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 prominent American actor with a career spanning over three decades. Born into a film-oriented family, he debuted in 'City Slickers' (1991) and gained early experience in his father's films. His breakout roles came with 'October Sky' (1999) and 'Donnie Darko' (2001), showcasing his range and talent. Gyllenhaal transitioned to larger-scale productions, securing a leading role in the disaster film 'The Day After Tomorrow' (2004). He continues to be a significant figure in the entertainment industry.
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.
1993: Appearance in A Dangerous Woman
In 1993, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in the film A Dangerous Woman, alongside his sister Maggie Gyllenhaal.
1998: Appearance in Homegrown
In 1998, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in the comedy film Homegrown.
1999: Lead Role in October Sky
In 1999, Jake Gyllenhaal played his first lead role in October Sky, an adaptation of Homer Hickam's autobiography Rocket Boys. He portrayed a young man striving for a science scholarship to avoid coal mining.
2001: Lead Role in Donnie Darko
In 2001, Jake Gyllenhaal played his second lead role in the film Donnie Darko, portraying a troubled teenager who experiences visions of a rabbit named Frank. Although not initially successful, the film later became a cult favorite.
2001: Fundraiser to help survivors of the September 11 attacks
In 2017, Jake 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, and Bubble Boy
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal played Pilot Kelston in Highway. He also starred opposite Jennifer Aniston in The Good Girl, and in Lovely and Amazing. Additionally, Gyllenhaal starred in Bubble Boy.
2002: Starred in Lovely & Amazing
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in 'Lovely & Amazing', which is one of his most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2003: Participated in ACLU advertising campaign
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, co-starring with Dennis Quaid.
2004: Campaigning for John Kerry and Rock the Vote
In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal filmed a commercial for Rock the Vote and visited the University of Southern California with his sister to encourage students to vote in the U.S. presidential election. He also campaigned for Democratic Party presidential nominee John Kerry.
2005: Narrating '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. The film is about Philippe Petit's famous stunt.
2005: Starring Role in Brokeback Mountain
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal played Jack Twist in Ang Lee's romantic drama Brokeback Mountain. The role earned him a BAFTA Award and an Academy Award nomination.
2005: Roles in Proof and Jarhead
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the drama Proof, and he also starred in Sam Mendes's Jarhead, portraying a U.S. Marine during the first Gulf War.
January 2007: Hosting Saturday Night Live and Singing Dreamgirls
In January 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal hosted Saturday Night Live. During his opening monologue, he wore a sparkly evening dress and sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical Dreamgirls, dedicating the song to his fans of Brokeback Mountain.
2007: Starred in Zodiac
In 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in 'Zodiac', which is one of his most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2009: Starring 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. He starred alongside Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman. Gyllenhaal has stated that Maguire's performance in the film influenced his acting throughout his career.
November 24, 2010: Release of 'Love & Other Drugs' and Golden Globe Nomination
On November 24, 2010, 'Love & Other Drugs,' a romantic-comedy starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, was released. Gyllenhaal received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance.
2011: Starring in 'Source Code'
In 2011, Jake Gyllenhaal portrayed Colter Stevens, a U.S. Army Aviation captain, in the time-travel thriller 'Source Code'.
February 2012: Serving as Jury Member at Berlin International Film Festival
In February 2012, Jake Gyllenhaal served as a jury member for the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.
September 2012: Release of 'End of Watch'
In September 2012, 'End of Watch,' an action thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña, was released. Gyllenhaal also served as an executive producer for the film.
2012: Starred in End of Watch
In 2012, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in 'End of Watch', which is one of his most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2013: Starring in 'Prisoners' and 'Enemy'
In 2013, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in two films directed by Denis Villeneuve: the thriller 'Prisoners', where he played Detective Loki, and 'Enemy', where he played dual roles as a history teacher and his doppelgänger.
2014: Attended Headstrong Project Event
In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal attended an event that benefited the Headstrong Project, an organization providing treatment to military veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, during which he read a poem by a veteran.
2014: Starred in Nightcrawler
In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in 'Nightcrawler', which is one of his 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: Performing in 'Sunday in the Park with George'
In October 2016, Jake Gyllenhaal performed 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 as the titular character.
February 2017: Reprising 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: Participated in fundraiser for September 11 attack survivors
In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal participated in a fundraiser to help survivors who lost limbs during the September 11 attacks in 2001.
2017: Starring 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: Starred in Stronger
In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in 'Stronger', which is one of his most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2018: Co-starring in 'Wildlife' and appearing in '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: Endorsing Beto O'Rourke and other Democratic Candidates
In the 2018 midterm elections, Jake Gyllenhaal endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke, Stacey Abrams, Andrew Gillum, Kyrsten Sinema, and Jacky Rosen via a Facebook post featuring him in a "BETO" shirt.
2019: Starring in 'Velvet Buzzsaw', 'Spider-Man: Far From Home', and 'Sea Wall/A Life'
In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the thriller 'Velvet Buzzsaw', played Mysterio in 'Spider-Man: Far From Home', and appeared in 'Sea Wall/A Life' on Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination.
2021: Voicing 'Spirit Untamed' and starring 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.
2022: Starring in 'Ambulance' and voicing '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'.
2023: Appearing in 'The Covenant'
In 2023, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in Guy Ritchie's 'The Covenant'.
June 2024: Joining 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.
2025: Gyllenhaal to return to Broadway in Othello
In 2024 it was announced that Gyllenhaal would return to Broadway playing Iago in the 2025 revival of William Shakespeare's tragedy Othello starring opposite Denzel Washington.
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