Mark Ruffalo is officially in his villain era. After decades of playing fundamentally good men, the Oscar-nominated actor is now putting his versatility to the test. Despite working with acclaimed directors and being a part of big franchises, Ruffalo, for years, faced challenges in branching out from romantic leads. Nevertheless, it seems he has finally broken free from that mold. Apart from being an acclaimed actor, the strongest avenger, and now a potential quintessential villain, Ruffalo is also a loving father.

The parenting journey, however, has not been smooth for him. Balancing growing kids while keeping his Hollywood career on track has brought out the Hulk in him at times, and here is why.

Mark Ruffalo’s Parenthood Journey

Mark Ruffalo got his first taste of fatherhood about one year after he and Sunrise Coigney married. But just as they were gearing up for parenthood, the Shutter Island actor had to undergo brain surgery for a tumor. Recounting the experience to the Acoustic Neuroma Association, Ruffalo admitted to praying constantly, hoping he would come out of the surgery okay to continue his career and provide for his family. Thankfully, things worked out, and Ruffalo’s career has been on an upward trajectory ever since.

Then there was a time when the couple was hit with the daunting task of raising several teenagers all at once. Ruffalo opened up to PEOPLE about how he coped with this period, labeling it as “intense“. He cherished those moments when everything seemed to be rolling along smoothly, only to have his kids unexpectedly open up to him with deep conversations where they shared their struggles.

Keen Ruffalo: The Eldest Son

Mark Ruffalo and Sunrise Coigney welcomed their first child, Keen Ruffalo, into the world on June 19, 2001. By the age of 12, Keen had already ventured into acting with his silver screen debut in his father’s film Begin Again. He also had a small, uncredited role in Thor: Ragnarok in 2017. The 22-year-old was also lined up to star in two short films: Suspicious Minds and The Monster Within. Despite his budding acting career, Keen still prefers to keep a low profile and is not seeking fame.

Over the years, he made many public appearances since he grew up, especially with his parents at movie premieres. He was present at the premieres of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Spotlight, and the Now You See Me series. Mark Ruffalo understands and respects his son’s wish for privacy, opting to keep him off his social media platforms, although he does give him occasional shoutouts.

Bella Noche Ruffalo: The Middle Child

Mark Ruffalo and Sunrise Coigney celebrated the birth of their second child, Bella Noche Ruffalo, on April 12, 2005. Following her brother Keen’s lead, Bella Noche also graced the red carpets for her father’s movie premieres. She joined her parents at the premiere of The Adam Project and the Roundabout Theatre Company’s 2017 Spring Gala. In August 2021, Mark Ruffalo took to social media to share a heartwarming photo of Bella.

The Avengers actor sang her praises for being one-of-a-kind. Scrolling through Bella’s socials, it is clear she is all about exploring deserted places. She also likes to put her stamp on them with some graffiti. And sometimes, even her big brother Keen tags along for the ride. Bella’s also got a sweet playlist going on her highlight reel.

Also, with their anime-inspired profile pictures, it is safe to say that both Bella and Keen share a strong sibling connection.

Odette Moon Ruffalo: The Youngest Daughter

October 14, 2007, was the day Mark Ruffalo and Sunrise Coigney welcomed their youngest addition, Odette Moon Ruffalo, into their lives. Fast forward to 2013, and Mark Ruffalo was seen taking some time off to enjoy a leisurely bike ride around New York City with Odette. While Odette usually stays away from the spotlight, she does make appearances with her family at special red carpet events. And just like her siblings, she also made a cameo in Thor: Ragnarok.

When Odette was ten, she took a pic of her old man, which he proudly shared on Facebook with the caption, “Odette’s photo of her dad. Photo of Dad loving his daughter“. Then, in 2022, when Odette surprised him with a special art piece, the Poor Things star could not help but show it off on Instagram. The kind gesture from his teen brought too much joy to Mark Ruffalo. With the Oscars coming up, fans might be able to get a sneak peek of the children once more time.

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