Election? "Like, 'Okay, he had a motorcycle accident and he's paralyzed on the left side of his face.'" His part in This Is Our Youth opened doors for him in TV and film. However, he beat the odds and after six months of paralysis, Mark was able to make very slight movements, signalling the beginning of a recovery that would still take several more months. A few years later, his brother Scott would be shot dead in a case that remains unsolved to this day. Actor Mark Ruffalo, known for his role as Bruce Banner / Hulk, had a brain tumor in 2001. He was all set to begin working on M. Night Shyamalan's Signs (2002) when he had the premonition, and he went to the production's doctor for advice. In 2010, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Pennsylvania's Office of Homeland Security had placed the Oscar-nominated actor on the terror watch list after he publicly discussed his concerns over natural gas drilling in the United States (via CBS). Since then, he's received three Oscar nominations for his performances in The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher, and Spotlight. 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. According to theLos Angeles Times, on Dec. 8, 2008, Mark's brother, Scott, died a week after he was shot in the head in his own home. 2022 Galvanized Media. However, he was also told by the hospital staff that overall the surgery went well and that they preserved his nerve and removed the tumour. For more health news sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. [11], Ruffalo had minor roles in films including The Dentist (1996), the low-key crime comedy Safe Men (1998), and Ang Lee's Civil War western Ride with the Devil (1999). "When these things happen, you sort of remember your religion a little bit," he told the ANA. [33] The Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Homeland Security denied the claim. [27] He says he has had an outpouring of support for his performance: I've never had so sincere and vulnerable a response from people for anything that I've ever done. Also in 2014, Ruffalo received his second Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of wrestler Dave Schultz in the biographical drama Foxcatcher. While Ruffalo may never "cure" his depression, he is finding ways to make the most of his life as best he can. By the tenth month his face started to back, which he was surprised about because it had been so long. The brain tumor Mark was diagnosed with was found to be benign. "Your priorities become very clear. As a result of the tumour, he briefly suffered a period of partial facial paralysis. He also would walk for miles each day. While he was still in school, friends would talk about their . [10], Ruffalo played 'Vinnie Webber', a minor character in Series 1 Episode 9 of Due South, first broadcast in Canada in 1994. Of course, Ruffalo was right. On top of everything he witnessed while living in MacArthur Park with his brother, he also had to deal with the loss of his best friend, who took his own life In 1994. "My work started to change, my luck started to change. According to Ruffalo, he gained 40 pounds following his operation. In fact, he made his directorial debut withSympathy for Delicious, a film about a paralyzed DJ who enters into faith-healing. "Somehow this story came out about my being on this terrorist list," he told the newspaper. The actor says that while he experienced no notable symptoms after being diagnosed, he was advised to get surgery quickly as the tumor was resting on a facial nerve. Award-winning actor Mark Ruffalo was born on November 22, 1967, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, of humble means to father Frank Lawrence Ruffalo, a construction painter and Marie Rose (Hebert), a stylist and hairdresser; his father's ancestry is Italian and his mother is of half French-Canadian and half Italian descent. "[31] On October 4, 2010, Ruffalo appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show to discuss hydraulic fracturing and the FRAC Act of 2009. Years later, she called Ruffalo and said she wrote a script and had him in mind for the part. He began acting in the early 1990s and rose to prominence after appearing in Kenneth Lonergan's play This Is Our Youth and the drama film You Can Count On Me. After a while, Frank Ruffalo's painting business went under, prompting the family to move to Virginia Beach, Virginia, when Mark was 13. The way the world looked to me changed.". Cookies help us deliver our Services. Therapists say it can damage your connection. Actor: Spotlight. [32] He claimed in the December 2010 issue of GQ that after he organized screenings in Pennsylvania of a documentary about natural-gas-drilling called Gasland, he was placed on a terror advisory list. He also learned that while the surgery had been a success, it had not been without obstacles. 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. When he sat down for an interview with Men's Journal, the former C student told them that he believes he suffered from undiagnosed dyslexia for years, but he dug in and finished high school anyway. Mark Ruffalo has come a long way since 1990 when he made his stage acting debut. "It was so startlingthe impression from the dream was that it had to be dealt with immediately," he said. The Rumor Has It actor had to turn down the role of Merril Hess in the 2002 sci-fi thriller, Signs starring Mel Gibson. Updated on April 21, 2022: These days, Mark Ruffalo is doing much better. "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. } else { In 2001, Mark Ruffalo grabbed the attention of the on-set doctor for a film he was working on. Just as Ruffalo's career was starting to pick up, he was forced to withdraw from acting due to some scary health issues and their lingering effects. He had been the angriest man in the world, and he had such a calm demeanor. Large tumours may lead to a complication called hydrocephalus. Looking back, Ruffalo is grateful for and haunted by the dream that saved his life. In fact, given everything he's been through, it's a wonder that he isn't a total jerk. You get calloused, a little bit harder maybe, so be on guard for that. He said that it also "became a blessing in disguise, as