History of Jake Gyllenhaal in Timeline

Jake Gyllenhaal is an American actor with a career spanning over three decades. Born into a filmmaking family, he debuted in City Slickers (1991) and gained recognition in October Sky (1999) and Donnie Darko (2001). He transitioned to larger productions with The Day After Tomorrow (2004). Gyllenhaal continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, known for his diverse roles across film and stage.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

December 19, 1980: Birth of Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal

On December 19, 1980, Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal was born in Los Angeles, California, to film director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner.

1990: Wildlife Based on 1990 Novel

The movie Wildlife which Jake Gyllenhaal co-starred in was based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Richard Ford.

1991: Acting Debut in City Slickers

In 1991, Jake Gyllenhaal made his acting debut as Billy Crystal's son in the comedy City Slickers.

1993: Nocturnal Animals Based on 1993 Novel

In 2016, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the movie Nocturnal Animals, based on the 1993 novel Tony and Susan by Austin Wright.

1998: Graduation from Harvard-Westlake and enrollment at Columbia University

In 1998, Jake Gyllenhaal graduated from the Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles and subsequently enrolled at Columbia University to study Eastern religions and philosophy.

1999: Lead Role in October Sky

In 1999, Jake Gyllenhaal played his first lead role in October Sky, an adaptation of the autobiography Rocket Boys. He portrayed a young man striving to win a science scholarship.

2001: Acting with his sister in Donnie Darko

In 2001, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared alongside his older sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, in the science fiction psychological thriller film Donnie Darko.

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.

2001: Helped survivors who lost limbs during 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 Lovely and Amazing

In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in Highway, The Good Girl, and Lovely and Amazing, portraying unstable characters in relationships with older women.

2002: Began Dating Kirsten Dunst

In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal began dating actress Kirsten Dunst after being introduced by his sister Maggie.

2002: Starring in Moonlight Mile and This Is Our Youth

In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in Moonlight Mile and made his theatrical debut in London's West End in This Is Our Youth, winning an Evening Standard Theatre Award.

2002: West End Debut in This Is Our Youth

In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in a West End production of the play This Is Our Youth.

2003: Participated in ACLU Campaign

In 2003, Jake Gyllenhaal participated in an advertising campaign by the American Civil Liberties Union.

2004: Broke Up with Kirsten Dunst

In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal and Kirsten Dunst broke up on friendly terms.

2004: Almost Cast as Spider-Man in Spider-Man 2

In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal was almost cast as Spider-Man in Spider-Man 2 due to concerns about Tobey Maguire's health, but Maguire recovered and the role remained his.

2004: Campaigning for John Kerry

In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal, along with his sister, visited the University of Southern California to urge students to vote in the U.S. presidential election and campaigned for Democratic Party presidential nominee John Kerry.

October 28, 2005: Godfather to Matilda Rose Ledger

On October 28, 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal became the godfather of Matilda Rose Ledger, daughter of his Brokeback Mountain co-stars Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams.

2005: Starring in Brokeback Mountain

In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal starred as Jack Twist in Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain. He won a BAFTA Award for his performance.

2005: Roles in Proof and Jarhead

In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in Proof with Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins and in Jarhead, playing a U.S. Marine during the first Gulf War.

December 2006: Escape from Fire at Manka's Inverness Lodge

In December 2006, Jake Gyllenhaal and his sister Maggie escaped a fire that destroyed Manka's Inverness Lodge in Inverness, California, where they were vacationing.

2006: MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss

In 2006, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger won an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss for their roles in Brokeback Mountain.

2006: People Magazine Recognition

In 2006, Jake Gyllenhaal was named one of People's "50 Most Beautiful People" and listed in People's "Hottest Bachelors of 2006".

January 2007: Hosting Saturday Night Live

In January 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal hosted Saturday Night Live, performing a comedic monologue in drag.

2007: Began Dating Reese Witherspoon

From 2007 until 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal dated his Rendition co-star Reese Witherspoon.

2007: Starring in Zodiac

In 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the thriller Zodiac, directed by David Fincher.

2009: Ended Relationship with Reese Witherspoon

From 2007 until 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal dated his Rendition co-star Reese Witherspoon.

October 2010: Dated Taylor Swift

Jake Gyllenhaal dated singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from October 2010 to January 2011.

