Career Timeline of Jake Gyllenhaal: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Jake Gyllenhaal built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Jake Gyllenhaal is a prolific American actor with a career spanning over three decades in film and theatre. Born into a filmmaking family, he began acting as a child, appearing in films like 'City Slickers' and movies directed by his father. His early notable roles included Homer Hickam in 'October Sky' and the lead in the cult classic 'Donnie Darko,' showcasing his range. Gyllenhaal transitioned into mainstream success with a leading role in the disaster film 'The Day After Tomorrow,' solidifying his position as a prominent actor.
1991: Acting Debut in 'City Slickers'
In 1991, Jake Gyllenhaal made his acting debut as Billy Crystal's son in the comedy film 'City Slickers'.
1992: Turned Down 'The Mighty Ducks'
In 1992, Jake Gyllenhaal was not allowed to appear in 'The Mighty Ducks' by his parents because it would have required him to leave home for two months.
1993: Appearance in 'A Dangerous Woman'
In 1993, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in 'A Dangerous Woman', alongside his sister Maggie Gyllenhaal, which was one of the films directed by his father.
1994: Appearance in 'Homicide: Life on the Street'
In 1994, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in "Bop Gun", an episode of 'Homicide: Life on the Street'.
1998: Appearance in 'Homegrown'
In 1998, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in the comedy 'Homegrown', which was directed by his father.
1999: Lead Role in 'October Sky'
In 1999, Jake Gyllenhaal played his first lead role in 'October Sky', an adaptation of the Homer Hickam autobiography 'Rocket Boys'.
2001: Role in 'Donnie Darko'
In 2001, Jake Gyllenhaal played a troubled teenager in the thriller 'Donnie Darko', marking one of his breakthrough roles.
2001: Fundraiser to Help Survivors of 9/11 Attacks
In 2017, Gyllenhaal participated in a fundraiser to help survivors who lost limbs during the September 11 attacks in 2001.
2002: Roles in 'Highway', 'The Good Girl', 'Lovely and Amazing' and 'Bubble Boy'
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal played Pilot Kelston in 'Highway', starred opposite Jennifer Aniston in 'The Good Girl', starred in 'Lovely and Amazing' with Catherine Keener, and starred in 'Bubble Boy'.
2002: Starring in 'Moonlight Mile' and 'This Is Our Youth'
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in 'Moonlight Mile' and made his theatrical debut on the London stage in 'This Is Our Youth', receiving an Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer.
2002: Starring in 'This Is Our Youth'
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in a West End production of the play 'This Is Our Youth'.
2002: Release of Lovely & Amazing
In 2002, the film Lovely & Amazing was released and is considered one of Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2003: Audition for Batman Begins
In 2003, Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for the role of Batman in the superhero film 'Batman Begins' but the role was given to Christian Bale.
2003: Advertising Campaign by the American Civil Liberties Union
In 2003, Jake Gyllenhaal participated in an advertising campaign by the American Civil Liberties Union.
2004: Appearance in 'The Day After Tomorrow'
In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in the science fiction blockbuster 'The Day After Tomorrow'.
2004: Urged students to vote in the U.S. presidential election
In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal filmed a commercial for Rock the Vote and visited the University of Southern California with his sister to urge students to vote in the U.S. presidential election, campaigning for John Kerry.
2005: Narrated "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers"
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal narrated the short animated film "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers", which was based on Mordicai Gerstein's book of the same name, recounting Philippe Petit's famous stunt.
2005: Role in 'Brokeback Mountain'
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal played Jack Twist in 'Brokeback Mountain', a romantic drama directed by Ang Lee, for which he won a BAFTA Award and was nominated for an Academy Award.
2005: Roles in 'Proof' and 'Jarhead'
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal was cast in the drama 'Proof' and starred in Sam Mendes's 'Jarhead'.
January 2007: Hosted Saturday Night Live and sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
In January 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal hosted Saturday Night Live, where he wore a sparkly evening dress and sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical Dreamgirls during his opening monologue, dedicating it to his fans.
2007: Starring in 'Zodiac'
In 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the thriller 'Zodiac'.
2009: Co-starred in "Brothers"
In 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal co-starred in Jim Sheridan's "Brothers", a remake of Susanne Bier's Danish film of the same name, alongside Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman.
November 24, 2010: Starred in "Love & Other Drugs" and received a Golden Globe nomination
On November 24, 2010, Jake Gyllenhaal starred opposite Anne Hathaway in the romantic-comedy "Love & Other Drugs", which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination.
2010: Starring in 'Love & Other Drugs'
In 2010, Jake Gyllenhaal played a starring role in the romantic comedy 'Love & Other Drugs'.
2011: Portrayed Colter Stevens in "Source Code"
In 2011, Jake Gyllenhaal portrayed Captain Colter Stevens in the time-travel thriller "Source Code".
2011: Role in 'Source Code'
In 2011, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the science fiction film 'Source Code'.
February 2012: Served as a jury member for the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival
In February 2012, Jake Gyllenhaal served as a jury member for the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.
