Goran Visnjic joined the cast of NBC’s "ER" in 1999, playing the role of Dr. Luka Kovac, a Croatian doctor who immigrated to the United States after the violent deaths of his wife and children.

Visnjic grew up in Sibenik, Croatia, a port town on the Adriatic Sea, where he decided at an early age that he wanted to be an actor. He first performed in local theater groups and then entered the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. He gained popularity in Croatia when, at the age of 21, he was cast as Hamlet in the prestigious Dubrovnik Summer Festival’s staging of Shakespeare’s play. The production received rave reviews, with Visnjic’s own performance earning him three national Best Actor awards, including an Orlando (the Croatian equivalent of a Tony).

Visnjic’s additional theater credits include "Les Fourberies de Scapin," "L’Ecole des Femmes," "Miss Julie," "Ivanov," "The Brothers Karamazov" and "Le Baruffe Chiozotte."

Visjinc starred in the critically acclaimed film "The Deep End" opposite Tilda Swinton. His other film credits include the voice of Soto in the animated film "Ice Age," "Committed" opposite Heather Graham, "Practical Magic" with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock and "The Peacemaker" with George Clooney. He was also seen in "Spartacus," in which Visnjic played the title role and in the psychological thriller "Close Your Eyes."

Visnjic made his American motion-picture debut in the critically acclaimed drama, "Welcome to Sarajevo," directed by Michel Winterbottom.

In his leisure time, Visnjic enjoys fencing, swimming and diving. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Ivana, and his birthday is September 9.