time progressed." "Dying was my biggest fear.". Self deprecation is the most lethal weapon in any ladykiller's arsenal. [1][2] He has two sisters, Tania and Nicole, and a brother, Scott (died 2008). He told her about the tumor a few weeks after their son Keen, who is now in his early twenties, was born. . The pair went through some of their toughest times together, forging a bond that went beyond blood. Since then, he's received three Oscar nominations for his performances in The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher, and Spotlight. His three siblings ( Scott Ruffalo, Tania, and Nicole) are all hairdressers. This sounds sappy, but I was always aware of the frailty of human beings, the sorrow in the nature of things. After having a dream that he had developed a brain tumor, Ruffalo became concerned and decided to consult a doctor. MBC A retelling of his life in He failed several times in the audition and went through tremendous suffering such as being judged for a brain tumor, facial paralysis, and deafness. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The unfortunate diagnosis didn't only correspond with the birth of his son Ruffalo was also reaching new heights in his career. Mark became extremely concerned with his life due to the eery dream and decided to consult a doctor. Though the tumor was benign, the surgery resulted in partial facial paralysis. Because his wife was expecting their first child at the time of his diagnosis, he initially kept the news to himself, but several weeks after the birth of his son Keen, he underwent surgery to remove the tumor. "It was big-time," he told Men's Journal. He was raised alongside two sisters and a brother by working-class parents of Italian and French-Canadian descent. In December 2008, Ruffalo's younger brother and former roommate Scott was murdered. With every new adversity, I protested almost to God 'How much more of this do I have to take?'". While Ruffalo's tumor operation was a success, the effect of the tumor still left its mark on him. Coping with the paralysis proved difficult enough, but the road to recovery posed new challenges. When talking about his childhood struggles, the Ruffalo family's financial situation isn't the only thing that made life harder for young Mark. Father was a construction painter and mother a hairstylist. However, several weeks after the birth of his son and with the news of his diagnosis weighing heavy on his heart, Mark opened up to his wife and underwent surgery. And she said, 'you are crazy, but you shouldn't have to live with that fear, so I'll order you an MRIor CAT scantomorrow.'". He is also a staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and supports the pro-choice movements. He moved into a $600-a-month apartment with two friends and his kid brother Scott. He might be able to pull off playing a scientific genius in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Ruffalo didn't exactly shine academically as a child. It's not accurate, it's inflammatory, disrespectful & is being used to justify antisemitism here & abroad. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { [52], On December 1, 2008, Ruffalo's younger brother, Scott, was found outside his home on North Palm Drive in Beverly Hills with an execution-style bullet wound to the head. In 1994, Mark's best friend died by suicide. Not so lucky for the gangbanger, however the cop pulled his own gun and shot him dead on the spot. [1] His father is of Italian descent, from Girifalco[3] and his mother is of French Canadian and Italian ancestry. "I was certain I was going to die," he revealed. "I was scheming things for my character," he admitted. There, Frank started a new business called Soda Butler, a business reminiscent of the modern Soda Stream. Mark also supports the group 'Water Defense' which undertakes clean water programs. When paramedics arrived at the 39-year-old. However, in the year 2000just as his career was taking offthe actor suffered a setback that could easily have thwarted the many achievements that lay ahead. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { After filming the 2001 action drama The Last Castle starring Robert Redford, Ruffalo was diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma or acoustic neuroma. Just saying, 'Hey, this is who I am.'" Following the successful operation, the actor was still left with challenges such as complete paralysis of the left side of his face and loss of hearing in his left ear. "My father told me that my heart had stopped briefly on the operating table," he explained. He moved with his family to San Diego, California and later to Los Angeles, where he took classes at the Stella Adler Conservatory and co-founded the Orpheus Theatre Company. "Mark Ruffalo and his family deeply appreciate the outpouring of prayers and support during this most difficult time of the passing of Scott Ruffalo, beloved son, brother and husband," they said in a statement, though they failed to comment on the strange circumstances surrounding his passing. From here on out, do the best you can to make it count.". Down on their luck again, the whole Ruffalo family moved out west to San Diego, where Frank thought he could find work. While the actor described this side effect as somewhat comical, he also explained that it limited his ability to help take care of his children. Scott Ruffalo's murder remains unsolved. The 'Crazy' Way Mark Ruffalo Discovered He Had a Brain Tumor Whether you know Mark Ruffalo as the king of rom coms, the Hulk in the Marvel movie franchise, or as an Oscar-courting dramatic. Even after he got his first paid acting gig (a 1989 Clearasil commercial that really hasn't aged well), he couldn't afford to move out of the Los Angeles' MacArthur Park, an area notorious for being overrun with drug dealers and dangerous addicts. "The shooting was a result of the victim's chronic playing of Russian Roulette and his dangerous playing with firearms while under the use of controlled substances," Adham's lawyer told the New York Daily News. He also had poor reflexes and had difficulty processing simple concepts like tying a knot.
Quebec City To Prince Edward Island,
Ex Police Cocker Spaniels Scotland,
Articles M