What Mark Ruffalo is really like…
This is the start of a series of posts centered around actors, directors, and producers that I have either met, worked with, or been around for a period of time on set here in New Orleans.
My aim is to let you know what I personally experienced.
First up! Mark Ruffalo!
Ruffalo was most recently seen as the Hulk in The Avengers (LOVE), and I got to meet him on the set of “Now You See Me” which should be out sometime in 2013.
Here’s a list of what I experienced with this guy:
He’s incredibly NICE. I work in craft services (look up the definition HERE on wiki), and I was in the middle of cleaning up some trash from set (which is ACTUALLY a job for Locations…but I digress). Anyway, I’m walking with a huge bag of trash in each hand in this stinky, funky old theater in downtown New Orleans, and was just about to go through one of the theater doors in the back, when all of a sudden, bursting through that door is Mark Ruffalo and he’s walking right down the same aisle I’m occupying.
This was actually the first time I came face to face with a famous actor, let alone one I really like and respect. So, I had this look of complete and utter awe, because I just couldn’t believe that I saw one of my favorite actors in the flesh. You do actually get used to it after awhile.
My coworker (who happens to be my fiance’s brother) was standing there with me, and as Ruffalo walked past us toward the stage he said, “Hi guys! How ya doin’?”
Knowing what I know now about actors on set, that’s very RARE, because most actors are very into themselves. That’s not to say they aren’t kind, etc. But they are usually very much into what they are doing actor wise, and really aren’t paying attention to much of anything else.
You know that clip of The Avengers blooper reel where Ruffalo runs away? Click HERE if you don’t know what I’m talking about.
That’s what he’s like on set. He’s always joking around, always playing with the other actors, being goofy. It was awesome to watch. He wrestled Woody Harrelson a couple of times.
Mostly, the one thing that struck me about him was how personable and unassuming he is. He would come on the craft service truck, chatting, raiding the fridge and the snacks.
I remember once he was on the phone, pacing on the sidewalk. Since we were on location, the sidewalk was open to pedestrians. I kept watching pedestrian after pedestrian pass him by, not realizing who they were walking past, then I finally saw someone pass him, then turn around and do a double take, shake their head and keep walking.
Quite honestly, it must be nice to be an A-list actor and not be recognized that much, because it was a VERY different story for poor Sly Stallone when we were on Bourbon Street. But that’s another story for another day!
Ruffalo has no superiority complex. He acted like a normal human being, and by that I mean he didn’t hide in his trailer off set, he didn’t solely hang around other actors and the higher ups on the crew, and he didn’t demand a thing, but rather was courteous and polite at every turn. Considering how stressful making a movie can be, that’s a huge deal.
To put a cherry on top, at wrap he went to every crew member and asked if they wanted a picture taken with him. That might sound kind of pompous, but when you are an actor who’s pretty damn famous and you actually take time out of your schedule to meet your fans, even the ones who work with you, that says a whole lot.
You might be asking, “Picture or GTFO.” Well, unfortunately, I wasn’t on set that day *MAJOR SAD FACE.* But I swear it happened for my friends, lol.
And that’s my story of Mark Ruffalo.
He’s awesome, on screen and off. :)
P.s. If you haven’t watched The Brothers Bloom yet, you are missing out! As a plus, its directed by Rian Johnson, who also directed Looper which is coming out soon. :)
