Mark Alan Ruffalo, born on November 22, 1967, is a United States actor, producer, director, and activist. He commenced his acting career with minor theater roles in the late 1980s and initially drew attention for his performances in Kenneth Lonergan’s play This Is Our Youth (1996) and the movie You Can Count on Me (2000).
Subsequently, he featured in romantic comedies such as 13 Going on 30 (2004) and Just Like Heaven (2005), along with thrillers like In the Cut (2003), Zodiac (2007), and Shutter Island (2010). Ruffalo gained global recognition for portraying Bruce Banner, also referred to as the Hulk, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with The Avengers (2012). He has received four nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in The Kids Are All Right (2010), Foxcatcher (2014), Spotlight (2015), and Poor Things (2023). He secured a Screen Actors Guild Award for The Normal Heart (2015) and a Primetime Emmy Award for I Know This Much Is True (2020). As of February 2026, at 58 years of age, Ruffalo remains engaged in acting, producing, and advocating for environmental, civil rights, and historical preservation efforts.
Biography Update
Mark Ruffalo originated in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Marie Rose (Hébert), a hair stylist, and Frank Lawrence Ruffalo Jr., a construction painter. His father’s ancestry is Italian, hailing from Girifalco, Calabria, while his mother has French Canadian and Italian lineage. Ruffalo has two sisters, Tanya Marie (who sadly passed away in 2023) and Nicole, alongside a brother, Scott, who died in 2008. During his upbringing, his family practiced Christianity, Catholicism, and the Baháʼí faith, which offered him diverse perspectives from an early age.
Ruffalo attended both Catholic and liberal schools. During his childhood and adolescence, he faced challenges due to undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD. He spent his teenage years in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he participated in wrestling during junior high and high school. Following his graduation from First Colonial High School in 1986, he acted at the Patriot Playhouse. Later, his family relocated to San Diego and subsequently to Los Angeles. There, he studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory and co-founded the Orpheus Theatre Company. He wrote, directed, and acted in several theater productions while working as a bartender for nearly a decade.
Ruffalo’s significant breakthrough occurred with You Can Count on Me (2000), which garnered him acclaim. He received a Tony Award nomination for Awake and Sing! (2006) and became recognized globally as Bruce Banner, or the Hulk, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starting with The Avengers (2012). He has accrued four Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor for The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher, Spotlight, and Poor Things. He also won an Emmy for I Know This Much Is True (2020) and a SAG Award for The Normal Heart (2015).
In 2001, Ruffalo was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor known as a vestibular schwannoma, or acoustic neuroma. The surgery resulted in partial facial paralysis and left him deaf in his left ear, although the paralysis improved after a year. In 2008, his brother Scott was murdered in Beverly Hills, and the case remains unresolved. Ruffalo and his family reside in Sullivan County, New York, in the Catskills, while also maintaining residences in New York City.
Ruffalo is widely recognized for his activism. He champions environmental issues such as anti-fracking and opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline, alongside civil rights, pro-choice policies, and historic preservation, including the campaign for West Park Presbyterian Church from 2023 to 2025. He endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016 and 2020, Kamala Harris in 2024, and actively supported ceasefire initiatives in Gaza from 2023 to 2025. In 2026, he continues to advocate for political and social matters while managing his acting career and family responsibilities.
Age
Mark Ruffalo was born on November 22, 1967. He is 58 years old as of February 2026.
Wife
Mark Ruffalo wed Sunrise Coigney in 2000 after they met in Los Angeles. They have been together for over 25 years. Sunrise generally stays away from the limelight but has been supportive of Ruffalo throughout his career and during his health struggles, including his brain tumor surgery in 2001. They primarily reside in Sullivan County, New York, but also spend time in New York City and Maine.
Height
Mark Ruffalo stands 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. His stature has never hindered him from portraying strong, emotional, and physically compelling characters on screen.
Movies and TV Shows
Mark Ruffalo has featured in numerous films and television series. Below are some of his most significant works:
| 2000 | You Can Count on Me | Terry Prescott | Breakthrough role |
| 2004 | 13 Going on 30 | Matt Flamhaff | Romantic comedy |
| 2005 | Just like Heaven | David Abbott | Romantic fantasy |
| 2007 | Zodiac | Dave Toschi | David Fincher thriller |
| 2010 | Shutter Island | Chuck Aule | Martin Scorsese film |
| 2010 | The Kids Are All Right | Paul | Oscar nomination |
| 2012 | The Avengers | Bruce Banner / Hulk | Marvel Cinematic Universe debut |
| 2014 | Foxcatcher | Dave Schultz | Oscar nomination |
| 2015 | Spotlight | Michael Rezendes | Oscar nomination; Best Picture winner |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame | Bruce Banner / Hulk | MCU finale |
| 2020 | I Know This Much Is True | Dominick / Thomas Birdsey | Emmy win for Lead Actor |
| 2023 | Poor Things | Duncan Wedderburn | Oscar nomination |
| 2024 | Only Murders in the Building (S4) | Guest role | Hulu series |
Other notable films comprise Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), The Normal Heart (2014), and Dark Waters (2019).
Net Worth
As of 2026, Mark Ruffalo’s net worth is estimated to be between $35 and $40 million. He generates his wealth from various avenues:
- Acting income (particularly from Marvel films and prestigious dramas).
- Producing roles.
- Endorsement deals and public appearances.
- Real estate investments (New York and Catskills properties).
- Royalties from streaming and syndication.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Mark Alan Ruffalo |
| Date of Birth | November 22, 1967 |
| Age (Feb 2026) | 58 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Wife | Sunrise Coigney (married 2000–present) |
| Children | 3 (two daughters, one son) |
| Key Roles | Bruce Banner/Hulk (MCU), Spotlight, Foxcatcher, Poor Things, I Know This Much Is True |
| Major Awards | Emmy (I Know This Much Is True), SAG (The Normal Heart), 4 Oscar nominations |
| Recent Activity | Activism (environment, civil rights, historic preservation), ongoing acting and producing |
| Net Worth (2026) | $35–40 million |
