Željko Ivanek
Close-up photograph of a thin bespectacled man, mostly bald with short gray hair around
Ivanek in 2017
Born (1957-08-15) August 15, 1957
NationalityAmerican
Education
OccupationActor
Years active1981–present
ParentFerdo Ivanek

Željko Ivanek (/ˈʒɛlk ɪˈvɑːnɪk/;[1] Slovene: [ˈʒɛːlkɔ iˈʋaːnək]; born August 15, 1957) is a Slovenian-American actor. Known for his work in film, television and theatre, he is the recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Drama Desk Award, as well as three Tony Award nominations.

Ivanek's film credits include Courage Under Fire (1996), Donnie Brasco (1997), Hannibal, Black Hawk Down (both 2001), Unfaithful (2002), The Manchurian Candidate (2004), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), The Bourne Legacy, Argo, Seven Psychopaths (all 2012), and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017). He has appeared in several films by Lars von Trier: Dancer in the Dark (2000), Dogville (2003), and Manderlay (2005).

On television, Ivanek is known for playing Ray Fiske on the FX series Damages (2007–2010), for which he won the 2008 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor. He also appeared as Ed Danvers on Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999) and Russell Jackson on the CBS drama Madam Secretary (2014–2019), and has had recurring roles on series such as Oz (1997–2003), 24 (2002), True Blood (2008), Heroes (2009), Big Love (2009–2010), Banshee (2014), and 12 Monkeys (2015–2017). Since 2023, he has starred as "The Croat" on AMC's The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Early life and education

Ivanek was born in Ljubljana, PR Slovenia, FPR Yugoslavia,[2] to the family of Ferdo Ivanek, originally from Varaždin, Croatia,[3] and Vojka nee Šimić.[4] In 1960, Željko, his mother and younger brother, Ivan, immigrated to Palo Alto, California, where his father was working as a research assistant at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University.[4][5] His mother also worked at Stanford University as a project manager.[6]

After a two-year stay, in 1962, the family moved back to Slovenia for five years and then returned to Palo Alto in 1967. Having performed in numerous community theater plays in the San Francisco Bay Area, he graduated from Ellwood P. Cubberley High School in Palo Alto in 1975.[7] Ivanek graduated from Yale University majoring in theater in 1978 and attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art afterward.[8]

Acting career

Ivanek has worked extensively on the stage. In 1982, he originated the role of Hally in Athol Fugard's play "Master Harold"...and the Boys. He appeared in the U.S. premieres of Cloud Nine (for which he earned the 1981 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play) and The Pillowman. He performs frequently on Broadway and has been nominated for three Tony Awards, for his performances in the original production of Brighton Beach Memoirs, in Two Shakespearean Actors, and in a revival of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, alongside David Schwimmer and Tim Daly.

However, Ivanek is perhaps best known for his supporting roles in a number of well-known television series. His first television role was as Sammie Wheaton on the soap opera The Edge of Night. Other roles include Emile Danko in Heroes; Roland in The X-Files; prosecuting attorney Ed Danvers in Homicide: Life on the Street; Ray Fiske in Damages; J.J. in Big Love; the Magister in True Blood; Governor James Devlin in Oz; Serbian terrorist Andre Drazen in 24; and Blake Sterling, the Director of National Intelligence in the NBC drama series The Event.[9][10]

Most recently, Ivanek played Russell Jackson in the TV series Madam Secretary. He portrayed John Dickinson, the Pennsylvania representative to the Second Continental Congress, in the miniseries John Adams. He has guest-starred on such shows as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and House. He has appeared several times on Law & Order, both as one-off characters and as Ed Danvers, this last in crossover episodes with Homicide: Life on the Street.

In addition to his stage and television work, Ivanek has appeared in more than 20 feature films, including The Sender, in which he made his feature film debut as the unnamed title character, School Ties, Black Hawk Down, In Bruges, Dogville, The Bourne Legacy, Donnie Brasco, Argo, Seven Psychopaths and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

In 2012, he portrayed Dr. Stafford White in the drama The Mob Doctor. As of 2014, he has supporting roles in several shows on broadcast and cable television, including the series Revolution, where he plays the recurring roles of Dr. Calvin Horn and an illusory nanotech avatar of Horn; Suits; Banshee; and The Americans.

In the documentary That Guy... Who Was in That Thing, Ivanek states that his contract includes a rider to ensure that the first letter in his name, Ž, has its caron properly rendered in any credits sequence where his name appears.

