NBC Television's ER drama doctor Luka Kova?, who replaced George Clooney on the award-winning show, is Croatia's pride and joy.
Hollywood's heartthrob came from Croatia and training at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb to appear in North American films like The Peacemaker, Rounders, Committed and Practical Magic. He even tried the music video scene, having worked with Madonna on The Power of Goodbye in 1998.
However, it was his role in Welcome To Sarajevo when he played Risto, the Bosnian driver that he was noticed by producer Jack Orman who was reportedly having a difficult time trying to find someone to fill the shoes of George Clooney. When he saw Vi�nji?, he asked him immediately to sign on in the show's sixth season which started in late 1999. Six seasons later, he was the lead of the show. To date he is still with the show but reports are he will be leaving at the end of the 2007 season.
Films may become a more important part of his acting portfolio as they have taken on priority since joining the cast of ER. Vi�nji? has co-starred in the movie The Deep End, Spartacus and Doctor Sleep as well as voice acted in the animated feature Ice Age.
Like his colleague he replaced, People Magazine took notice of him as well and named him One of Television's Sexiest Men as well as Hollywood's Sexiest Import in 1999.
Not to be overshadowed by American press, Croatia honored Vi�nji? as well and ranked him number 18 in the country's monthly film magazine Hollywood in Best Croatian Male Movie Stars of All Time list in November, 2005. The year prior, he was named as Best Croatian Actor based on internet magazine visitor voting.
Vi�nji? is married to Ivana Vrdoljak, and they live in Los Angeles.