Career Timeline of Mark Ruffalo: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Mark Ruffalo, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Mark Ruffalo is an American actor who started his career in the late 1980s. He initially gained recognition for his performances in "This Is Our Youth" and "You Can Count on Me." He then starred in popular romantic comedies like "13 Going on 30" and "Just Like Heaven," as well as thrillers such as "Zodiac" and "Shutter Island." He received a Tony Award nomination for his role in "Awake and Sing!" However, Ruffalo achieved global fame for his portrayal of Bruce Banner/The Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning in 2012.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1989: Screen Debut

In 1989, Mark Ruffalo made his screen debut in an episode of CBS Summer Playhouse.

1994: Role in Due South and Film Debut

In 1994, Mark Ruffalo played a minor character in 'Due South' and made his film debut in 'Mirror, Mirror II: Raven Dance'.

1995: Role in Mirror, Mirror III: The Voyeur

In 1995, Mark Ruffalo starred in the horror film 'Mirror, Mirror III: The Voyeur'.

1996: Recognition in 'This Is Our Youth'

In 1996, Mark Ruffalo gained initial recognition for his performance in Kenneth Lonergan's play, 'This Is Our Youth'.

1998: Role in Safe Men

In 1998, Mark Ruffalo had a minor role in the crime comedy 'Safe Men'.

1999: Role in Ride with the Devil

In 1999, Mark Ruffalo had a minor role in Ang Lee's Civil War western 'Ride with the Devil'.

2000: Recognition for 'You Can Count on Me'

In 2000, Mark Ruffalo gained recognition for his work in the drama film 'You Can Count on Me'.

2000: Reunion with Kenneth Lonergan

In 2000, Mark Ruffalo reunited with Kenneth Lonergan in the film 'You Can Count on Me'.

2001: Role in 'The Last Castle'

In 2001, Mark Ruffalo played a role in Rod Lurie's 'The Last Castle'.

2002: Role in 'XX/XY'

In 2002, Mark Ruffalo played a supporting role in the film 'XX/XY'.

2003: Romantic Lead in 'View from the Top'

In 2003, Mark Ruffalo appeared as a romantic lead in 'View from the Top' opposite Gwyneth Paltrow.

2003: Roles in 'Windtalkers' and 'In the Cut'

In 2003, Mark Ruffalo appeared in 'Windtalkers' and 'In the Cut'.

2003: Starring in 'In the Cut'

In 2003, Mark Ruffalo starred in the thriller 'In the Cut'.

2004: Role in 'We Don't Live Here Anymore'

In 2004, Mark Ruffalo played a supporting role in 'We Don't Live Here Anymore'.

2004: Starring in '13 Going on 30' and 'Eternal Sunshine'

In 2004, Mark Ruffalo starred in '13 Going on 30' and played a supporting role in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', and acted in 'Collateral'.

2004: Starring in '13 Going on 30'

In 2004, Mark Ruffalo starred in the romantic comedy '13 Going on 30'.

2005: Starring in 'Just Like Heaven' and 'Rumor Has It'

In 2005, Mark Ruffalo starred in 'Just Like Heaven' and acted in 'Rumor Has It'.

2005: Starring in 'Just like Heaven'

In 2005, Mark Ruffalo starred in the romantic comedy 'Just like Heaven'.

2006: Starring in 'All the King's Men' and Broadway Debut

In 2006, Mark Ruffalo starred in 'All the King's Men' and made his Broadway debut in 'Awake and Sing!', earning a Tony Award nomination.

March 2007: Appearance in 'Zodiac'

In March 2007, Mark Ruffalo appeared in David Fincher's 'Zodiac' as Dave Toschi.

2007: Starring in 'Zodiac'

In 2007, Mark Ruffalo starred in the thriller 'Zodiac'.

2008: Expressed concern over gas companies

In 2008, Mark Ruffalo expressed concern about gas companies eyeing his family's land and became a prominent anti-fracking activist.

2008: Roles in 'The Brothers Bloom' and 'Blindness'

In 2008, Mark Ruffalo starred in 'The Brothers Bloom' and co-starred in 'Blindness'.

2009: Discussed hydraulic fracturing and the FRAC Act

In 2009, Mark Ruffalo discussed hydraulic fracturing and the FRAC Act.

2009: Role in 'Where the Wild Things Are'

In 2009, Mark Ruffalo played a brief role in 'Where the Wild Things Are'.

March 2010: Signing with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

In March 2010, Mark Ruffalo signed with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

June 2010: Signing with United Talent Agency (UTA)

In June 2010, Mark Ruffalo signed with the United Talent Agency (UTA).

October 4, 2010: Discussed fracking on The Rachel Maddow Show

On October 4, 2010, Mark Ruffalo appeared on "The Rachel Maddow Show" to discuss hydraulic fracturing and the FRAC Act of 2009.

2010: Starring in 'Shutter Island' and 'The Kids Are All Right'

In 2010, Mark Ruffalo starred in 'Shutter Island' and 'The Kids Are All Right', earning an Academy Award nomination for the latter.

2010: Starring in 'Shutter Island'

In 2010, Mark Ruffalo starred in the thriller 'Shutter Island'.

2012: Debut as Hulk in 'The Avengers'

In 2012, Mark Ruffalo debuted as Dr. Bruce Banner / The Hulk in 'The Avengers', replacing Edward Norton.

