Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal is an American actor from the Gyllenhaal family. His parents are director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner. He started acting as a child, appearing in "City Slickers" and his father's films "A Dangerous Woman" and "Homegrown." He rose to fame with his roles in "October Sky" and "Donnie Darko."
1963: Start of the story in Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain, released in 2005, begins its story in the summer of 1963, depicting the initial meeting and developing relationship between the characters played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger.
December 19, 1980: Jake Gyllenhaal is Born
On December 19, 1980, Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal was born into a family entrenched in the film industry, as the son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner.
1988: Donnie Darko's Setting
The film Donnie Darko, in which Jake Gyllenhaal stars, is set in 1988 and revolves around a troubled teenager who experiences visions of a menacing 6-foot-tall rabbit named Frank, who predicts the world's impending doom.
1990: Wildlife Release
Based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Richard Ford, Jake Gyllenhaal co-starred in the drama Wildlife alongside Carey Mulligan.
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. This early exposure to filmmaking was largely due to his family's deep roots in the industry.
1991: Acting Debut in City Slickers
In 1991, Jake Gyllenhaal made his acting debut at a young age, appearing as Billy Crystal's son in the comedy film City Slickers.
1992: Turning Down The Mighty Ducks
Despite growing up around filmmaking, Jake's parents were selective about his roles. They decided against him appearing in The Mighty Ducks in 1992 because the filming schedule would have kept him away from home for an extended period.
1993: A Dangerous Woman and Josh and S.A.M.
Jake continued to act in 1993, appearing in his father's film A Dangerous Woman alongside his sister Maggie. He also took on a role in Josh and S.A.M., a children's adventure film, which was a rare exception to his parents' preference for him to act in projects directed by his father.
1993: Early Roles in A Dangerous Woman and Josh and S.A.M.
In 1993, Jake appeared in his father's film A Dangerous Woman, alongside his sister Maggie. The same year, he also acted in the children's adventure film Josh and S.A.M., one of his few early roles outside of his father's projects.
1993: Nocturnal Animals Release
Based on the 1993 novel Tony and Susan by Austin Wright, Gyllenhaal starred in Tom Ford's neo-noir thriller Nocturnal Animals.
1994: Appearance in Homicide: Life on the Street
In 1994, Jake appeared in an episode of the television series Homicide: Life on the Street titled "Bop Gun."
1996: Everest: Portrayal of Scott Fischer
Based on the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, Jake Gyllenhaal portrayed American mountaineer Scott Fischer in Baltasar Kormákur's Everest.
1998: Role in Homegrown and High School Graduation
In 1998, Jake appeared in another of his father's films, the comedy Homegrown. That same year, he graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles.
1998: High School Graduation and Summer Jobs
In 1998, Jake graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. His parents instilled a strong work ethic, requiring him to take on summer jobs like lifeguarding and bussing tables at a family friend's restaurant, teaching him the value of hard work and independence.
1998: Homegrown and Appearances on Molto Mario
In 1998, Jake once again acted in one of his father's films, Homegrown. Additionally, he and his sister, Maggie, appeared with their mother on episodes of the Italian cooking show Molto Mario, further showcasing the family's close ties and shared experiences within the entertainment world.
1999: October Sky Release
In 1999, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the critically acclaimed film 'October Sky'.
1999: Breakthrough Role in October Sky
In 1999, Jake starred in October Sky, playing Homer Hickam, a young man aspiring for a science scholarship. This performance marked his breakthrough role, earning critical acclaim and establishing him as a rising star.
1999: Breakthrough Role in October Sky
Jake's first lead role in a film came in 1999 with October Sky, an adaptation of Homer Hickam's autobiography, Rocket Boys. The film garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, establishing Jake as a promising young actor with a bright future ahead of him.
2001: Donnie Darko Release
Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the cult classic film 'Donnie Darko' in 2001.
2001: September 11 Attacks Occur
On September 11, 2001, the tragic September 11 attacks occurred in the United States.
2001: Donnie Darko and Cult Following
In 2001, Jake took on another lead role in the film Donnie Darko, directed by Richard Kelly. Despite not being a box office success initially, the film achieved a cult following over time, becoming a favorite among movie enthusiasts.
