Let's make this birthday one to remember.

51 years old (Born on September 09, 1972)

Croatian, Actor; He is famous from Dr. Luka Kovac on E.R..

When word came through that he had been accepted in the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb, his brother volunteered to take his place in the Army so he could study his craft. Named as the Best Croatian actor in 2004 according to the votes of the visitors of internet magazines. Is married to a Croatian sculptor named Ivana, daughter of film director Antun Vrdoljak. Has a large scar on his stomach from gastric ulcer surgery. Croatian citizen.

Last name is pronounced `VISH-nyich`(Viu0161njić)

Named "One of TV`s Sexiest Men" in June 5-11 2005 TV Guide.

In a full-page article entitled, "Goran Visnjic Dr. Do Good" in the February 2005 issue of In Style magazine, he announced his support for, and collaboration with, the IFAW`s (International Fund for Animal Welfare) efforts to save wildlife and the environment, by becoming a spokesperson for that organization`s efforts to protect whales and fur bearing seals.

Adopted a baby boy born 19 April 2007 in Los Angeles, California. They have named him Tin Visnjic.

Hobbies are fencing, swimming, and diving.

Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world [2000]

The youngest actor to be chosen for the coveted title role in Shakespeare`s Hamlet, he portrayed the doomed Prince for 6 years from 1993 to 2000, at the internationally acclaimed Dubrovnik Summer Theatre Festival in Croatia, winning several coveted Orlando Awards (the equivalent of the Tony Award). During an episode of "ER," "Luka" demonstrated his expertise in the part of Hamlet, by reciting the, "To be or not to be," soliloquy in Croatian. In the same episode, demonstrated his skill in one of his hobbies, by "Luka" fencing with "Carter."

On June 19, 2005 he received Croatia`s highest cultural honor, the Vladimir Nazor award for "Best Realization of a Theatrical Performance - Film" for his performance in the Pula Film Festival award-winning film, Duga mracna noc (2004). Each year the "Vladimir Nazor" is awarded to the nation`s top artists in the areas of: literature, music, painting and sculpture, theater, film and architecture. The awards ceremony took place at the Dverce Palace in Zagreb where the Minister of Culture handed out the awards.

Last name is pronounced 'VISH-nyich'

Daughter, Lana Lourdes Visnjic-Rupic, born March 2007. Mother is Mirela Rupic. Goran admitted paternity in November 2007.

Graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. Dated actress Lucija Serbedzija (daughter of Rade Serbedzija) for four years while they were there.

His last name was derived of both Croatian and Serbian word "visnja", which means cherry. Therefore Visnjic means "of the cherry".

Wind surfs and practices kung fu.

Trained as a paratrooper in the Croatian army at age 18, and volunteered to stay on for an additional three months during the war with Serbia.

Shares birthday with writer Leo Tolstoy, Italian writer Cesare Pavese, French officer Alfred Dreyfus, singer Michael Bublu00e9, actors Michelle Williams, Adam Sandler and Hugh Grant.

Father was a bus driver; mother worked in a food market.

Trained at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb.

Visnjic is common Serbian surname (i.e. famous Serbian popular poet of Serbian epic poetry from 19th century was Filip Visnjic).

The younger of two sons.

Ranked #1 in Croatian Internet IskonPortal Magazine's "Top 10 Sexiest Croatian Movie Stars of 2005" list. (January, 2005)

Daughter, Lana Lourdes Visnjic-Rupic, born March 21, 2007. Mother is Mirela Rupic. Goran admitted paternity in November 2007.

May 26, 2002 - Donated 1000 pounds in prize money that he won on a Croatian quiz show, giving it to the country`s theatres. At the time, he had never been on a TV quiz show.

Named as the Best Croatian actor in 2004 (for role in the movie _"Duga mracna noc" (2004)_) according to the votes of the famous Croatian newspaper "Vecernji list".

At age 18, he trained during peacetime for basic crowd control and as a paratrooper in the Yugoslavian People`s Army (YNA). He ended up fighting in Slovenia, which proclaimed independence, when the YNA was ordered to attack this now former republic within the federation Yugoslavia. When Goran`s tour of duty was done (by the time of his return, Croatia had declared their independence), the Serbian fraction of the YNA was already fighting the Croatian fraction in a civil war. He volunteered to join the new Croatian Army, breaking his own promise to himself never to pick up a gun again.

Appeared in an anti-fur billboard campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals with his dog, Bugsy, beginning in January 2003. The ads read: "If you wouldn`t wear your dog, please don`t wear any fur." The campaign was PETA`s first in eastern Europe.

Appeared in Madonna`s 1998 music video, "The Power of Goodbye."

Is a huge fan of the show, "Stargate SG-1"

Ranked #18 in Croatian-based monthly film magazine "Hollywood" in u00abBest Croatian Male Movie Stars of All Timeu00bb list. (November 2005)

Named People magazine`s Sexiest Import (1999)

Visnjic is common Serbian surname (e.g. famous Serbian popular poet of Serbian epic poetry from 19th century was Filip Visnjic).