BWW Profile: Mark Ruffalo Oscar-Nominated Star of Stage and Screen

It all started with 13 GOING ON 30.

At least, it did for me. (This makes it sound like I'm about to write a cheesy romantic novel. My apologies.) I, along with basically every girl in my 8th grade class, fell in love with the adorable, slightly nerdy best friend of Jennifer Garner in the coming of age hit of 2004. I took to IMDb (as one does) and instantly decided that Mark Ruffalo was a pretty cool guy, and a pretty cool actor. Fortunately, it wasn't long after that that Mark Ruffalo started appearing in some of the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood: ZODIAC, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, SHUTTER ISLAND, and THE AVENGERS. Hollywood thankfully agreed with me.

They showed their affection by nominating Ruffalo for three Academy Awards: all, ironically, for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The first nod rolled in in 2011 for THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT; the second in 2015 for FOXCATCHER; and the third for this year's SPOTLIGHT (which tells the story of the Boston Globe's discovery of the Catholic Church's massive child molestation scandal). The nominations don't just stop with the Academy, though: Ruffalo has also been nominated for two Golden Globes, three BAFTAs, and two Emmys, winning one for the HBO adaptation of Tony-winning play THE NORMAL HEART.

Like many actors (especially those profiled here on BWW), Ruffalo's work is not confined solely to the screen. In addition to the multitude of nominations he's received from his work in film and television, Ruffalo also earned himself a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for 2006's AWAKE AND SING!. But if that's not enough for you, go back even further to when Ruffalo's career was just beginning. After moving to Los Angeles, he co-founded the Orpheus Theatre Company, where he wrote, directed, and starred in a handful of plays. Darn, driven, tenacious, successful people!

Really, though, Ruffalo is absolutely one of those celebrities you always hope to run into on the street or on the subway. (Actually, I should look around, I'm sitting on the subway as I write this - wouldn't that be a twist!)(Note: nothing happened. It was a completely uneventful subway ride.) He's wonderful to his fans, with an active presence on Twitter and tumblr. (Yes, I said tumblr. I'm serious. Go look immediately. You won't regret it.) Basically what I'm saying is sure, he may be the Hulk, but he's also everyone's new best friend.

A very talented new best friend. He may be nominated for his role as Mike Rezendes in Spotlight, but that wasn't the only film of 2015 that Ruffalo starred in.INFINITELY POLAR BEAR is one of those films that flies way under the radar and doesn't make Award Season waves, but should still not be missed. The film follows Cam Stuart, a manic-depressive father who tries to save his failing marriage by taking care of his two daughters all by himself. It's adorable, it's funny, it's touching, and you should see it. I bet you'll enjoy it.

Will Ruffalo finally take home an Oscar this year? Tune in to the Oscars on February 28 to find out!

Will you be rooting for Ruffalo and SPOTLIGHT on Oscar night? Let us know your thoughts on her nomination, and the Oscars in general in the comments below.

The 88th Academy Awards telecast will air live coast-to-coast on Sunday, February 22, 2015 (8:30 p.m.ET/5:30 p.m.PT) on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. And be sure to visit BWW for live coverage of the 2016 Oscar telecast.