Join Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman in a captivating episode of "SmartLess" as they sit down with the multifaceted actor and activist, Mark Ruffalo. In this intimate conversation, Ruffalo shares a treasure trove of anecdotes, ranging from his early acting days with Ken Marino, facing a challenging yet transformative career setback, to the persistence that landed him a pivotal role in "You Can Count On Me." Ruffalo's journey of determination and the hard lessons learned through rejection and resilience provide a rich backdrop, reminding us that the path to success is often riddled with unexpected turns.
Dive deep as Ruffalo opens up about more than just his professional life; he recounts the surreal experience of dreaming about his brain tumor diagnosis just before his wife's delivery, a testament to the enigmatic nature of life's trials. Ruffalo's dedication to his craft shines through as he discusses the intense process of playing twins in "I Know This Much Is True," and his innovative approach to mastering The Hulk's lines in Marvel's cinematic universe. Beyond the screen, Ruffalo's evolution from federal environmental advocacy to fostering change at the state level, and leveraging film to impact social issues, showcases his genuine commitment to activism. "SmartLess" delivers an episode that is as enlightening as it is entertaining, detailing how Mark Ruffalo's artistry and advocacy intertwine.
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Mark Ruffalo looks back at his early acting days, recalling collaborative efforts with Ken Marino where they played brothers on stage. The partnership and the failed TV pilots they did, including one with Sean Astin, reflect a time of professional growth and personal friendship for Ruffalo.
Ruffalo experienced a humbling moment when he got fired for poor acting from a play just before its opening night. Ironically, the incident, which forced Ruffalo to confront his deficiencies, proved instrumental in teaching him vital acting lessons and pushing him to grow.
Mark Ruffalo's path to acting success was fraught with a decade of perseverance, working jobs like bartending, and facing rejection without agent representation. His relentless pursuit underlines the challenges faced by many actors before finding their big break, proving that determination can eventually lead to reward.
Ruffalo mysteriously dreamt of having a brain tumor, which, to his astonishment, turned out to be true. The brain tumor was discovered right before his wife's delivery, a revelation he initially kept from her to not disrupt her birth plan. This taxing personal ordeal likely offered Ruffalo profound insight into the importance of life.
Director Kenny Lonergan was initially against casting Ruffalo in "You Can Count On Me," but after Ruffalo's persistence to audition and a memorable performance, he got the part. This role became a defining moment in Ruffalo's acting career, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Ruffalo undertook the challenging roles of twins in "I Know This Much Is True," working with director Derek Cianfrance. He persuaded Cianfrance to direct, and their dedication to the characters involved shooting each brother's part separately. Ruffalo's method included an eight-week interval and weight gain to distinguish the twins, demonstrating the commitment to portraying each character authentically.
Ruffalo expresses that learning lines is arduous work for him. To overcome this, he utilizes the Scene Study app, recording his lines and listening on loop, often while walking, to facilitate a dynamic learning environment and more effectively embody The Hulk's character.
Initially focused on federal policy change, Ruffalo's push for environmental reforms on Capitol Hill met with partisan resistance and personal criticism. Shifting his efforts, Ruffalo found more success and fulfillment in state-level advocacy and believes in using film to powerfully communicate stories that can shift perspectives and enact social change.
1-Page Summary
Mark Ruffalo reflects on the early days of his career, mentioning a period of collaborative work with Ken Marino, including a play where they played brothers.
In recounting his experiences, Ruffalo looks back fondly on his time with Ken Marino which suggests a longstanding friendship between the two that predates their more established careers.
Ruffalo talks about working with Ken Marino and Sean Astin on a play early in his career where they played brothers. Beyon ...
Playing Brothers with Ken Marino
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An unexpected dismissal taught Mark Ruffalo a valuable lesson in his acting career.
Mark Ruffalo, now a celebrated actor, faced a humbling experience early in his career when he was fired just four days before the play he was part of alongside Holly Hunter was due to open. The director, Beth Henley, couldn't bring herself to deliver the news, so a stagehand had to inform Ruffalo of his termination.
Reflecting on the incident, Ruffalo admits that he was likely let go be ...
Getting Fired from LA Play with Holly Hunter
The journey to becoming a successful actor is often long and filled with challenges. Many actors spend years working menial jobs, facing rejection, and hoping for that one opportunity that will open the doors to a steady career in the industry.
