Mark Ruffalo on NPR

Ever since I first saw him as Laura Linney's troubled brother in 'You Can Count On Me' I've liked Mark Ruffalo. He brings a believable everyman energy to his roles that people can connect with. His portrayal of detective Fanning was one of the best parts of Michael Mann's 'Collateral'.

NPR's Neda Ulaby talks with Ruffalo about his life and his new movie (with Julianne Moore and Annette Bening), 'The Kids Are All Right', written by Stuart Blumberg and directed by Lisa Cholodenko, which opens this weekend.

Just at the moment when You Can Count On Me made him a white-hot Hollywood commodity, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. A 10-hour operation left his face partially paralyzed.

"It was really, really hard to concentrate, to form ideas, to talk at times." Ruffalo's voice trails off as he remembers. "Oh, it was such a bad time. So scary, man."

He embarked on exercises and alternative treatments for the next nine months. Eventually, there was progress.

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