History of Jared Leto in Timeline

Jared Leto is an American actor and musician, celebrated for his method acting and diverse roles, earning him an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. He is also known as the frontman of the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, recognized for his musical talent and unique stage presence. His career spans three decades.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 26, 1971: Jared Leto's Birth

On December 26, 1971, Jared Leto was born. He is an American actor and musician known for his method acting and role as the frontman of the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Others born on this day/year

1980: Inspiration from The Shining

In 2006, Leto's music video for "The Kill" was inspired by themes of isolation and insanity present in the Stanley Kubrick-directed psychological horror film The Shining released in 1980.

1987: Inspiration from The Last Emperor

In 2006, Leto drew inspiration from Bernardo Bertolucci's historical drama The Last Emperor released in 1987 as well as the work of Akira Kurosawa for directing a short film for "From Yesterday".

1992: Move to Los Angeles

In 1992, Leto moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in directing and acting.

1994: Breakthrough Role in My So-Called Life

In 1994, Leto got his first break in My So-Called Life as Jordan Catalano.

1994: Television Debut in My So-Called Life

In 1994, Leto started his career on the television series My So-Called Life.

1994: Set in 1994

The independent film Highway, released in 2002, is set in 1994.

1995: Film Role in How to Make an American Quilt

In 1995, Leto landed his first film role in How to Make an American Quilt.

1996: Co-starring in The Last of the High Kings

In 1996, Leto co-starred with Christina Ricci in The Last of the High Kings.

1997: Critical Attention for Prefontaine

In 1997, Leto gained critical attention for his performance in Prefontaine.

1997: Supporting Role in Switchback

In 1997, Leto had a supporting role in Switchback.

1997: Starring in Prefontaine

In 1997, Leto starred in the biopic Prefontaine as Olympic hopeful Steve Prefontaine, receiving positive reviews for his portrayal.

1998: Formation of Thirty Seconds to Mars

In 1998, Leto formed Thirty Seconds to Mars with his brother Shannon Leto.

1998: Supporting Role in The Thin Red Line

In 1998, Leto had a supporting role in The Thin Red Line.

1998: Roles in Basil and Urban Legend

In 1998, Leto starred in Basil and Urban Legend.

1999: Roles in Fight Club and Girl, Interrupted

In 1999, Leto appeared in Fight Club and Girl, Interrupted.

1999: Began dating Cameron Diaz

In 1999, Leto began dating actress Cameron Diaz.

1999: Roles in Black and White, Girl, Interrupted, and Fight Club

In 1999, Leto played roles in Black and White, Girl, Interrupted, and Fight Club.

2000: Filming finished for Highway

Filming for the independent film Highway, released in 2002, finished in 2000.

2000: Engaged to Cameron Diaz

In 2000, Leto and Cameron Diaz became engaged.

2000: Roles in American Psycho and Requiem for a Dream

In 2000, Leto played Paul Allen in American Psycho and Harry Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream, receiving acclaim for his performance in the latter, undergoing extreme physical transformation for the role.

2000: Lead Role in Requiem for a Dream

In 2000, Leto received praise for his lead role as a drug addict in Requiem for a Dream.

March 2002: Release of Highway on Home Video

In March 2002, the independent film Highway, in which Leto appeared, was released on home video formats after filming finished in 2000.

August 27, 2002: Release of 30 Seconds to Mars' Debut Album

On August 27, 2002, Thirty Seconds to Mars released their self-titled debut album in the United States, receiving mostly positive reviews and marking a unique niche in the rock realm.

2002: Return to Acting with Panic Room

In 2002, Leto returned to acting with Panic Room.

2002: Release of Debut Album

In 2002, Thirty Seconds to Mars released their debut album, 30 Seconds to Mars, receiving positive reviews but limited commercial success.

2003: Ended relationship with Cameron Diaz

In 2003, Leto and Diaz ended their four-year relationship.

2004: Role in Alexander

In 2004, Leto appeared in Alexander.

August 30, 2005: Release of A Beautiful Lie

On August 30, 2005, Thirty Seconds to Mars released their second studio album A Beautiful Lie in the United States, which was later certified platinum.

2005: Role in Lord of War

In 2005, Leto appeared in Lord of War.

2005: Breakthrough with A Beautiful Lie

In 2005, Thirty Seconds to Mars gained public attention with their second album, A Beautiful Lie.

2006: Role in Lonely Hearts

In 2006, Leto appeared in the neo-noir crime drama Lonely Hearts, playing Raymond Fernandez. His performance was widely praised.

