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Jake Gyllenhaal Biography

Birth Name:
Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal
Birth Place:
Los Angeles, California, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Began acting professionally by the age of 11
  • Parents didn't allow him to take a role in 1992's The Mighty Ducks because it required a two-month location shoot
  • Paul Newman, a family friend, gave him his first driving lesson at age 15
  • Sang in a rock band called Holeshot
  • Auditioned for the role of Christian in Moulin Rouge
  • On-screen sister in Donnie Darko was played by his real sister, Maggie
  • Appeared on the London stage in 2002 opposite Anna Paquin and Hayden Christensen in This Is Our Youth
  • Developed friendships with Brokeback Mountain costars Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams
  • Is godfather of their daughter, Matilda Rose Ledger
  • In 2006, won the MTV Movie Awards' Best Kiss category with Ledger for Brokeback Mountain
  • Supports Rock the Vote and the American Civil Liberties Union, among other causes

Awards

  • 2019Independent Spirit Awards-Best First Feature: nominated
  • 2017Critics' Choice Awards-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017BAFTA Film Awards-Best Leading Actor: nominated
  • 2015Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2015IFTA Film & Drama Awards-Best International Actor: nominated
  • 2015BAFTA Film Awards-Best Leading Actor: nominated
  • 2015Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2015Independent Spirit Awards-Best First Feature: winner
  • 2014Canadian Screen Awards-Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2014Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actor in an Action Movie: nominated
  • 2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2006BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2006Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2005National Board of Review-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2005Phoenix Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2005Online Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2002Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: nominated

Relationships