Keen Ruffalo, son of actor Mark Ruffalo, has secured a leading role in the new Amazon Prime teen drama "Sterling Point," which began streaming on Wednesday. The 25-year-old actor plays Connor Jacobson in the eight-episode series.
Keen Ruffalo shared on the "Today" show that his decision to pursue acting stemmed from what he described as "Covid depression." He had initially enrolled in college to study fashion design but dropped out not long after the pandemic began, leading to a period of personal reflection. "I was starting my freshman year of college just before Covid happened and I was going for fashion designer originally and I dropped out not long after," he explained. "I got the Covid depression, as many people did. And I needed the change. I saw that acting made my dad so happy and I was like, 'Listen, I need to try something new."
While his father was supportive of the career shift, he also expressed a note of caution. "He was definitely supportive but he was like, 'You sure you want to do this?'" Keen recalled.
Prior to this role, Keen's acting experience was limited to an extra part in "Thor: Ragnarok," where his father played Bruce Banner and the Hulk. According to Cultured Magazine, it took over 100 auditions before he landed the part in "Sterling Point."
The series follows 17-year-old Annie Jacobson, who, along with her twin brother Connor, inherits a remote Canadian island from an estranged grandfather. Ruffalo noted that the role resonated with him, stating, "Everyone has a little bit of themselves in everyone else. He masks his own insecurities with humor. I find that was something I did to fit in when I was younger."
Keen also mentioned that he improvised many of his scenes, including some in a bathtub sequence, which he said led to a reshoot after the director of photography laughed. "I do it clean lines for a few times and then we kind of have fun with it and they just let me go," he said.
Filming took place in the Muskoka Lakes region and the Toronto area in Ontario, Canada. Keen described the natural surroundings as a highlight of the experience. "So the whole aesthetic and being in nature that was probably the highlight of the show for me, to be able to walk outside and be surrounded by trees," he said.
In addition to "Sterling Point," Keen Ruffalo also stars in the road trip comedy "Nimrods," which is set for release in theaters on August 14. The film also features Mason Thames and McKenna Grace.