| Revision as of 18:26, 23 August 2007 view sourceSailorlula (talk | contribs)317 editsm Removed quotes on "gay cowboy" -- the character was gay, and was a cowboy, so quotes not needed.← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:33, 23 August 2007 view source 70.247.87.130 (talk) →BiographyNext edit → | ||
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| Gyllenhaal has taken an activist role in supporting various political and social causes. He appeared in ] advertising, campaigned for the ] in the ], and promoted ] causes and the ]. | Gyllenhaal has taken an activist role in supporting various political and social causes. He appeared in ] advertising, campaigned for the ] in the ], and promoted ] causes and the ]. | ||
| ==Biography== | |||
| ===Early life and education=== | |||
| Gyllenhaal was born in ], ] to film director ] and film producer and screenwriter ].<ref name="Jakesprogress">Schruers, Fred (], ]), ,''The Guardian''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> Gyllenhaal's father was raised in the ] religion and is a descendant of the Swedish noble ]. His last native Swedish ancestor was his great-great-grandfather, Anders ].<ref>Bloom, Nate (], ]) . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Gyllenhaal's mother is from a New York City ] family. She is the ex-wife of ], a history professor at ]. ], Jake's sister, is also an actress. She played his sister in the movie ]. Gyllenhaal's ] celebration took place at a ] because his parents wanted to instill in him a sense of gratitude for his privileged lifestyle.<ref>Contact Music (], ]), . Retrieved ], ].</ref><ref>Bloom, Nate (June 11, 2004), , ''Jewish News Weekly''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> While Gyllenhaal once said he considered himself "more Jewish than anything else," he celebrated Jewish and Christian holidays growing up. Gyllenhaal's parents insisted that he have summer jobs to support himself. He worked as a lifeguard, and as a busboy at a restaurant operated by a family friend.<ref name="HornInterview">Horn, Steven (2004), , ''Ign.com''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| ===Early career=== | |||
| During childhood, Gyllenhaal had regular exposure to filmmaking due to his family's deep ties to the industry. As an 11-year-old he made his acting debut as ]'s son in the 1991 film '']''. His parents did not allow him to appear in the ] '']'' because it would have required him leaving home for two months.<ref name="Jakesprogress">Schruers, Fred (] ]), ,''The Guardian''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> In subsequent years, his parents allowed him to audition for parts, but regularly forbade him to take them if he were chosen.<ref name="HornInterview">Horn, Steven (2004), , ''Ign.com''. Retrieved ] ].</ref> He was allowed to appear in his father's films several times. Gyllenhaal appeared in the 1993 film '']'' (along with sister Maggie), in a 1994 episode of '']'', and in the 1998 comedy ]. Along with their mother, Jake and Maggie appeared in two episodes of '']'', an Italian cooking show on the ]. Prior to his senior year in high school, the only other film not directed by his father in which Gyllenhaal was allowed to perform was '']'', a little-known children's adventure.<ref>Wills, Dominic (2006), , ''Tiscali.com'', page 4. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | |||
| Gyllenhaal graduated from the ] in Los Angeles in 1998, then attended ], where his sister and mother also attended, to study ]s and philosophy. Gyllenhaal dropped out after two years to concentrate on acting, but has expressed intentions to eventually finish his degree.<ref name="Jakesprogress"/> | |||
| Gyllenhaal's first lead role was in '']'', ]'s 1999 adaptation of the ] autobiography '']'', in which he portrayed a young man striving to win a science scholarship to avoid becoming a miner. The film earned $32 million and was described in the '']'' as Gyllenhaal's "breakout performance."<ref>Wills, Dominic (2006), , ''Tiscali.com'', page 5. Retrieved ] ].</ref><ref>Halverson, Mark (1998), , ''News & Review''. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | |||
| ===Critical success=== | |||
| '']'', Gyllenhaal's second major film, was not a ] success upon its initial 2001 release, but eventually became a cult favorite.<ref>Snider, Mike (] ]), ,''USA Today''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> The film, directed by ], is set in 1988 and stars Gyllenhaal as a troubled teenager who, after narrowly escaping death, experiences visions of a 6 foot (1.8 m) tall rabbit named Frank who tells him that the world is coming to an end. Gyllenhaal's performance was well-received by critics; Dan Kois of '']'' claimed that "Gyllenhaal manages the difficult trick of seeming both blandly normal and profoundly disturbed, often within the same scene."<ref>Kois, Dan (] ]), ,''Salon.com''. Retrieved ], ]</ref><ref>Mairs, Gary, ,''CultureVulture.net''. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | |||