2006: Created cover art for charity album

In 2006, Leto created the cover art for the album 97X Green Room: Volume 2, which proceeds from the sales benefited The Nature Conservancy.

2007: Role in Chapter 27

In 2007, Leto appeared in Chapter 27.

June 2008: Joined Habitat for Humanity

In June 2008, Leto joined Habitat for Humanity to work with Thirty Seconds to Mars on a home being repaired and renovated through the Greater Los Angeles Area's "A Brush With Kindness" programme.

August 2008: Breach of Contract Lawsuit

In August 2008, Thirty Seconds to Mars faced a $30 million breach of contract lawsuit from EMI after attempting to sign with a new label.

2008: Release of A Beautiful Lie Music Video

In 2008, Leto directed the music video for "A Beautiful Lie" under the pseudonym of Angakok Panipaq. The video was filmed 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Greenland.

2008: Supported California Proposition 2 and Barack Obama

In 2008, Leto supported the California Proposition 2 regarding the treatment of farm animals. In the 2008 presidential election, Leto supported Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.

April 28, 2009: Settlement of Lawsuit

On April 28, 2009, Thirty Seconds to Mars announced that the lawsuit with EMI had been settled following a defence based on the De Havilland Law.

October 2009: Raised money against California Proposition 8

In October 2009, Leto raised money for the campaign against California Proposition 8, created by opponents of same-sex marriage.

November 9, 2009: Kings and Queens Short Film Premiere

On November 9, 2009, Jared Leto's short film "Kings and Queens" premiered at the Montalban Theater in Los Angeles, featuring a critical mass movement with eco-conscious intentions. The film was positively received.

December 2009: Release of This Is War

In December 2009, Thirty Seconds to Mars released their third album This Is War to critical acclaim after signing a new contract with EMI.

2009: Role in Mr. Nobody

In 2009, Leto appeared in Mr. Nobody.

2009: Release of This Is War

In 2009, Thirty Seconds to Mars released This Is War, receiving further critical and commercial success.

2009: Mr. Nobody Premiere

In 2009, the science fiction drama "Mr. Nobody," starring Jared Leto as Nemo Nobody, premiered at the Venice Film Festival, garnering praise for its artistry and Leto's performance as he portrayed the last mortal on Earth.

January 2010: Haiti earthquake

After the January 2010 Haiti earthquake, Leto supported Aid Still Required, a non-profit corporation committed to bringing attention and humanitarian aid to areas suffering from natural disasters or human crises.

February 2010: Into the Wild Tour Begins

In February 2010, Thirty Seconds to Mars, with Jared Leto as frontman, began their Into the Wild Tour, marking them as one of the year's most active touring artists.

2010: Closer to the Edge

In 2010, Jared Leto created "Closer to the Edge", a companion piece to "Do or Die".

2010: Hurricane Short Film

In 2010, Jared Leto filmed "Hurricane," an experimental short film exploring personal demons and secret fantasies, described as a "surrealistic nightmare dream-fantasy."

2010: Launched The One and Only Golden Tickets

In 2010, Leto launched The One and Only Golden Tickets, a full service company which operates worldwide and manages exclusive services for concerts, festivals, and events.

January 2011: Returned to Haiti to reconnect with his former home

In January 2011, Leto returned to Haiti to "reconnect" with his former home following the January 2010 tremor and released a book of photographs taken during his trip to the Caribbean country to raise funds for the earthquake-ravaged country.

December 2011: Guinness World Record

In December 2011, Thirty Seconds to Mars entered the Guinness World Records for most live shows during a single album cycle, with 300 shows.

2011: Hurricane MTV VMA Nominations

In 2011, "Hurricane", the short film directed by Jared Leto, received three nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

2011: Launched VyRT

In 2011, Leto launched the online platform VyRT, a live video streaming service featuring social networking and merchandise.

May 2012: Expressed support after Barack Obama endorsed same-sex marriage

In May 2012, Leto expressed support after hearing that Barack Obama had endorsed same-sex marriage.

June 2012: VyRT Awarded Best Online Concert Experience at the O Music Awards

In June 2012, VyRT was awarded Best Online Concert Experience at the O Music Awards.

2012: Directorial Debut with Artifact

In 2012, Jared Leto made his directorial debut with the documentary film "Artifact," chronicling Thirty Seconds to Mars' legal dispute with EMI. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

May 2013: Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams Album Release

In May 2013, Thirty Seconds to Mars released their fourth album, "Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams," produced by Jared Leto, receiving generally positive reviews.