Awards

Ivanek has received recognition for his on-screen work. In 2008, he was awarded the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in the role of Ray Fiske on Damages.[11]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1982The SoldierBombmaker/Cleaning lady
TexMark JenningsCredited as "Hitchhiker"
The SenderJohn Doe #83 / The Sender
1984Mass AppealMark Dolson
The Sun Also RisesBill Gorton
1987Rachel RiverMomo
1990Artificial ParadiseWilly
1991Our SonsDonald Barnes
1992School TiesMr. Cleary
1996White SquallCoast Guard Captain Sanders
Courage Under FireBen Banacek
InfinityBill Price
The AssociateSEC Agent Thompkins
1997Donnie BrascoTim Curley
Julian PoTom Potter
1998Nowhere to GoPrincipal Jack Walker
A Civil ActionBill Crowley
1999Snow Falling on CedarsDr. Whitman
2000Dancer in the DarkDistrict Attorney
2001HannibalDr. Cordell Doemling
Black Hawk DownLieutenant Colonel Gary Harrell
2002UnfaithfulDetective Dean
2003DogvilleBen
2004The Manchurian CandidateVaughn Utly
2005ManderlayDr. Hector
2006The HoaxRalph Graves
2007Ascension DayMaster Travis
Live Free or Die HardMolina
2008In BrugesCanadian Guy
2011Tower HeistFBI Director Mazin
2012The Bourne LegacyDr. Donald Foite
ArgoRobert PenderNominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast
Nominated—San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by an Ensemble
Seven PsychopathsPauloBoston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cast
Nominated—San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by an Ensemble
The WordsCutler
2016X-Men: ApocalypsePentagon Scientist
2017Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriDesk Sergeant Cedric ConnolyCritics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2020The CourierJohn A. McCone
2021The Last DuelLe Coq

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Great PerformancesMarch HareEpisode: "Alice in Wonderland"
1986American PlayhouseGeorge DeeverEpisode: "All My Sons"
1987St. ElsewhereMark DolsonEpisode: "You Again?"
Echoes in the DarknessVince ValaitisTelevision movie
1990L.A. LawJoel LassenEpisode: "Bound for Glory"
1993Law & OrderPhillip SwannEpisode: "American Dreams"
1993–1999Homicide: Life on the StreetEd Danvers37 episodes
1994The X-FilesRoland Fuller / Dr. Arthur GrableEpisode: "Roland"
1995Murder, She WroteEddie SaundersEpisode: "Home Care"
TrumanEddie JacobsenTelevision movie
1997–1999Law & OrderASA Ed Danvers2 episodes
1997FrasierDr. Arnold ShawEpisode: "Death and the Dog"
The PracticeDA Mark McGovernEpisode: "The Civil Right"
MillenniumDr. Daniel "Danny" MillerEpisode: "Walkabout"
Ally McBealJudge Marshal PinkEpisode: "One Hundred Tears Away"
1997–2003OzGovernor James Devlin27 episodes
1998From the Earth to the MoonKen MattinglyEpisode: "The Original Wives Club"
The Rat PackRobert F. KennedyTelevision movie
2000ERBruce ResnickEpisode: "The Dance We Do"
Homicide: The MovieEd DanversTV film
2001The PracticeAUSA Steven SandersEpisode: "The Confession"
2002The PracticeMatthew DaviesEpisode: "Neighboring Species"
24Andre Drazen15 episodes
The Twilight ZoneER chiefEpisode: "The Lineman"
2003The West WingSteve Atwood2 episodes
The ReagansMichael DeaverTV movie
2004Law & OrderMr. CapplinEpisode: "Gov Love"
Touching EvilRonald HinksEpisode: "Pilot"
2005NYPD BlueJustin DeroosEpisode: "Stoli With a Twist"
CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationAndrew MeltonEpisode: "Nesting Dolls"
2006Law & Order: Special Victims UnitEverett DrakeEpisode: "Taboo"
BonesCarl DeckerEpisode: "The Woman in the Car"
SharkEliot Dasher2 episodes
Cold CaseJohn DoeEpisode: "One Night"
2007–2010DamagesRaymond "Ray" Fiske16 episodes
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film
2007LostEdmund BurkeEpisode: "Not in Portland"
2008NumbersWilliam FraleyEpisode: "When Worlds Collide"
John AdamsJohn Dickinson2 episodes
HouseJasonEpisode: "Last Resort"
2008–2014The MentalistDr. Linus Wagner2 episodes
True BloodMagister5 episodes
2009HeroesEmile "The Hunter" Danko13 episodes
2009–2010Big LoveJ.J.12 episodes
2010–2011The EventBlake Sterling22 episodes
2013White CollarBrett ForsytheEpisode: "Digging Deeper"
2012–2013The Mob DoctorDr. Stafford White13 episodes
2013–2014RevolutionDr. Calvin Horn5 episodes
2014BansheeFBI Special Agent Jim Racine3 episodes
The AmericansJohn SkeeversEpisode: "Stealth"
2014–2015SuitsEric Woodall4 episodes
2014–2019Madam SecretaryRussell Jackson102 episodes
2015–201712 MonkeysLeland Goines3 episodes
2022Now and ThenDetective Sullivan8 episodes
Let the Right One InArthurRecurring
2023–presentThe Walking Dead: Dead City"The Croat"Main cast

