Jacob "Jake" Gyllenhaal (last name pronounced jill-en-hall) was born in Los Angeles, California, on December 19, 1980 to director Stephen Gyllenhaal and producer/screenwriter Naomi Foner, and is the brother of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, who played his sister in Donnie Darko. His father is of partial Swedish heritage and his mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

Jake made his film debut at age eleven in City Slickers playing Billy Crystal's son and began to establish himself as an up-and-coming actor in films like as October Sky before being cast in the title role in Donnie Darko, for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best actor. Gyllenhaal's performance as a troubled psychotic won him excellent reviews, and the film quickly received cult status. He played opposite Jennifer Aniston in another Sundance favorite in The Good Girl and once again earned good reviews. Gyllenhaal also starred in the Walt Disney romantic comedy, Bubble Boy and in the science fiction blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow which also starred Dennis Quaid.

Making his theater debut, Gyllenhaal appeared on the London stage with a starring role in Kenneth Lonergan's revival of This Is Our Youth. The play, which had been a critical sensation on Broadway, ran for eight weeks in London's West End. Gyllenhaal's performance in Jarhead with Jamie Foxx came as a surprise to critics and fans alike. Gyllenhaal played a markedly hostile, masculinely violent Marine during Gulf War I, while balancing this with the sensitive, vulnerable qualities of the lead character. Brokeback Mountain, in which he co-starred with Australian actor Heath Ledger as sheep herders who fall in love in the 1960s and depicts their relationship over the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. The film went on to win four Golden Globes, four BAFTA Awards and was nominated for a leading eight Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Brokeback Mountain. Jake is also the godfather of Matilda Rose Ledger, daughter of actor Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams,

Gyllenhaal's most notable relationship has been with actress Kirsten Dunst. He is friends with Maroon 5 front-man Adam Levine, having known him since kindergarten. He is close with his sister's boyfriend and Jarhead co-star, actor Peter Sarsgaard. Jake has two dogs: a German Shepherd named Atticus and a Puggle named Boo Radley after the characters of his favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird.

Gyllenhaal's career is booming and he is considered one of the most promising actors of his generation.


Jarhead (2005): $3,000,000

Son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner. Younger brother of Maggie Gyllenhaal. His godmother is Jamie Lee Curtis and godfather is Paul Newman. He received his first driving lesson from Newman. Is of Swedish (noble) and Russian-Jewish descent. Sister Maggie Gyllenhaal introduced him to Kirsten Dunst. Both Kirsten and Maggie appeared in Mona Lisa Smile (2003). Jake and Kirsten dated, but broke up in July 2004. Was set to play Spiderman in Spider-Man 2 (2004) due to complications with Tobey Maguire. While he was preparing for the role, Maguire was back as Spiderman. Was named one of People Magazine's 50 Hottest Bachelors [2004]. Went to elementary school with band members of Maroon 5. His favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, and he has two dogs, Atticus and Boo named after the novel's main characters. Shares his birthday with Marla Sokoloff, Alyssa Milano, Jennifer Beals and Édith Piaf. Although they broke up in July 2004, he and Kirsten Dunst had an on and off relationship up until 2006. When asked who his idols are he said Anthony Quinn, Paul Newman, Sean Penn, Bruce Springsteen and Bono. Godfather of Matilda Ledger, born October 28, 2005 (daughter of actor Heath Ledger and actress Michelle Williams. He gave Kirsten Dunst a gray and white kitten for her birthday. She named the cat Sophie. His first four big roles were in movies with alliterated titles: Bubble Boy (2001), Donnie Darko (2001), Moonlight Mile (2002), The Good Girl (2002). Studied acting with Ivana Chubbuck. Uncle of Ramona Sarsgaard, born October 3, 2006. She is the daughter of his older sister Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard. Is good friends with Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey. Campaigned for the Democrats in the 2004 US election. Voted #10 in Elle (France) Magazine's "15 Sexiest Men" poll (June 2007). He appeared in a 1994 episode of "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993) that was directed by his father, Steven. Was ranked #8 on Entertainment Weekly's '30 Under 30' the actors list. (2008). Was in a relationship with Reese Witherspoon, having met on the set of Rendition (2007) (January 2007-November 2009). He and sister Maggie Gyllenhaal are the first siblings to be Oscar-nominated for acting in the 21st century. Had a childhood crush on Martha Plimpton. He met her when she appeared in Running on Empty (1988), which was written by Jake's mother Naomi Foner.