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| After the critical success of ''Donnie Darko'', Gyllenhaal's next role was as the lead character in 2002's '']'', a film ignored by audiences and critics alike. His performance was described by one critic as "silly, cliched and ]."<ref>Wills, Dominic (2006), , ''Tiscali.com'', page 7. Retrieved ] ].</ref> Gyllenhaal had more success starring opposite ] in '']'', which premiered at the 2002 ]; he also starred in '']'' with ].<ref>Hubbell, Anne (] ]), , CNN Entertainment. Retrieved ] ].</ref> In both films he plays an unstable character who begins a reckless affair with an older woman. Gyllenhaal later described these as "teenager in transition" roles.<ref>Michael, David (] ]), . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Gyllenhaal later starred in the ] romantic comedy '']'', which was loosely based on the story of ]. The film portrays the title character's adventures as he pursues the love of his life before she marries the wrong man.<ref>Gonzalez, Ed (2001), . Retrieved ], ].</ref> The film was panned by critics, with one calling it an "empty-headed, chaotic, utterly tasteless atrocity".<ref>Swietek, Frank, , oneguysopinion.com. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | |||
| Following ''Bubble Boy'', Gyllenhaal starred opposite ] and ] in '']'', as a young man coping with the death of his fiancée and the grief of her parents. The story, which received mixed reviews,<ref>. Retrieved ] ].</ref> is loosely based on writer/director ]'s personal experiences following the murder of girlfriend ].<ref>Murray, Rebecca (2006), , ''About.com''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| Gyllenhaal was almost cast as ] for '']'' due to director ]'s concerns that ], who had a back injury,<ref>Otto, Jeff. "" ''IGN'', ] ]. Retrieved on ].</ref> risked paralysis from the stuntwork the movie required. Maguire recovered, however, and the sequel was shot without Gyllenhaal.<ref>Morales, Wilson (June 2004), , Blackfilm.com. Retrieved ], ].</ref> (The TV series '']'' satirized this incident by ] signing Gyllenhaal to play ] in a sequel after ] in the original film was fired.) | |||
| Instead, Gyllenhaal starred in the blockbuster '']'' in 2004, co-starring ] as his father.<ref>Mottram, James (] ]), . Retrieved ], ].</ref><ref>Schruers, Fred (] ]), ,''The Guardian''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| In his theatrical debut Gyllenhaal starred on the London stage in ]'s revival of '']''.<ref>Billington, Michael (] ]), , ''The Guardian''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> Gyllenhaal said, "every actor I look up to has done theatre work, so I knew I had to give it a try."<ref>Gritten, David (] ]), , ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> The play, which had been a critical sensation on ], ran for eight weeks in London's ]. Gyllenhaal received favorable critical reviews and an ] in the category "Outstanding Newcomer."<ref>Loveridge, Lizzie (March 2002), , CurtainUp.com. Retrieved ] ].</ref><ref>Albemarle-London, . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| ===''Brokeback Mountain'' and after=== | |||
| 2005 was a prolific year for Gyllenhaal, who starred in the critically praised films '']'', '']'', and '']''. In ''Proof'', featuring ] and ], Gyllenhaal played a math grad who tries to convince Paltrow's character to publish a revolutionary ] to a problem puzzling the mathematicians' community. In ''Jarhead'', Gyllenhaal played against his usual "sensitive yet disturbed" type by displaying an aggressive masculinity as a violent ] during the first ]. Public reaction to this film was muted due to Gyllenhaal's simultaneous appearance in ''Brokeback Mountain''. | |||
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| In ''Brokeback Mountain'', Gyllenhaal<ref name=" The one Jake: why Gyllenhaal spells success">Hiscock, John (December 12, 2005), ,''The Telegraph''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> and ] play two sheep herders who, after overcoming initial reluctance, have a homosexual relationship during the 1960s and 1970s. The film won the ] prize at the ]. The film went on to win four ]s, four ], and three ]. Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of ] for his performance, but lost to ]. Gyllenhaal also won the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for the same role and received a Best ] nomination and Best Film Ensemble nomination from the ]. Shortly after the ], Gyllenhaal was invited to join the Academy in recognition of his acting career.<ref>{{cite press release | date = ] ] | url = http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2006/06.07.01a.html | title = Academy Invites 120 to Membership | publisher = Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | accessdate = 2007-08-14}}</ref> Most recently, Gyllenhaal was awarded the 2006 Young Artist Award for Artistic Excellence by The ] National Arts Awards for his role.<ref>Flowers, Michelle (], ]), , backstage.com. Retrieved November 4, 2006.</ref> | |||
| Gyllenhaal expressed mixed feelings about the experience of being directed by ] in ''Brokeback Mountain'', but generally had more praise than criticism for Lee's directing style. While complaining of the way Lee tended to disconnect with his actors once filming began, Gyllenhaal praised his encouraging direction of the actors and sensitive approach to the material.<ref>Wenn (] ]), | |||
| . Retrieved ] ].</ref><ref>Cavagna, Carla (December 2005), , aboutfilm.com. Retrieved ], ].</ref> At the ] on ], ], Gyllenhaal also praised Lee for "his humbleness and his respect for everyone around him."<ref>CBS news, AP, (] ]), . Retrieved ] ].</ref> | |||