November 24, 2010: Love & Other Drugs Release

On November 24, 2010, Love & Other Drugs, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, was released. Gyllenhaal received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his role in the romantic comedy.

2010: Starring in Love & Other Drugs

In 2010, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the romantic comedy Love & Other Drugs.

January 2011: Ended Relationship with Taylor Swift

Jake Gyllenhaal dated singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from October 2010 to January 2011.

2011: Starring in Source Code

In 2011, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the science fiction film Source Code.

2011: Source Code Release

In 2011, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the time-travel thriller Source Code as U.S. Army Aviation captain Colter Stevens. The film was noted for its unrealistic plot but praised for the cast's performances.

February 2012: Berlin International Film Festival Jury

In February 2012, Jake Gyllenhaal served as a jury member for the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.

April 2012: Shalom Life Ranking

In April 2012, Shalom Life ranked Jake Gyllenhaal number six on its list of "the 50 most talented, intelligent, funny, and gorgeous Jewish men in the world".

September 2012: End of Watch Release

In September 2012, the action thriller End of Watch, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña, was released. Gyllenhaal also served as an executive producer for the film, which received positive reviews.

December 2013: Ended Relationship with Alyssa Miller

In December 2013, Jake Gyllenhaal's relationship with model Alyssa Miller ended, they dated from July to December 2013.

2013: Prisoners and Enemy Appearances

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 a dual role as a history teacher and his doppelgänger.

2013: Starring in Prisoners and Enemy

In 2013, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in Denis Villeneuve's thrillers Prisoners and Enemy.

2013: Empire's Sexiest Movie Stars Poll

In 2013, Jake Gyllenhaal was ranked number 35 in Empire's poll of The 100 Sexiest Movie Stars.

2014: Benefited the Headstrong Project

In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal attended an event that benefited the Headstrong Project, an organization that provides treatment to military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

2014: Starring in Nightcrawler

In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in Nightcrawler and received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

2014: Broadway Production of Constellations

In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in a Broadway production of the play Constellations.

January 2015: Broadway Debut in Constellations

In January 2015, Jake Gyllenhaal made his Broadway debut in Nick Payne's Constellations at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, alongside Ruth Wilson.

October 2016: Sunday in the Park with George Concert

In October 2016, Jake Gyllenhaal performed in four benefit concert performances of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George at the New York City Center, receiving a five-star review for his singing.

2016: Starring in Nocturnal Animals

In 2016, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in Nocturnal Animals and received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

February 2017: Sunday in the Park with George Broadway

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 9/11 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 Okja, and starred in Stronger, based on Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman.

2017: Broadway Debut in Sunday in the Park with George

In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in a Broadway production of the musical Sunday in the Park with George.

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: Glamour's Sexiest Men of The Year

In 2018, Jake Gyllenhaal was selected as one of Glamour's Sexiest Men of The Year.

2018: Endorsed Beto O'Rourke

In the 2018 midterm elections, Jake Gyllenhaal endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke.

2018: Began Relationship with Jeanne Cadieu

Since late 2018, Jake Gyllenhaal has been in a relationship with French model Jeanne Cadieu.

2019: Portraying Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home

In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal portrayed Mysterio in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Spider-Man: Far From Home, his highest-grossing release.

2019: Broadway Production of Sea Wall/A Life

In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in a Broadway production of the play Sea Wall/A Life, which earned him a Tony Award nomination.

2019: Starred in Velvet Buzzsaw and Spider-Man: Far From Home

In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the thriller film 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.

2019: Burn This Production Abandoned

In 2019, a new production of Burn This took place with Adam Driver, reportedly Gyllenhaal's production was abandoned.

2021: Voiced 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.

2021: Starring in The Guilty

In 2021, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the 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 Bride! Cast

In June 2024, Jake Gyllenhaal joined the cast of the upcoming science fiction monster film The Bride! in an undisclosed role.

2024: Starring in Road House and Presumed Innocent

In 2024, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the film Road House and the series Presumed Innocent.

2025: Return to Broadway in Othello

In 2025, it was announced that Jake Gyllenhaal would return to Broadway playing Iago in the revival of William Shakespeare's tragedy Othello, starring opposite Denzel Washington.