2001: Donnie Darko and Cult Following
In 2001, Jake took on the lead role in Donnie Darko, a film that, while not an immediate box office success, gained a devoted cult following. His portrayal of a troubled teenager experiencing disturbing visions was praised by critics.
2002: Lovely & Amazing Release
Gyllenhaal appeared in the film 'Lovely & Amazing' in 2002.
2002: Gyllenhaal Starts Dating Kirsten Dunst
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal began dating actress Kirsten Dunst after being introduced by his sister, Maggie, who had starred with Dunst in "Mona Lisa Smile."
2002: Moonlight Mile and Theatrical Debut
In 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the movie Moonlight Mile, alongside Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, and Ellen Pompeo. He also made his theatrical debut in Kenneth Lonergan's revival of This Is Our Youth at the Garrick Theatre in London.
2002: Transition Roles and Critical Reception
Throughout 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in several films including Highway, The Good Girl, Lovely and Amazing, and Bubble Boy. These roles often featured him portraying unstable characters involved with older women, which he described as 'teenager in transition' roles. These films received mixed critical reception.
2003: Batman Audition
In 2003, Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for the role of Batman in Batman Begins. He was a close contender for the role but ultimately lost it to Christian Bale.
2003: Gyllenhaal Participates in ACLU Advertising Campaign
In 2003, Jake Gyllenhaal took part in an advertising campaign for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
2004: Science Fiction Disaster Film: The Day After Tomorrow
In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the science fiction disaster film, The Day After Tomorrow.
2004: The Day After Tomorrow
Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the science fiction blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow in 2004, co-starring Dennis Quaid as his father.
2004: Gyllenhaal Urges Students to Vote and Campaigns for John Kerry
In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal participated in Rock the Vote initiatives, urging students at the University of Southern California to vote in the presidential election. He also campaigned for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.
2004: Gyllenhaal and Kirsten Dunst End Relationship
In 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal and Kirsten Dunst ended their relationship, but remained on friendly terms.
October 28, 2005: Gyllenhaal Becomes Godfather to Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams' Daughter
On October 28, 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal became the godfather to Matilda Rose Ledger, the daughter of his "Brokeback Mountain" co-stars, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams.
2005: Brokeback Mountain Release
Gyllenhaal's performance in the groundbreaking film 'Brokeback Mountain' in 2005 earned him critical acclaim and awards recognition.
2005: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal narrated the short animated film The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, based on the book by Mordicai Gerstein about Philippe Petit's high-wire walk between the Twin Towers.
2005: Brokeback Mountain
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal starred alongside Heath Ledger in Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain, which depicts a complex relationship between two cowboys over two decades, starting in 1963. The film won numerous awards, including a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Gyllenhaal at the Academy Awards.
2005: Proof and Jarhead
In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in two films: the drama Proof, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins, and Sam Mendes' Jarhead, where he played a U.S. Marine during the first Gulf War.
2005: BAFTA Win for Brokeback Mountain
Jake's performance as Jack Twist in the 2005 romantic drama Brokeback Mountain earned him a BAFTA Award and an Academy Award nomination. This role solidified his standing as a talented and versatile actor.
January 28, 2006: Praise for Ang Lee
On January 28, 2006, at the Directors Guild of America Awards, Jake Gyllenhaal praised Ang Lee, the director of Brokeback Mountain, for his humility and respect for his colleagues.
December 2006: Gyllenhaal and Sister Escape Fire at Manka's Inverness Lodge
In December 2006, Jake Gyllenhaal and his sister, Maggie, were vacationing at Manka's Inverness Lodge in California when a fire broke out. They were among the guests who safely evacuated the lodge.
2006: Awards and Academy Invitation
In 2006, Brokeback Mountain continued to receive accolades, including awards at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs, where Gyllenhaal won Best Supporting Actor. He and Ledger also won an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss. Following the Academy Awards, Gyllenhaal was invited to join the Academy in recognition of his acting career.
2006: Gyllenhaal Featured on People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" and "Hottest Bachelors" Lists
In 2006, Jake Gyllenhaal was recognized by People magazine for his attractiveness. He was included in their "50 Most Beautiful People" and "Hottest Bachelors of 2006" lists.
