Mark Ruffalo Gets Personal

The extremely likeable Mark Ruffalo seems like he has the perfect life. A big movie star, nominated for multiple awards and he’s a triple threat in Hollywood. Not only can he act, but he also writes and directs his own stuff, as well. And that’s just the business side of things. Mark also has three kids and has been married to the same lady for 14 years now, it’s safe to say that he is living the dream. However, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a few nightmares thrown his way throughout the years.

In 2002, Mark was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to have surgery. The tumor was not cancerous, but it did result in a brief period of partial facial paralysis. Thankfully, he has since fully recovered from the event now. But there is one event that Mark just can’t seem to fully recover from. One event that he will never be able to get over, and that is his brother’s shocking murder that happened over four years ago. Scott Ruffalo was a well-known hairdresser in Beverly Hills when he was shot and killed in his home on December 1, 2008.

Scott was just 39-years-old at the time of the incident. The toxicology report did show cocaine and morphine in Scott’s system, but police made it clear that he died from a gunshot wound to his head. One of the main witnesses in the still unsolved case died of an overdose shortly after the incident, so the police really do not have a lot to work with. There is no way of knowing if any questions will ever be answered, but Mark doesn’t seem to wrapped up in that. He just wants his brother back…

Mark told Men’s Journal in an extremely personal interview,

“You never get over it; you just get used to it. You get calloused , a little bit harder maybe, so be on guard for that. But take these tragic things and turn them into something meaningful and worthy of the loss. Make it count.”

The 45-year-old actor even admitted that he sometimes takes on film roles just because the character reminds him of his brother. For example, his character in the award winning movie, “The Kids Are Alright.”  Mark said in the same interview,

“His charm, his spirit, his sense of humor, his daring. How great he was with women. How he sort of devoured life. I’m only capturing a tiny glimpse of him. But I think I ended up honoring him in a really nice way. He was a beautiful guy.”

Mark also admits that without his brother’s success and influence, he would not be the actor he is today,

“I was the actor pushing 30 and still doing 30-seat theaters, and he was the mayor of Beverley Hills. For years, people would meet me and go, ‘You’re Scotty Ruffalo’s brother? I love your brother. He’s f—king amazing.’”

You can read the entire interview (it’s worth it) by clicking here and visiting the Men’s Journal website.