2012: Playing Hulk in MCU

Since 2012, Mark Ruffalo has gained international recognition for playing Bruce Banner / The Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

2013: Role in 'Iron Man 3'

In 2013, Mark Ruffalo reprised his role as Bruce Banner in 'Iron Man 3'.

2013: Starring in 'Begin Again'

In 2013, Mark Ruffalo starred in the romantic comedy 'Begin Again' alongside Keira Knightley.

2014: Starring in 'The Normal Heart'

In 2014, Mark Ruffalo starred as Ned Weeks in the HBO television adaptation of 'The Normal Heart', earning an Emmy nomination.

2015: Role in 'Spotlight'

In 2015, Mark Ruffalo portrayed journalist Michael Rezendes in the drama film 'Spotlight', earning his third Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA Award nomination.

2015: Role in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'

In 2015, Mark Ruffalo reprised his role as Bruce Banner in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'.

2015: Starring in 'Infinitely Polar Bear'

In 2015, Mark Ruffalo starred in 'Infinitely Polar Bear', earning a Golden Globe nomination.

2015: Supported "Education Is Not a Crime" campaign

In 2015, Mark Ruffalo supported the "Education Is Not a Crime" campaign to draw attention to the Iranian government's denial of university education to young Baha'is.

March 2016: Narrated and produced environmental documentary

In March 2016, Mark Ruffalo narrated and produced "Dear President Obama: The Clean Energy Revolution Is Now," a documentary about President Obama's environmental legacy.

2016: Role in 'Now You See Me 2'

In 2016, Mark Ruffalo portrayed Agent Dylan Rhoades in 'Now You See Me 2'.

2016: Supported Bernie Sanders

In 2016, Mark Ruffalo supported Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders.

June 2017: Petitioned NBC to stop hiring conservative commentators

In June 2017, Mark Ruffalo posted a petition on Twitter urging NBC to stop hiring white conservative commentators.

October 2017: Supported Standing Rock Indian Reservation

In October 2017, Mark Ruffalo actively supported the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline project.

2017: Endorsed Jeremy Corbyn in UK election

In 2017, Mark Ruffalo endorsed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the UK general election.

2017: Executive Producer of 'Anything' and Return to Broadway

In 2017, Mark Ruffalo executive produced the romantic drama 'Anything' and returned to Broadway in 'The Price'.

2017: Role of Bruce Banner in Thor: Ragnarok

In 2017, Mark Ruffalo reprised his role as Bruce Banner in 'Thor: Ragnarok'.

2018: Reprising role of Bruce Banner in Avengers: Infinity War

In 2018, Mark Ruffalo reprised his role as Bruce Banner in 'Avengers: Infinity War'.

2019: Reprising role of Bruce Banner in Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame

In 2019, Mark Ruffalo reprised his role as Bruce Banner in 'Captain Marvel' and 'Avengers: Endgame'.

2019: Signed letter supporting Jeremy Corbyn

In 2019, Mark Ruffalo signed a letter supporting Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn for the UK general election.

2019: Starring in and Producing 'Dark Waters'

In 2019, Mark Ruffalo starred as Robert Bilott in the legal thriller 'Dark Waters', which he also produced.

June 2020: Appeared in webinar for Irish Green Party

In June 2020, Mark Ruffalo appeared in a webinar conference for the Irish Green Party to encourage members to accept a negotiated program for government.

2020: Endorsed Bernie Sanders for President

In 2020, Mark Ruffalo endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for president on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

2020: Starred in "I Know This Much Is True"

In 2020, Mark Ruffalo played dual roles in the HBO limited series "I Know This Much Is True," also serving as an executive producer, earning critical acclaim and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor.

2020: Praised closure of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

In 2020, Mark Ruffalo praised the closure of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant and called for the closure of additional nuclear power plants.

2021: Appeared as Hulk in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings"

In 2021, Mark Ruffalo continued his role as Bruce Banner / The Hulk in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."

April 2022: Urged voters to check voter ID requirements

In April 2022, Mark Ruffalo urged voters to check voter ID requirements in their states and cited VoteRiders as a source of assistance.

2022: Appeared as Hulk in She-Hulk and Acted in The Adam Project

In 2022, Mark Ruffalo appeared as Bruce Banner / The Hulk in the Disney+ series "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law" and acted in the Netflix film "The Adam Project".

October 2023: Signed Artists4Ceasefire letter

In October 2023, Mark Ruffalo signed an open letter of Artists4Ceasefire during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

November 2, 2023: Release of "All the Light We Cannot See"

On November 2, 2023, the Netflix miniseries "All the Light We Cannot See", starring Mark Ruffalo as Daniel LeBlanc, was released, based on Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize winning novel.

2023: Sought to block the sale of West Park Presbyterian Church

In 2023, Mark Ruffalo sought to block the sale of the West Park Presbyterian Church to prevent its demolition and construction of housing, advocating for its preservation and raising funds.

February 8, 2024: Received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

On February 8, 2024, Mark Ruffalo received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, accompanied by his wife and two children.

September 2024: Signed SAG-AFTRA letter calling for ceasefire

In September 2024, Mark Ruffalo, along with other celebrities, signed an open letter from SAG-AFTRA calling for a ceasefire and condemning the industry's McCarthyist repression of members who acknowledge Palestinian suffering.