History of Peter Sarsgaard in Timeline
Peter Sarsgaard is an American actor known for his performances in film and television. He honed his craft at the Actors Studio. Sarsgaard gained recognition for portraying unconventional, and often villainous, characters throughout his career.
7 hours ago : Maggie Gyllenhaal & Peter Sarsgaard attend 'The Bride!' premiere with daughters.
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard attended 'The Bride!' premiere in New York, with Maggie wearing Miu Miu. They brought their teen daughters to the event.
March 7, 1971: Peter Sarsgaard's Birth
On March 7, 1971, John Peter Sarsgaard, now known as an American actor, was born.
1989: Graduation from Fairfield Prep
In 1989, Peter Sarsgaard graduated from Fairfield Prep.
1991: Transfer to Washington University in St. Louis
In 1991, Peter Sarsgaard transferred to Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), where he co-founded the improvisational comedy troupe "Mama's Pot Roast".
1993: Murder of Brandon Teena
In 1993, Brandon Teena was raped and murdered by John Lotter and Tom Nissen, a real-life event that later inspired the film Boys Don't Cry, in which Peter Sarsgaard played Lotter.
1993: Graduation from Washington University
In 1993, Peter Sarsgaard graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from Washington University and moved to New York.
1995: Guest Role in Law & Order and Film Role in Dead Man Walking
In 1995, Peter Sarsgaard had a guest role in Law & Order and appeared in his first film role in Dead Man Walking.
1995: Film Debut in Dead Man Walking
In 1995, Peter Sarsgaard made his film debut with Dead Man Walking.
1995: Theatrical Debut in Laura Dennis
In 1995, Peter Sarsgaard made his theatrical debut in the Off-Broadway production of Horton Foote's Laura Dennis.
1997: Guest Role in New York Undercover
In 1997, Peter Sarsgaard had a guest role in New York Undercover and appeared in the HBO special Subway Stories.
1997: Role in Another Day in Paradise
In 1997, Peter Sarsgaard played a role in the independent film Another Day in Paradise.
1998: Role in The Man in the Iron Mask
In 1998, Peter Sarsgaard gained recognition for his role in The Man in the Iron Mask.
1999: Critical Recognition in Boys Don't Cry
In 1999, Peter Sarsgaard gained critical recognition for his role as John Lotter in Kimberly Peirce's Boys Don't Cry.
2000: Screening of Boys Don't Cry at Venice Film Festival
In 2000, Boys Don't Cry, starring Peter Sarsgaard, was screened at a special presentation at the Venice Film Festival.
2001: Leading Role in The Center of the World
In 2001, Peter Sarsgaard played his first leading role in the feature The Center of the World, portraying Richard Longman.
October 2002: Return to Theater in Burn This
In October 2002, Peter Sarsgaard returned to theater in a New York production of Lanford Wilson's Burn This, replacing Edward Norton.
2002: Began relationship with Maggie Gyllenhaal
In 2002, Peter Sarsgaard began a romantic relationship with actress Maggie Gyllenhaal.
2003: Publication of Jarhead Memoir
In 2003, Anthony Swofford published his Gulf War memoir, Jarhead, which later became a film in 2005 starring Peter Sarsgaard.
2003: Golden Globe Nomination for Shattered Glass
In 2003, Peter Sarsgaard received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Charles Lane in Shattered Glass.
2003: Role in Shattered Glass
In 2003, Peter Sarsgaard starred in the film Shattered Glass, depicting journalist Charles Lane, earning him his first Golden Globe Award nomination and an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
2004: Roles in Garden State and Kinsey
In 2004, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the films Garden State and Kinsey.
2005: Roles in Jarhead and Flightplan
In 2005, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the films Jarhead and Flightplan.
2005: Roles in The Skeleton Key, Flightplan, and Jarhead
In 2005, Peter Sarsgaard played supporting roles in The Skeleton Key and Flightplan, and also starred in Jarhead.
2005: Role in The Dying Gaul
In 2005, Peter Sarsgaard starred in the drama The Dying Gaul, portraying Robert Sandrich.
January 21, 2006: Hosting Saturday Night Live
On January 21, 2006, Peter Sarsgaard hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL).
April 2006: Announced Engagement to Maggie Gyllenhaal
In April 2006, Peter Sarsgaard and actress Maggie Gyllenhaal announced their engagement.
October 2006: Birth of first daughter
In October 2006, Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal's first daughter was born.
2007: Roles in Year of the Dog and Rendition
In 2007, Peter Sarsgaard played supporting roles in Year of the Dog and Rendition, and was named one of Salon.com's Sexiest Man Living.
2008: Highest-Grossing Film to Date
By the end of 2008, Flightplan, in which Peter Sarsgaard played a role, became his highest-grossing film to date, earning $223 million worldwide.