Stage

Year Title Role(s) Notes
1978 Idiot's Delight Palota[12]
Design for Living Photographer[13]
The School for Wives Notary[14]
A Month in the Country Matvey[15]
1979 Hay Fever Sandy Tyrell[16]
Charley's Aunt Charley Wykeham[17]
Children of the Sun Rioter[18]
1980 The Front Page Earl Williams[19]
1981 The Survivor Yankele, understudy Rudy[20] Broadway debut
Cloud 9 Betty/Gerry[21] Winner: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
1982 "Master Harold"...and the Boys Hally[22]
1983 Brighton Beach Memoirs Stanley Jerome[23] Nomination: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play
1985 A Map of the World Stephen[24]
1986 Loot Hal[25]
1988 The Cherry Orchard Trofimov[26]
Hamlet Hamlet[27]
1990 Ivanov Lvov[28]
1991 Two Shakespearean Actors John Ryder[29] Nomination: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play
Nomination: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
1992 It's Only a Play Peter Austin[30]
1994 The Glass Menagerie Tom Wingfield[31]
2001 The Dumb Waiter Ben[32]
The Zoo Story Peter[32]
2002 Blue/Orange Robert Smith[33]
2005 The Pillowman Ariel[34]
2006 The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial Lt. Com. Philip Francis Queeg[35] Nomination: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
Nomination: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play
2012 Slowgirl Sterling[36]

References

  1. "SLOWGIRL: Interview with Željko Ivanek" on YouTube
  2. "Željko Ivanek profile". TV Guide. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  3. Suhić, Nevenka (October 18, 2011). "Ponosan na svoje korijene!" [Proud of his roots!]. Regionalni Tjednik (in Croatian). No. 387. Varaždin, Croatia: Regionalni Tjednik d.o.o. p. 11. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Voislava Simic-Ivanek, Ivan Simic-Ivanek, and Željko Šimic-Ivanek; arrived New York, New York, US, aboard Queen Elizabeth, destination Palo Alto, California; New York State, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1917-1966
  5. Hausner, Jerry (January 10, 2022). "In Memoriam: Dr. Ferdo Ivanek". IEEE Microwave Magazine. 23 (2): 101. doi:10.1109/MMM.2021.3126823. S2CID 245871920.
  6. "Ferdo Ivanek". mtt.org. IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  7. "Around Town". Palo Alto Online. February 14, 1996. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  8. "Željko Ivanek Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  9. "NBC Picks Up Three New Series for 2010-11 Season with "The Event", "Outsourced" and "Love Bites"". The Futon Critic. May 7, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  10. Hibberd, James (May 16, 2010). "NBC's fall schedule, upfront revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  11. Levin, Gary (January 5, 2009). "'Damages' returns in all its complexity." USA Today. p. 01D. Retrieved via Biography In Context database, November 25, 2018.
  12. "Idiot's Delight". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  13. "Design for Living". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  14. "School for Wives, The". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  15. "Month in the Country, A". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  16. "Hay Fever". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  17. "Charley's Aunt". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  18. "Children of the Sun". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  19. "Front Page, The". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  20. "The Survivor – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  21. "Cloud 9". www.iobdb.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  22. Fugard, Athol (2009). "Master Harold" … and the boys. Penguin. ISBN 9780307475206.
  23. "Brighton Beach Memoirs – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  24. "David Hare's 'A Map of the World' Opens Off-Broadway". AP NEWS. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  25. "Loot – Broadway Play – 1986 Revival | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  26. Rich, Frank (January 25, 1988). "Stage: Brook's 'Cherry Orchard'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  27. "Guthrie Theater flourishing in its 25th year. Moli'ere play on stage, 'Hamlet' in the wings". Christian Science Monitor. July 29, 1988. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  28. Rich, Frank (September 25, 1990). "Review/Theater; Early Chekhov in a Cross-Cultural Exercise". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  29. "Two Shakespearean Actors – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  30. McNally, Terrence (1992). It's Only a Play. Dramatists Play Service. p. 4. ISBN 0822205823.
  31. League, The Broadway. "The Glass Menagerie – Broadway Play – 1994 Revival | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  32. 1 2 "Dumb Waiter & The Zoo Story, The". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  33. Weber, Bruce (November 25, 2002). "THEATER REVIEW; Psychiatrists Do Battle, Mental Illness In the Middle". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  34. "The Pillowman – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  35. "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial – Broadway Play – 2006 Revival | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  36. Isherwood, Charles (June 19, 2012). "Filling the Silence With the Voice of Youth". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
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