January 2007: Saturday Night Live Hosting
In January 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal hosted Saturday Night Live, memorably performing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls in his opening monologue.
2007: Starring Role in Thriller Zodiac
In 2007, Jake continued his career progression by taking on a starring role in the thriller Zodiac, further showcasing his range and ability to captivate audiences in diverse genres.
2007: Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon's Relationship Begins
In 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal began dating his "Rendition" co-star, Reese Witherspoon.
2007: Zodiac Release
In 2007, Gyllenhaal starred in the critically acclaimed film 'Zodiac'.
2009: Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon End Relationship
In 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon's relationship ended.
2009: Brothers (Impact on Acting)
In 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal co-starred with Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman in Jim Sheridan's Brothers. Gyllenhaal later remarked that Maguire's performance in this film had a lasting influence on his approach to acting.
2009: Brothers
In 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal starred alongside Tobey Maguire in the film Brothers, directed by Jim Sheridan.
October 2010: Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift Begin Dating
In October 2010, Jake Gyllenhaal began dating singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
November 24, 2010: Love & Other Drugs Release and Golden Globe Nomination
On November 24, 2010, Jake Gyllenhaal starred opposite Anne Hathaway in the romantic-comedy Love & Other Drugs, which garnered him a Golden Globe Award nomination.
2010: Romantic Comedy Love & Other Drugs
In 2010, Jake starred in the romantic comedy Love & Other Drugs.
January 2011: Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift's Relationship Ends
In January 2011, Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift ended their relationship.
2011: Science Fiction Film Source Code
In 2011, Jake further cemented his reputation as a leading man in the science fiction thriller Source Code.
2011: Source Code Performance
In 2011, Jake Gyllenhaal took on the role of Colter Stevens, a U.S. Army Aviation captain, in the time-travel thriller Source Code.
2011: Source Code Release
Gyllenhaal starred in the science fiction thriller 'Source Code' in 2011.
February 2012: Jury Member at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival and Off-Broadway Debut
In February 2012, Gyllenhaal participated as a jury member for the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. This year also marked his debut Off-Broadway in Nick Payne's play If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet.
April 2012: Gyllenhaal Recognized for Talent and Attractiveness by Shalom Life
In April 2012, Shalom Life ranked Jake Gyllenhaal sixth on their list of "the 50 most talented, intelligent, funny, and gorgeous Jewish men in the world."
September 2012: End of Watch Release and Critical Acclaim
In September 2012, Jake Gyllenhaal starred alongside Michael Peña in David Ayer's action thriller End of Watch. The film, in which Gyllenhaal also served as executive producer, garnered positive reviews for its performances and action sequences.
2012: End of Watch Release
In 2012, Gyllenhaal starred in the action thriller 'End of Watch'.
December 2013: Gyllenhaal and Alyssa Miller's Relationship Ends
Jake Gyllenhaal and model Alyssa Miller's relationship ended in December 2013. They had begun dating in July of that year.
2013: Collaboration with Denis Villeneuve in Prisoners and Enemy
In 2013, Gyllenhaal appeared in two films, Prisoners and Enemy, both directed by Denis Villeneuve.
2013: Gyllenhaal Ranked Among "The 100 Sexiest Movie Stars" by Empire Magazine
In 2013, Jake Gyllenhaal was ranked number 35 on Empire magazine's list of "The 100 Sexiest Movie Stars."
2013: Acclaim for Roles in Prisoners and Enemy
In 2013, Jake garnered further acclaim for his performances in two Denis Villeneuve thrillers, Prisoners and Enemy. These roles demonstrated his commitment to challenging and complex characters, earning him significant recognition for his acting abilities.
2014: BAFTA Nomination for Nightcrawler
In 2014, Jake was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of a manipulative journalist in Nightcrawler, solidifying his reputation for delivering intense and memorable performances.
2014: Gyllenhaal Supports Headstrong Project for Military Veterans
In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal attended an event to support the Headstrong Project, an organization that provides mental health treatment to military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
2014: Nightcrawler Release
Gyllenhaal received critical acclaim for his performance in the thriller 'Nightcrawler' in 2014.
