Career Timeline of Maggie Gyllenhaal: Major Achievements and Milestones

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Maggie Gyllenhaal

How Maggie Gyllenhaal built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is an American actress and filmmaker, belonging to the Gyllenhaal family. She is the daughter of filmmakers Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Achs, and the elder sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal. She is known for her work in film and television.

3 hours ago : Maggie Gyllenhaal: Directing lessons, upcoming movie 'The Bride', and awards circuit.

Maggie Gyllenhaal's directing lessons are highlighted alongside Jessie Buckley's presumptive Oscar turn and Gyllenhaal's upcoming film 'The Bride'. Buckley discusses her awards circuit experiences related to Gyllenhaal work.

1992: Brief appearance in 'Waterland'

In 1992, at the age of 15, Maggie Gyllenhaal made a brief appearance in her father's film 'Waterland'.

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1993: Supporting role in 'A Dangerous Woman'

In 1993, Maggie Gyllenhaal had a supporting role in 'A Dangerous Woman', directed by her father.

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1998: Supporting role in 'Homegrown'

In 1998, Maggie Gyllenhaal had a supporting role in 'Homegrown', which was directed by her father and also featured her brother Jake.

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May 2000: Theatrical Debut in 'Closer'

In May 2000, Maggie Gyllenhaal made her theatrical debut in the Berkeley Repertory Theatre production of Patrick Marber's 'Closer'.

2000: Supporting role in 'Cecil B. Demented'

In 2000, Maggie Gyllenhaal had a supporting role in the film 'Cecil B. Demented'.

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2000: Stage Productions Debut

Since 2000, Maggie Gyllenhaal has appeared in five stage productions, including her Broadway debut in a revival of 'The Real Thing'.

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2001: Appearance in 'Donnie Darko'

In 2001, Maggie Gyllenhaal appeared with her brother Jake Gyllenhaal in the thriller Donnie Darko.

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2001: Supporting role in 'Riding in Cars with Boys' and 'Donnie Darko'

In 2001, Maggie Gyllenhaal had supporting roles in the films 'Riding in Cars with Boys' and 'Donnie Darko'.

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2002: Roles in 'Adaptation', 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind', and 'Secretary'

In 2002, Maggie Gyllenhaal appeared in 'Adaptation', 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind', and received praise for her leading performance in the drama 'Secretary'.

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2002: Roles in 'Adaptation', 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind', and '40 Days and 40 Nights'

In 2002, Maggie Gyllenhaal had a supporting role in the comedy-drama 'Adaptation', appeared in 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind', and had a small role in the comedy '40 Days and 40 Nights'.

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2002: Breakthrough Role in 'Secretary'

In 2002, Maggie Gyllenhaal had her breakout role in the black comedy 'Secretary', earning the Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actress award from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, a Golden Globe nomination, and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance.

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2003: Appearance in 'Mona Lisa Smile'

In 2003, Maggie Gyllenhaal appeared in 'Mona Lisa Smile'.

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2004: Roles in 'Casa de los Babys' and 'Criminal'

In 2004, Maggie Gyllenhaal appeared in the independent films 'Casa de los Babys' and 'Criminal'.

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2004: Starred in 'Strip Search' and returned to theater in 'Homebody/ Kabul'

In 2004, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in the HBO film 'Strip Search' and returned to theater in a Los Angeles production of Tony Kushner's 'Homebody/ Kabul'. She was also invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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2005: Starred in 'Happy Endings'

In 2005, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in the comedy-drama 'Happy Endings', where she played an adventuress singer and recorded songs for the film's soundtrack.

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2006: Appearances in Multiple Films

In 2006, Maggie Gyllenhaal appeared in five films: 'Trust the Man', 'Stranger than Fiction', 'Monster House', 'World Trade Center', and 'Sherrybaby'.

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2006: Leading role in Sherrybaby and commercial success in World Trade Center

In 2006, Maggie Gyllenhaal received praise for her leading performance in the drama 'Sherrybaby', earning a Golden Globe nomination, and achieved commercial success in the thriller 'World Trade Center'.

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2006: Starred in 'Sherrybaby' and won Best Actress at Stockholm International Film Festival

In 2006, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in 'Sherrybaby', receiving critical acclaim for her performance and winning the Best Actress award at the Stockholm International Film Festival. She also earned a second Golden Globe Best Actress nomination for this role.

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November 2007: Co-hosted benefit dinner for Witness

In November 2007, Maggie Gyllenhaal co-hosted a benefit dinner with founder Peter Gabriel for Witness, a non-profit organization that exposes human rights violations.

October 2008: Hosted Fashionably Natural show

In October 2008, Maggie Gyllenhaal hosted a fashion show called "Fashionably Natural" in Los Angeles, which featured new designers working with natural and eco-friendly fabrics and materials.