One common story among actors is the struggle to find representation. For many, this can involve bartending or taking on other temporary work to sustain themselves. The pursuit of their passion often means juggling these jobs while attending auditions and trying to get noticed by an agent or a casting director. This phase can be particularly trying, as actors have to put their best foot forward in auditions without the backing or guidance of a representative.
It's not uncommon for actors to endure this cycle of hope and disappointment for a prolonged period. S ...
Long Struggle to Break Through as an Actor
In a shocking turn of events, actor Mark Ruffalo's surreal experience of a vivid dream prefacing a grave health condition becomes a reality.
Ruffalo recounts a dream he had with a deep sense of knowing, which he describes as "pure knowledge" rather than a voice telling him. This vivid dream was of having a brain tumor, surrounded by a sense of doom that followed him upon waking. Remarkably, this dream turned out to be a true premonition of his state of health as Ruffalo was indeed diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The timing of his diagnosis was uncanny as Ruffalo discovered he had a brain tumor the night before his wife Sunny was due to give birth. This intense discovery presented him with a challenging situation as he juggled the joy of impending fatherhood with the looming concern of his medical diagnosis.
In an act of profound consideration and to maintain a sense of normalcy for his wife at a crucial time, Ruffalo initially chose not to disclose his diagnosis to Sunny. She had a detailed birth plan arranged, which included the use of a hot tub and a ...
Brain Tumor Diagnosis
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Mark Ruffalo's journey to being cast in "You Can Count On Me" was not a straightforward one, overcoming initial resistance from the director to land the role that helped catapult his career.
Director Kenny Lonergan was initially resistant to casting Mark Ruffalo in "You Can Count On Me." Lonergan even expressed reluctance to considering Ruffalo for a part in the film.
However, Ruffalo was determined to get a chance and had to plead for the opportunity to audition. When he finally got the chance, Ruffalo made a unique impression; he auditioned with Lonergan holdin ...
Breakout in You Can Count On Me
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Mark Ruffalo faced one of his most challenging roles to date as he brought to life the twin brothers of Wally Lamb’s novel, "I Know This Much Is True," with director Derek Cianfrance's unique approach to storytelling.
Ruffalo was determined to see the novel adapted to the screen and believed that Derek Cianfrance was the perfect director for the project. Obtaining the book rights, Ruffalo was set on bringing Cianfrance on board.
Initially, Cianfrance was hesitant to join the project primarily due to the challenges of CGI required in creating twin characters. However, Ruffalo managed to win Cianfrance over by sharing his vision for the film during a convincing three-hour walk.
The production of the series treated the portrayal of the twin characters as if they were individual films. This unconventional method of filming allowed for the depth and distinctiveness of each brother's journey to be honored and depicted with care.
Mark Ruffalo described that, unlike in traditional movies featuring twins, the production didn’t just make small aesthetic changes like adding a mustache. Instead, ther ...
Playing Twins in I Know This Much Is True
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Actor Mark Ruffalo, known for his portrayal of The Hulk in Marvel's cinematic universe, shares his process for mastering his lines, which he finds to be quite laborious.
Mark Ruffalo finds learning lines to be a particularly tedious and slow process. It's a part of the job that he clearly sees as a drag, suggesting that the process of memorization is not something he enjoys.
To aid with memorization, Ruffalo turns to technology. He uses an application called Scene Study to record his lines so that he can listen to them over and over again. This repetition helps him to nail down the dialogue.
Ruffalo also adds his own kinesthetic twist to the learning p ...
Marvel's The Hulk
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Mark Ruffalo, an actor known for both his on-screen performances and off-screen activism, shares his journey from advocating on Capitol Hill to embracing the power of storytelling in film to effect change.
Initially, Ruffalo believed that meaningful change could be achieved through federal policy interventions. He used his platform to voice his opinions and even testified to the environmental committee on Capitol Hill, using his film "Dark Waters" as a springboard to discuss the impact of forever chemicals, like those from Teflon, on human health.
However, during his testimony, he observed a stark partisan divide, with a complete Democratic attendance versus sparse Republican presence. Ruffalo faced criticism from one member who suggested his motives were profit-driven and anti-corporation, which he countered by affirming the film was rigorously vetted and not produced for profit.
Following his disenchanting experience on Capitol Hill and upon receiving advice during a meeting in Harry Reid's office, Ruffalo acknowledged the inordinate influence of fossil fuel money in politics and the excessive fundraising occupying politicians' time. He was steered towards advocacy at the regional and state levels where he saw successful outcomes, such as the banning of fracking in New York ...
Activism and Policy Change
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