Goran Visnjic (Croatian: Goran Višnjić, pronounce /'ʋiʃ.ɲiʨ/ ('VISH-nyich'), on September 9, 1972) is a Croatian actor who has appeared in American films and television productions. He is best known for his role as Dr. Luka Kovač in the hit television series ER. Now credited as Goran Visnjic in his English-language work, he adopted the simplified spelling of his name when he came to the United States in the late '90s, believing it would be more accessible to American audiences