Keen Ruffalo, the 25-year-old son of actor Mark Ruffalo, has joined the cast of Amazon Prime's new teen drama series Sterling Point as Connor Jacobson.
The bushy-haired newcomer plays opposite Ella Rubin in the eight-episode coming-of-age series, which began streaming on Wednesday. Ruffalo revealed on Friday's segment of the Today show that he completed over 100 auditions before securing his breakout acting role, a detail he also shared with Cultured Magazine.
The young actor entered Hollywood following a career change during college. Before choosing to act, he pursued a fashion design degree before dropping out. He started his freshman year of college just before Covid happened and dropped out not long after.
Career Switch and Dad's Support
Speaking to Today co-hosts Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin, Ruffalo explained that he experienced Covid depression while staying indoors during isolation. He noticed how much happiness acting brought to his father, who has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. That observation inspired him to try something new.
When asked if his father supported the career choice, Ruffalo said his dad was supportive but asked if he was sure about it. Prior to landing his current role, his only acting experience was an extra role in Thor: Ragnarok, in which his father played the dual role of Bruce Banner and the Hulk.
Sterling Point Plot and Improvised Scenes
Sterling Point follows 17-year-old Annie Jacobson, played by 22-year-old Ella Rubin, and her twin brother Connor. Raised in New York City by their single father, the twins discover they have inherited a remote Canadian island from an estranged grandfather. The series also stars Amelie Hoeferle.
Ruffalo noted during his Today appearance that his current situation still does not feel real. He added that he improvised a lot of his scenes on set, including bathtub sequences that caused the director of photography to break and laugh during the first take, forcing a reshoot. He explained that he performs written lines cleanly first before having fun with improvised dialogue.
Improvised acting is a trait Ruffalo shares with his father. While the elder Ruffalo rarely improvises standard dialogue in heavy dramas, he relies on spontaneous accidents in comedy and Marvel projects such as Thor: Ragnarok. The elder actor previously told GQ that his comedic work with Chris Hemsworth was almost completely improvised.
Canadian Locations and Future Movie Roles
Ruffalo described his character Connor as a sarcastic and witty teenager who masks personal insecurities with humor. He explained that he used humor to fit in when he was younger. He praised co-star Ella Rubin, calling her a sweet and talented actor and noting that their dynamic felt right quickly.
Filming for Sterling Point took place in the Muskoka Lakes region and Toronto area in Ontario, Canada. Ruffalo, who grew up on a farm in the country, described being surrounded by trees as the highlight of the show. During production breaks, the cast spent time jet-skiing on the lakes.
Sterling Point is not his only project this summer. Ruffalo stars opposite Mason Thames and McKenna Grace in the road trip comedy Nimrods, which opens in theaters on August 14. His mother, Sunrise Coigney, and his father have supported his transition into acting.