September 2012: Starred in "End of Watch"
In September 2012, Jake Gyllenhaal starred alongside Michael Peña in David Ayer's action thriller "End of Watch", playing one of two Los Angeles street cops.
2012: Release of End of Watch
In 2012, the film End of Watch was released and is considered one of Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2013: Appeared in "Prisoners" and "Enemy"
In 2013, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in two films directed by Denis Villeneuve: "Prisoners", where he played Detective Loki, and "Enemy", where he played the dual role of a history teacher and his doppelgänger.
2014: Attendance at Headstrong Project Event
In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal attended an event that benefited the Headstrong Project, an organization providing treatment to military veterans with PTSD, during which he read a poem by a veteran.
2014: Nomination for 'Nightcrawler'
In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as a manipulative journalist in 'Nightcrawler'.
2014: Starring in 'Constellations'
In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the Broadway production of the play 'Constellations'.
2014: Release of Nightcrawler
In 2014, the film Nightcrawler was released and is considered one of Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
January 2015: Broadway debut in "Constellations"
In January 2015, Jake Gyllenhaal debuted on Broadway in Nick Payne's "Constellations" at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, opposite Ruth Wilson.
October 2016: Performed in "Sunday in the Park with George"
In October 2016, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in four benefit concert performances of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical "Sunday in the Park with George" at the New York City Center, playing the titular character.
2016: Nomination for 'Nocturnal Animals'
In 2016, Jake Gyllenhaal was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as a troubled writer in 'Nocturnal Animals'.
February 2017: Reprised role in "Sunday in the Park with George" on Broadway
Starting in February 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal reprised his role in "Sunday in the Park with George" at the reopened Hudson Theatre on Broadway.
2017: Participation in Fundraiser for September 11 Survivors
In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal participated in a fundraiser to help survivors who lost limbs during the September 11 attacks in 2001.
2017: Starred in "Life", "Okja", and "Stronger"
In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal starred as astronaut David Jordan in the science fiction horror film "Life", had a supporting role in the action-adventure film "Okja", and starred in the drama "Stronger", based on Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman.
2017: Starring in 'Sunday in the Park with George'
In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the Broadway production of the musical 'Sunday in the Park with George'.
2017: Release of Stronger
In 2017, the film Stronger was released and is considered one of Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2018: Co-starred in "Wildlife" and "The Sisters Brothers"
In 2018, Jake Gyllenhaal co-starred in the drama "Wildlife" opposite Carey Mulligan and had a role in the Western drama "The Sisters Brothers".
2018: Supporting Role in 'Wildlife'
In 2018, Jake Gyllenhaal played a supporting role in the drama 'Wildlife'.
2018: Endorsed Beto O'Rourke and other candidates
In the 2018 midterm elections, Jake Gyllenhaal endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke, as well as Stacey Abrams, Andrew Gillum, Kyrsten Sinema, and Jacky Rosen in their respective elections.
2019: Starred in "Velvet Buzzsaw", "Spider-Man: Far From Home", and "Sea Wall/A Life"
In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal reunited with Dan Gilroy in the thriller film "Velvet Buzzsaw", played Mysterio in "Spider-Man: Far From Home", and appeared in "Sea Wall/A Life" on Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination.
2019: Starring in 'Sea Wall/A Life'
In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the Broadway play 'Sea Wall/A Life', which earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
2019: Role in 'Spider-Man: Far From Home'
In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal's highest-grossing release came with the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film 'Spider-Man: Far From Home', where he portrayed Mysterio.
2019: Abandoned production of "Burn This"
In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal's planned production of Lanford Wilson's "Burn This" on Broadway was reportedly abandoned, and a new production took place with Adam Driver.
2021: Voiced in "Spirit Untamed" and starred in "The Guilty"
In 2021, Jake Gyllenhaal lent his voice for the animation "Spirit Untamed" and played Detective Joe Baylor in the crime thriller "The Guilty", a remake of the Danish film of the same name.
2021: Starring in 'The Guilty'
In 2021, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the action thriller film 'The Guilty'.
2022: Starred in "Ambulance" and "Strange World"
In 2022, Jake Gyllenhaal starred as a criminal in Michael Bay's action thriller "Ambulance" and voiced a farmer in the Disney animation "Strange World".
2022: Starring in 'Ambulance'
In 2022, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the action film 'Ambulance'.
2023: Appeared in "The Covenant"
In 2023, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in Guy Ritchie's "The Covenant".
June 2024: Joined the cast of "The Bride!"
In June 2024, Jake Gyllenhaal joined the cast of the upcoming science fiction monster film "The Bride!" in an undisclosed role.
2024: Roles in 'Road House' and 'Presumed Innocent'
In 2024, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the film 'Road House' and the series 'Presumed Innocent'.
2025: Will return to Broadway in "Othello"
In 2025, Jake Gyllenhaal is set to return to Broadway playing Iago in the revival of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello", starring opposite Denzel Washington.
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