2008: Premiere of 'The Mysteries of Pittsburgh' at Sundance Film Festival
In 2008, 'The Mysteries of Pittsburgh,' starring Peter Sarsgaard, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Sarsgaard played Cleveland, a rebellious bisexual character in the film.
2008: Broadway Debut in The Seagull
In 2008, Peter Sarsgaard made his Broadway debut at the Royal Court Theatre in Anton Chekhov's The Seagull.
May 2, 2009: Married Maggie Gyllenhaal
On May 2, 2009, Peter Sarsgaard married actress Maggie Gyllenhaal in a small ceremony in Brindisi, Italy.
2009: Roles in An Education and Orphan
In 2009, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the films An Education and Orphan.
2009: Played Mikhail Lvovich Astrov in 'Uncle Vanya'
In 2009, Peter Sarsgaard played Mikhail Lvovich Astrov, a country doctor and philosopher, in the Classic Stage Company's off-Broadway production of Anton Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya' in New York City. The production ran until March 1, 2009.
2009: Starred in 'The Mysteries of Pittsburgh', 'Orphan', and 'An Education'
In 2009, Peter Sarsgaard starred in 'The Mysteries of Pittsburgh' as Cleveland, 'Orphan' as a father who adopts a mysterious girl, and 'An Education' as David, requiring him to use a British accent. These roles showcased his versatility in drama and coming-of-age genres.
February 2010: Cast as Hector Hammond in 'Green Lantern'
In February 2010, Peter Sarsgaard was cast as the villain Hector Hammond in the superhero film 'Green Lantern', which was released in 2011.
May 2010: Cast in 'Three Sisters'
In May 2010, Peter Sarsgaard was reported to star in Chekhov's play 'Three Sisters', with the production set to begin in January 2011.
June 2010: Appeared in 'Knight and Day'
In June 2010, Peter Sarsgaard appeared in the action comedy film 'Knight and Day' alongside Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, playing a federal agent.
2010: Role in Knight and Day
In 2010, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the film Knight and Day.
January 2011: Starred in 'Three Sisters'
In January 2011, Peter Sarsgaard starred in the production of Chekhov's play 'Three Sisters', reuniting with 'Uncle Vanya' director Austin Pendleton.
2011: Role in Green Lantern
In 2011, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the film Green Lantern.
April 2012: Birth of second daughter
In April 2012, Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal's second daughter was born.
June 2013: Supported Chelsea Manning in video
In June 2013, Peter Sarsgaard and numerous other celebrities appeared in a video showing support for Chelsea Manning.
2013: Role in The Killing
In 2013, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the AMC/Netflix crime series The Killing.
2013: Roles in Lovelace and Blue Jasmine
In 2013, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the films Lovelace and Blue Jasmine.
2013: Appeared in 'Blue Jasmine' and 'The Killing'
In 2013, Peter Sarsgaard played a supporting role in Woody Allen's drama 'Blue Jasmine' and appeared in the American TV series 'The Killing', portraying a man on death row.
2015: Portrayed Hamlet
In 2015, Peter Sarsgaard appeared in the Classic Stage Company production of 'Hamlet' in the title role.
2016: Roles in Jackie and The Magnificent Seven
In 2016, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the films Jackie and The Magnificent Seven.
2016: Played Robert F. Kennedy in 'Jackie'
In 2016, Peter Sarsgaard portrayed Robert F. Kennedy in Pablo Larraín's film 'Jackie'.
2018: Role in The Looming Tower
In 2018, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the Hulu limited series The Looming Tower.
2021: Role in Dopesick
In 2021, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the Hulu limited series Dopesick, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
2021: Role in The Lost Daughter
In 2021, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the film The Lost Daughter.
2021: Appeared in 'Dopesick' and 'The Lost Daughter'
In 2021, Peter Sarsgaard returned to television in the Hulu miniseries 'Dopesick' and appeared in 'The Lost Daughter', directed by his wife Maggie Gyllenhaal. He also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for 'Dopesick'.
2022: Played District Attorney Gil Colson in 'The Batman'
In 2022, Peter Sarsgaard played the role of District Attorney Gil Colson in 'The Batman'.
2023: Starred in 'Memory' and Won Volpi Cup
In 2023, Peter Sarsgaard starred opposite Jessica Chastain in the Michel Franco film 'Memory', which premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. He won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his performance.
2023: Volpi Cup for Memory
In 2023, Peter Sarsgaard won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for playing a man with dementia in Memory.
2024: Role in Presumed Innocent
In 2024, Peter Sarsgaard acted in the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
2024: Nominated for Emmy for 'Presumed Innocent'
In 2024, Peter Sarsgaard received a second Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his work in the Apple TV+ series 'Presumed Innocent'.
September 2025: Signed Film Workers for Palestine boycott pledge
In September 2025, Peter Sarsgaard signed the Film Workers for Palestine boycott pledge.
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