October 12, 2013: City of Angels Short Film Premiere

On October 12, 2013, Jared Leto's short film for "City of Angels" premiered at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring celebrities sharing their visions about Los Angeles.

November 23, 2013: Artifact Theatrical Release

On November 23, 2013, Jared Leto's documentary "Artifact" received a limited theatrical release.

December 3, 2013: Artifact Digital Release

On December 3, 2013, Jared Leto's documentary "Artifact" was digitally released.

2013: Dallas Buyers Club Release

In 2013, Jared Leto starred in "Dallas Buyers Club" as Rayon, a transgender woman with AIDS, earning widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards.

2013: Academy Award for Dallas Buyers Club

In 2013, Leto's performance as a trans woman in Dallas Buyers Club earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

2013: The One and Only Golden Tickets renamed

In 2013, The One and Only Golden Tickets company was renamed Adventures In Wonderland.

2013: Release of Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams

In 2013, Thirty Seconds to Mars released Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams, which received critical and commercial success.

September 30, 2014: Hosted Haiti: The Journey Is the Destination in New York City

On September 30, 2014, Leto hosted the event Haiti: The Journey Is the Destination in New York City, benefitting those affected by the 2010 earthquake in the Caribbean country.

2014: Into the Wild Documentary Series Premiere

In 2014, Jared Leto premiered the documentary series "Into the Wild," telling the story behind Thirty Seconds to Mars' record-breaking concert tour.

February 2015: Named global ambassador for WWF

In February 2015, Leto was named a global ambassador for World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), supporting online fundraisers.

November 3, 2015: Thirty Seconds to Mars Working on New Album

On November 3, 2015, Thirty Seconds to Mars announced that they were working on their fifth studio album.

2015: Began relationship with Valery Kaufman

From 2015, Leto was in a relationship with Russian model Valery Kaufman.

April 2016: The Outsider Announcement

In April 2016, it was announced that Jared Leto would appear in the film "The Outsider" (2018), directed by Martin Zandvliet.

August 2016: Signing with Interscope Records & Blade Runner Casting

In August 2016, Thirty Seconds to Mars revealed they had signed to Interscope Records and Jared Leto was cast as Niander Wallace in "Blade Runner 2049".

2016: Cast as the Joker in Suicide Squad

In 2016, Jared Leto portrayed the role of the Joker in "Suicide Squad", generating attention for his method acting approach.

2016: Starring in Suicide Squad

In 2016, Leto starred in Suicide Squad.

2016: Suicide Squad Method Acting

In 2016, during the production of "Suicide Squad", Jared Leto reportedly sent unorthodox gifts to his fellow cast members as part of his method acting, including live rats and bullets.

September 2017: North American Tour & MTV VMA Tribute

From May to September 2017, Thirty Seconds to Mars embarked on a North American tour, and at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, Jared Leto paid tribute to Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell.

November 2017: Morbius Film Announcement

In November 2017, Sony Pictures announced plans for a film adaptation of Morbius, the Living Vampire.

2017: Blade Runner 2049

In 2017, Jared Leto appeared in Blade Runner 2049.

February 2018: Monolith Tour Announcement

In February 2018, Thirty Seconds to Mars officially announced the Monolith Tour.

April 6, 2018: America Album Release

On April 6, 2018, Thirty Seconds to Mars released their fifth album, "America", which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.

June 27, 2018: Leto to Star in Morbius

On June 27, 2018, it was announced that Jared Leto would star in the Morbius film, directed by Daniel Espinosa.

2018: The Outsider Release

In 2018, Jared Leto appeared in the film "The Outsider".

2018: Led online fundraiser for his 47th birthday

In 2018, Leto led an online fundraiser for World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) for his 47th birthday.

2018: Release of America

In 2018, Thirty Seconds to Mars released America, polarizing critics upon its release.

October 2020: Reprising Role as the Joker

In October 2020, it was reported that Jared Leto would reprise his role as the Joker in Zack Snyder's Justice League.

January 2021: A Day in the Life of America Release

In January 2021, "A Day in the Life of America", a documentary film directed by Leto, was released to general praise.

2021: The Little Things and House of Gucci

In 2021, Jared Leto starred in "The Little Things" and "House of Gucci", receiving nominations for his performances in both films.

2021: Leto Clarifies Suicide Squad Gifts

In a 2021 interview, Jared Leto claimed his comments about gifts to "Suicide Squad" cast members were "in jest," clarifying the nature of his method acting.