Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal was born on December 19, 1980. He is the son of filmmaker Stephen Gyllenhaal and author Naomi Foner. Gyllenhaal is remembered for his portrayal of Jack Twist in the epic love drama “Brokeback Mountain.” He was nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor.’ He played a psychologically unstable adolescent in “Donnie Dorkie.” Gyllenhaal’s love of performing and the big screen is evident and he deserves acclaim, so join us as we celebrate his special day!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal

Nickname:

Jake

Birth date:

December 19, 1980

Age:

43

Zodiac Sign:

Sagittarius

Height:

6' 0"

Relationship Status:

In a relationship

Net Worth:

$80 million

Jacob's Social Media:

Background

Jacob Gyllenhaal is the son of Stephen Gyllenhaal, a film director, and Naomi Foner, a screenwriter. He was born on December 19, 1980. Maggie Gyllenhaal, his older sister, is also an actress. His parents urged him to serve at a homeless shelter and perform summer jobs as a teenager because they wanted him to have a regular upbringing. He often appeared in his father’s films as a child. He attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where he received his education and graduated in 1998. He enrolled at Columbia University to study Eastern religions and philosophy but left after two years to pursue his acting career.

He played Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s kid who becomes a NASA engineer by pure determination and hard work, in his first leading role in “October Sky” in 1999. In 2001, he starred in his second major film, “Donnie Darko.” The film became a cult classic. He starred as Sam Hall in the science fiction catastrophe film “The Day After Tomorrow,” in which the devastating repercussions of global warming are depicted through a succession of extreme weather occurrences. The film was a huge box office hit. For his role in “Brokeback Mountain,” he was nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor.’ In 2005, he appeared in two more successful films. He starred alongside Anne Hathaway in the romantic comedy “Love & Other Drugs” in 2010.

Gyllenhaal supports the American Civil Liberties Union with his entire family. He recycles regularly and is a supporter of the Future Forests program. He also participates in the televised fundraiser Stand Up To Cancer, which raises funds for cancer research. Gyllenhaal and Jeanne Cadieu have kept their romance under wraps but still going strong, despite their 16-year age gap. He’s a popular bachelor who’s dated many stunning women, including Kirsten Dunst, Reese Witherspoon, and Taylor Swift.

Career timeline

1999
His First Lead Role

He plays Homer Hickam in his first leading role in the movie “October Sky.”

2001
He Appears in Another Hit

He stars in his second major film, "Donnie Darko,” which becomes a pop culture phenomenon.

2004
“The Day After Tomorrow”

He stars as Sam Hall in the science fiction disaster picture “The Day After Tomorrow.”

2005
He is Nominated for an Academy Award

In "Brokeback Mountain," he plays Jack Twist and is nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor.’

2007
He Features in “Zodiac”

In "Zodiac," he plays crime reporter Robert Graysmith.

2010
He Works With Anne HathawayAgain

He reunites with Anne Hathaway in the film "Love & Other Drugs," which is based on Jamie Reidy's book "Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman."

Why We Love Jake Gyllenhaal

  1. He is ready to help

    Gyllenhaal has always been interested in assisting others, even as a child. When his prescription changed, he donated his spectacles to the N.G.O., New Eyes for the Needy.

  2. He is concerned about the environment

    The actor spends hundreds of dollars a year to have trees planted in a forest in Mozambique. These efforts are part of the Future Forests program.

  3. He is a dynamic actor

    He can play any role and make it come alive. His performance in "Brokeback Mountain" was so convincing that many people began questioning his real-life sexuality. The topic is something the actor was more than willing to confront. He can play any role and bring it to life.

5 Surprising Facts

  1. Taylor Swift sang about him

    The two dated and Swift sang about it in her song titled ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.’

  2. He almost played Spiderman

    Tobey Maguire pulled out of the second film before it began filming due to back issues.

  3. He turned down “The Mighty Ducks”

    Gyllenhaal turned down a role in “The Mighty Duck” upon instruction from his parents.

  4. Gyllenhaal and Adam Levine are childhood friends

    Gyllenhaal and Levine, the lead singer of Maroon 5, have known each other since kindergarten and have remained close friends ever since.

  5. He studied Buddhism

    He studied Buddhism when he was at Columbia University.

Jake Gyllenhaal FAQs

When did Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal meet?

They met at the party hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow and her ex-husband Chris Martin.

What is Jake Gyllenhaal’s hobby?

He is a photography enthusiast.

Is Jake Gyllenhaal vegan?

He eats mostly plant-based foods.

Jake Gyllenhaal’s birthday dates

YearDateDay
2024December 19Thursday
2025December 19Friday
2026December 19Saturday
2027December 19Sunday
2028December 19Tuesday

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