2008: Starred in 'The Dark Knight'

In 2008, Maggie Gyllenhaal appeared in 'The Dark Knight' as Assistant District Attorney Rachel Dawes. The film was a critical and commercial success.

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2008: Wider recognition for playing Rachel Dawes in 'The Dark Knight'

In 2008, Maggie Gyllenhaal received wider recognition for playing Rachel Dawes in the superhero film 'The Dark Knight'.

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2009: Presented Independent Lens episodes

Between 2009 and 2010, Maggie Gyllenhaal presented 13 episodes of the PBS television series Independent Lens.

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2009: Off-Broadway production of Uncle Vanya

In 2009, Maggie Gyllenhaal played Yelena Andreevna in the Classic Stage Company's Off-Broadway production of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya in New York City, with previews starting January 17 and ending March 1. Reviews of her performance were mixed.

2009: Role in Crazy Heart

In 2009, Maggie Gyllenhaal played journalist Jean Craddock in the musical-drama Crazy Heart, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The film and her performance were widely acclaimed.

2009: Nomination for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for 'Crazy Heart'

In 2009, Maggie Gyllenhaal received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as a single mother in 'Crazy Heart'.

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2009: Starred in the comedy Away We Go

In 2009, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in the comedy Away We Go, playing a bohemian college professor. The film received mixed reviews, but Gyllenhaal's performance was praised by some critics.

2010: Appeared in Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang

In 2010, Maggie Gyllenhaal appeared in Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, playing Isabel Green and speaking with an English accent. The film received generally positive reviews and was a box office success.

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February 2011: Starred in Three Sisters

In February 2011, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in Austin Pendleton's Three Sisters at the Classic Stage Company, playing the character Masha. The play focused on the Prozorov sisters and their longing to return to Moscow.

2011: Starred in 'Hysteria'

In 2011, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in the film 'Hysteria'.

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2012: Starred in Won't Back Down

In 2012, Maggie Gyllenhaal played mother Jaime Fitzpatrick in the drama Won't Back Down, which is about parents involved in a parent trigger takeover of a failing school.

June 2013: Appeared in a video supporting Chelsea Manning

In June 2013, Maggie Gyllenhaal and numerous other celebrities appeared in a video showing support for whistleblower Chelsea Manning.

2013: Appeared in White House Down

In 2013, Maggie Gyllenhaal appeared alongside Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx as a Secret Service agent in the action-thriller White House Down. The film received mixed reviews and under-performed at the box office.

2014: Acted in River of Fundament

In 2014, Maggie Gyllenhaal played Hathfertiti in Matthew Barney and Jonathan Bepler's River of Fundament, a film loosely based on Norman Mailer's 1983 novel Ancient Evenings.

2014: Starred in The Honourable Woman

In 2014, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred as Baroness Nessa Stein in the BBC political spy thriller television miniseries, The Honourable Woman, receiving critical acclaim and winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

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2014: Starred in 'Frank' and 'The Honourable Woman'

In 2014, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in the film 'Frank' and the BBC miniseries 'The Honourable Woman', winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for the latter.

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2014: Starred in musical comedy Frank

In 2014, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in the musical comedy Frank, playing a musician who joins a bizarre band. The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival to favorable opinions.

2016: Narrated Anna Karenina

In 2016, Maggie Gyllenhaal narrated Leo Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina, which was made available for purchase on Amazon's Audible store. She considered it a major accomplishment of her work life.

February 2017: Served as a jury member for the Berlin Film Festival

In February 2017, Maggie Gyllenhaal served as a member of the jury for the 2017 Berlin Film Festival.

2017: Produced and starred in The Deuce

From 2017 to 2019, Maggie Gyllenhaal served as a producer and starred in the HBO drama series The Deuce, playing Eileen "Candy" Merrell. She received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress for her performance.

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2018: Starred in The Kindergarten Teacher

In 2018, Maggie Gyllenhaal starred in The Kindergarten Teacher, a drama about a teacher obsessed with a student. The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and was distributed via Netflix.

2019: Continued starring in 'The Deuce'

In 2019, Maggie Gyllenhaal continued starring in the HBO period drama series 'The Deuce'.

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2021: Directed The Lost Daughter

In 2021, Maggie Gyllenhaal made her feature directorial debut with the psychological drama The Lost Daughter, which she also produced and adapted from a novella by Elena Ferrante. The film received critical acclaim and several awards.

2021: Writing and Directing Debut with 'The Lost Daughter'

In 2021, Maggie Gyllenhaal made her writing and directing debut with the psychological drama 'The Lost Daughter', earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and winning the Venice Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay.

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2026: Directed The Bride!

In 2026, Maggie Gyllenhaal is set to direct The Bride!, a 1930s-set adaptation of Frankenstein, starring Christian Bale, Jessie Buckley, her husband Peter, and her brother Jake.