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 an American actor with a career spanning over three decades in film and theater. Born into a filmmaking family, he debuted in 'City Slickers' (1991) and appeared in his father's films. He gained recognition for his roles in 'October Sky' (1999) and 'Donnie Darko' (2001), establishing himself as a versatile actor. Gyllenhaal transitioned to mainstream cinema with a leading role in the blockbuster disaster film 'The Day After Tomorrow' (2004).
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, Gyllenhaal appeared in the film A Dangerous Woman, directed by his father, alongside his sister Maggie Gyllenhaal.
1994: Appearance in Homicide: Life on the Street
In 1994, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in an episode of Homicide: Life on the Street titled "Bop Gun".
1998: Role in Homegrown
In 1998, Gyllenhaal appeared in the film Homegrown, which was directed by his father.
1999: Starring Role in October Sky
In 1999, Gyllenhaal had a breakthrough role as Homer Hickam in the film October Sky.
1999: Release of October Sky
In 1999, one of Jake Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, "October Sky", was released, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2001: Release of Donnie Darko
In 2001, Donnie Darko, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, was initially not a box office success but later became a cult favorite.
2001: Fundraiser for September 11 Attacks Survivors
In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal participated in a fundraiser to help survivors who lost limbs during the September 11 attacks in 2001.
2002: Release of Lovely & Amazing
In 2002, "Lovely & Amazing", one of Jake Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, was released, according to the review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
2002: West End Debut in This Is Our Youth
In 2002, Gyllenhaal starred in a West End production of the play This Is Our Youth.
2002: Roles in Highway, The Good Girl, and Bubble Boy
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in Highway, The Good Girl, Lovely and Amazing and Bubble Boy, receiving mixed reviews for his performances.
2002: Roles in Moonlight Mile and This Is Our Youth
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in Moonlight Mile and made his theatrical debut in This Is Our Youth in London, receiving favorable reviews and an Evening Standard Theatre Award.
2003: Audition for Batman Begins
In 2003, Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for the role of Batman in Batman Begins but was not selected.
2003: American Civil Liberties Union Advertising Campaign
In 2003, Jake Gyllenhaal participated in an advertising campaign by the American Civil Liberties Union.
2004: Starring in The Day After Tomorrow
In 2004, Gyllenhaal took a starring role in the big-budget disaster film, The Day After Tomorrow.
2004: Campained for John Kerry
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. He also campaigned for Democratic Party presidential nominee John Kerry.
2004: Almost Cast as Spider-Man and Role in The Day After Tomorrow
In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal was almost cast as Spider-Man in Spider-Man 2 and subsequently appeared in The Day After Tomorrow.
2005: Release of Brokeback Mountain
In 2005, "Brokeback Mountain", one of Jake Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, was released, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
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 about Philippe Petit's famous stunt.
2005: Roles in Proof and Jarhead
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in Proof and Jarhead, receiving positive reviews for his performances, especially in Jarhead.
January 2007: Hosted Saturday Night Live
In January 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal hosted Saturday Night Live, where he performed "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical Dreamgirls in drag, dedicating the song to his fans of Brokeback Mountain.
2007: Starring in Zodiac
In 2007, Gyllenhaal starred in the thriller Zodiac.
2009: Starring Together in Brothers
In 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire, who were considered for the role of Spider-Man, starred together in Brothers.
2009: Starred in "Brothers"
In 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal co-starred in Jim Sheridan's "Brothers", a remake of Susanne Bier's Danish film. He has also claimed that Tobey Maguire's performance in the film influenced his acting throughout his career.
November 24, 2010: Release of "Love & Other Drugs"
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.
2010: Role in Love & Other Drugs
In 2010, Gyllenhaal starred in the romantic comedy Love & Other Drugs.
2011: Role in Source Code
In 2011, Gyllenhaal starred in the science fiction film Source Code.
February 2012: 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, the action thriller "End of Watch", starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as Los Angeles street cops, was released. Gyllenhaal was also an executive producer for the film.
2012: Release of End of Watch
In 2012, "End of Watch", one of Jake Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, was released, according to the review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
2013: Roles in Prisoners and Enemy
In 2013, Gyllenhaal received acclaim for his roles in Denis Villeneuve's thrillers Prisoners and Enemy.
2014: Nomination for BAFTA for Nightcrawler
In 2014, Gyllenhaal received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Nightcrawler.
2014: Broadway Production of Constellations
In 2014, Gyllenhaal starred in a Broadway production of the play Constellations.
2014: Headstrong Project Benefit
In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal attended an event that benefited the Headstrong Project, an organization providing treatment to military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, during which he read a poem by a veteran.
2014: Release of Nightcrawler
In 2014, the film "Nightcrawler", considered one of Jake Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed, was released, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
January 2015: Broadway Debut in "Constellations"
In January 2015, Jake Gyllenhaal made his Broadway debut in Nick Payne's play "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 performed in four benefit concert performances of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sunday in the Park with George" at the New York City Center.
2016: BAFTA Nomination for Nocturnal Animals
In 2016, Gyllenhaal received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance 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: Release of Stronger
In 2017, "Stronger", one of Jake Gyllenhaal's most acclaimed films, was released, according to the review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
2017: Broadway Debut in Sunday in the Park with George
In 2017, Gyllenhaal starred in the Broadway production of the musical Sunday in the Park with George.
2017: Fundraiser for September 11 Attacks 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 "Okja", and starred in the drama "Stronger", based on Jeff Bauman's life.
2018: Supporting Role in Wildlife
In 2018, Gyllenhaal played a supporting role in the drama Wildlife.
2018: Co-starred in "Wildlife" and "The Sisters Brothers"
In 2018, Jake Gyllenhaal co-starred in the drama "Wildlife" and had a role in the Western drama "The Sisters Brothers".
2018: Endorsed Beto O'Rourke
In the 2018 midterm elections, Jake Gyllenhaal endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke via a Facebook post, also endorsing Stacey Abrams, Andrew Gillum, Kyrsten Sinema, and Jacky Rosen.
2019: Burn This Production
In 2019, Adam Driver starred in a new production of Lanford Wilson's Burn This, with Jake Gyllenhaal's production having reportedly been abandoned.
2019: Broadway Production of Sea Wall/A Life
In 2019, Gyllenhaal starred in the Broadway play Sea Wall/A Life, earning him a Tony Award nomination.
2019: Role in Spider-Man: Far From Home
In 2019, Gyllenhaal's highest-grossing release came with his portrayal of Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home.
2019: Starred in "Velvet Buzzsaw" and "Spider-Man: Far From Home"
In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal reunited with Dan Gilroy in the thriller "Velvet Buzzsaw", and played Mysterio in "Spider-Man: Far From Home". He also appeared in Sea Wall/A Life on Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination.
2021: Starring in The Guilty
In 2021, Gyllenhaal starred in the action thriller The Guilty.
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.
2022: Starring in Ambulance
In 2022, Gyllenhaal starred in the action thriller Ambulance.
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".
2023: Acted in "The Covenant"
In 2023, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in Guy Ritchie's "The Covenant".
June 2024: Joined 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, Gyllenhaal starred in the film Road House and the series Presumed Innocent.
2025: To Appear in Othello on Broadway
In 2025, Jake Gyllenhaal will return to Broadway playing Iago in the revival of William Shakespeare's tragedy Othello, starring opposite Denzel Washington.
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