Mark Ruffalo's 5 Best Performances

His accolades include 4 Oscar nominations, 3 BAFTA nominations and 2 Emmy wins

It’s been decades now that Mark Ruffalo has conquered our screens and really captivated audiences. He’s played a green rage monster, detectives and an everyman. The question is, which of his roles is his best?

Let’s dive into that, shall we?

5. Bruce Banner/Hulk in Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

It’s probably the role he is most known for nowadays, but we’re talking one particular performance in this case. It’s Ruffalo’s third run at playing Doctor Bruce Banner aka The Incredible Hulk.

This appearance in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok saw Ruffalo’s take on Banner edging away from the more awkward, weary version. Instead we watched as he battled his unique identity crisis more than ever, and gave us a few perfectly comedy moments along the way. Speaking of “more than ever”, we also got to see him in his Hulk role more than ever and he definitely leveled the character up.

Believe it or not, this performance saw Ruffalo voicing the actual Green Goliath for the first time ever. All previous voicing duties were covered by Hulk veteran, Lou Ferrigno.

4. Agent Dylan Rhodes in Now You See Me (2013)

Mysteries, amazement, twists and shocks. It must be Ruffalo’s role as Agent Dylan Rhodes in 2013’s Now You See Me.

Ruffalo’s Rhodes is tasked with bringing the infamous Four Horsemen, law breaking magicians, to justice. We following this rough-around-the-edges performance right to the bitter end, and we couldn’t believe it when we found out there was more to the character than meets the eye. It was a different performance for buffalo than we were used to and it worked very much in his favour.

It turned out that it wasn’t just Ruffalo who was in the running for playing Rhodes. His co-star in Zodiac (which we’ll get to later), Jake Gyllenhaal, was also a contender for the role.

3. Robert Bilott in Dark Waters (2019)

We’re getting a lot more serious as we step into the puddle of Ruffalo’s role in 2019’s Dark Waters.

The actors role as Robert Bilott saw him portraying a defence attorney who works to uncover a history of pollution caused by a corrupt chemical company. It’s a true story and the MCU veteran gives a really raw performance that gets you really tangled up in the story.

The role brought him side-by-side with fellow actor Tim Robbins for a second time. The pair shared the screen once before in 2012’s Thanks for Sharing.

2. Inspector Dave Toschi in Zodiac (2007)

It’s getting as mysterious and dark as ever as we turn to this guys performance as real life Inspector Dave Toschi in 2007’s acclaimed flick, Zodiac.

Toschi was the man with the badge who went on the long and gruelling hunt for the Zodiac Killer, and Ruffalo’s interpretation of him did not disappoint. For a 3 hour movie, Ruffalo’s intense performance alongside fellow MCU Alumni Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr had you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

Ruffalo had the chance to meet the real Dave Toschi in preparation for the movie. He couldn’t believe that Toschi had perfect recall of every detail of every case.

1. Bruce Banner/Hulk in Avengers (2012)

Come on, guys. It was always going to be this one. The top spot goes to Ruffalo’s debut as Doctor Bruce Banner in 2012’s Avengers.

It was thanks to Ruffalo that we got the most accurate and realistic take on the scientist-turned-monster. With this guy as the character, we got that perfect awkwardness of a man who is literally terrified of his emotions building up and causing destruction around him. An inspired performance that has us praying for the next man who takes on the role.

Ruffalo was actually Louis Leterrier’s top choice for 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, but the studio opted for Edward Norton. Funny how things work out, isn’t it?

–

What are your thoughts on our picks for Mark Ruffalo’s best 5 performances? Have your own choices? Let us know in the comment section below.

Mark Ruffalo’s 5 Best Performances