January 2015: Broadway Debut in Constellations
Jake Gyllenhaal made his Broadway debut in January 2015, starring in Nick Payne's Constellations at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre alongside Ruth Wilson.
October 2016: Sunday in the Park with George Performances
In October 2016, Gyllenhaal appeared in four benefit concert performances of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical Sunday in the Park with George at the New York City Center, playing the title role.
2016: Another BAFTA Nomination for Nocturnal Animals
Jake received another BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2016 for his captivating performance as a troubled writer in the thriller Nocturnal Animals.
February 2017: Sunday in the Park with George on Broadway
In February 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal reprised his role in Sunday in the Park with George at the reopened Hudson Theatre on Broadway, receiving critical acclaim for his performance.
2017: Life, Okja, and Stronger
Gyllenhaal starred in the science fiction horror film Life as astronaut David Jordan in 2017. He also 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: Stronger Release
In 2017, Gyllenhaal starred in the biographical drama 'Stronger'.
2017: Gyllenhaal Participates in Fundraiser for 9/11 Survivors
In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal participated in a fundraiser to provide support for survivors of the September 11 attacks in 2001 who had lost limbs.
2018: Gyllenhaal Begins Relationship with Jeanne Cadieu
In late 2018, Jake Gyllenhaal began a relationship with French model Jeanne Cadieu.
2018: Wildlife Release
In 2018, Jake starred in Wildlife.
2018: Gyllenhaal Selected as One of Glamour Magazine's "Sexiest Men of The Year"
In 2018, Jake Gyllenhaal was selected as one of Glamour magazine's "Sexiest Men of The Year."
2018: The Sisters Brothers
In 2018, Gyllenhaal had a role in the western drama The Sisters Brothers.
2018: Gyllenhaal Endorses Beto O'Rourke and Other Candidates in Midterm Elections
During the 2018 midterm elections, Jake Gyllenhaal publicly endorsed Beto O'Rourke's U.S. Senate candidacy through a Facebook post, where he was pictured wearing a "BETO" shirt. He also endorsed several other candidates in various Senate or gubernatorial elections.
2019: Spider-Man: Far From Home and Velvet Buzzsaw
2019 saw Jake Gyllenhaal join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying Quentin Beck / Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home, which became his highest-grossing release. That same year, he also appeared in the thriller Velvet Buzzsaw.
2019: Cancellation of Burn This Production
Although initially slated to appear in Lanford Wilson's Burn This on Broadway in 2017, the production was reportedly abandoned. A new production with Adam Driver took place in 2019 instead.
2019: Gyllenhaal Stars in Thriller "Velvet Buzzsaw" and Superhero Film "Spider-Man: Far From Home"
In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the thriller film "Velvet Buzzsaw," directed by Dan Gilroy, where he played art critic Mort Vandewalt. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on Netflix. That same year, he took on the role of Mysterio in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film "Spider-Man: Far From Home."
2021: Gyllenhaal Takes on Voice Role and Stars in Crime Thriller
In 2021, Jake Gyllenhaal lent his voice to the animated film "Spirit Untamed." He also starred in the crime thriller "The Guilty," a remake of a Danish film, playing the role of detective Joe Baylor.
2021: The Guilty
In 2021, Jake starred in The Guilty.
2022: Gyllenhaal Stars in "Ambulance" and Voices Character in "Strange World"
In 2022, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the action thriller "Ambulance," directed by Michael Bay, which received mixed reviews. He also lent his voice to a character in the Disney animated film "Strange World."
2022: Ambulance
In 2022, Jake starred in Ambulance.
2023: Gyllenhaal Appears in Guy Ritchie's "The Covenant"
Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in Guy Ritchie's film "The Covenant" in 2023.
2024: Gyllenhaal Stars in "Road House" and Secures Production Deal with Amazon
In 2024, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the action film "Road House," directed by Doug Liman. Following its success, his production company, Nine Stories, secured a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
2025: Gyllenhaal to Star in Broadway Revival of "Othello"
In 2024, it was announced that Jake Gyllenhaal would return to Broadway in 2025, playing the role of Iago in a revival of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello," starring opposite Denzel Washington.