| When asked about his kissing scenes with Heath Ledger in ''Brokeback Mountain'', Gyllenhaal said, "As an actor, I think we need to embrace the times we feel most uncomfortable."<ref name=Details>Denizet-Lewis, Benoit , ''Details''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> When asked about the more intimate scenes with Ledger, Gyllenhaal likened them to "doing a ] with a woman I'm not particularly attracted to."<ref name=" The one Jake: why Gyllenhaal spells success">Hiscock, John (] ]), ,''The Telegraph''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> Following the release of ''Brokeback Mountain'', rumors circulated regarding the actor's ]. When asked about such gossip during an interview, Gyllenhaal said: {{cquote|You know it's flattering when there's a rumor that says I'm bisexual. It means I can play more kinds of roles. I'm open to whatever people want to call me. I've never really been attracted to men sexually, but I don't think I would be afraid of it if it happened.<ref>, ]. Retrieved ], ].</ref>}} | |||
| In 2005, Gyllenhaal also narrated the short ] '']'',<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Between-Towers-Inspiring-Scholastic-Collection/dp/B000G1R3Z8 Amazon ad listing Gyllenhall as star and narrator</ref> based on ] ] about ]'s famous stunt.<ref> Association for Library Service to Children. Retrieved ], ]</ref> | |||
| Gyllenhaal starred in 2007's '']'', directed by ] and based on a true story.<ref name="MottramJakesprogress">Mottram, James (] ]), , ''Sunday Herald''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> He played ], a '']'' cartoonist and author of two books about the ]. Gyllenhaal stars opposite ] in the October 2007 release '']'', a thriller set in the Middle East and directed by ].<ref>Mcnary, Dave, Fleming, Michael (] ]), , ''Variety.com''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| On Saturday, ], ], Gyllenhaal hosted '']'' with musical guests ]. During his opening monologue, he put on a sparkly evening dress and sang "]", from the musical '']'', with ], ] and ] as back-up singers.<ref>Edgeboston.com (], ]), . Retrieved January 27, 2007.</ref> Gyllenhaal dedicated the song to his "unique fan base... the fans of ''Brokeback''."<ref>Saturday Night Live Opening Monologue, .</ref> | |||
| Internationally viewed as a ], Gyllenhaal was named one of ] "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2006.<ref>''People'' Magazine, "50 Most Beautiful People", ] ].</ref> He was also listed in ] "Hottest Bachelors of 2006."<ref>''People magazine'', (] ]), . Retrieved ], ].</ref> In response to mainstream press lists like these, thousands of gay and bisexual men were polled for the 2007 "] Hot 100 List." Gyllenhaal was ranked at #1. <ref name="AlterElton Hot 100 2007">Jenson, Michael. (], ]), , ''AfterElton''. Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| ==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Revision as of 18:33, 23 August 2007
| Jake Gyllenhaal | |
|---|---|
 Gyllenhaal attending the premiere of Proof. | |
| Born | Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1991 - present |
| Awards | NBR Award for Best Supporting Actor 2005 Brokeback Mountain |
| Website | JakeGyllenhaal.com |
Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal (born December 19, 1980) is an American actor. The son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, Gyllenhaal began acting at 11 years old. He has appeared in diverse roles since his first lead role in 1999's October Sky, followed by the 2001 cult hit Donnie Darko, in which he played a psychologically troubled teen. In the 2004 blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow he portrayed a student caught in a cataclysmic global cooling event, alongside Dennis Quaid. He then played against type as a frustrated Marine in Jarhead (2005) and, that same year, won critical acclaim as a gay cowboy in the controversial but highly lauded film, Brokeback Mountain.
Gyllenhaal has taken an activist role in supporting various political and social causes. He appeared in Rock the Vote advertising, campaigned for the Democratic party in the 2004 election, and promoted environmental causes and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Personal life
Family
Gyllenhaal's sister Maggie is engaged to actor Peter Sarsgaard, Gyllenhaal's co-star in Jarhead. Gyllenhaal's niece, Ramona Sarsgaard, was born on October 3, 2006. In December, 2006, they escaped a fire that destroyed Manka's, a famed lodge and restaurant in Inverness, California, at which they were vacationing. Jamie Lee Curtis is Gyllenhaal's godmother, and he has repeatedly referred to his godfathers being a gay couple. Gyllenhaal himself is the godfather of Matilda Rose Ledger (born October 28, 2005), the daughter of actors Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, both of whom co-starred with him in Brokeback Mountain. His uncle, Anders Gyllenhaal, is the executive editor of The Miami Herald.
Relationships
Gyllenhaal dated Rilo Kiley singer Jenny Lewis in 2001, but his most notable relationship has been with actress Kirsten Dunst. The couple met through Gyllenhaal's sister Maggie, Dunst's Mona Lisa Smile co-star, began dating in September 2002. They were reported to have officially broken up in July 2004, but the relationship continued off and on until December 2005.
With Dunst, Gyllenhaal shared a German Shepherd named Atticus which they rescued from a Los Angeles dog shelter. Gyllenhaal also owns a Puggle named Boo Radley. Both dogs are named after characters from the Harper Lee novel To Kill a Mockingbird, one of Gyllenhaal's favorite novels.
Politics and other interests
Gyllenhaal is politically active. He shot a commercial for Rock the Vote, and along with his sister, visited the University of Southern California to encourage students to vote during the 2004 U.S. Election. He also campaigned for Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry. He has said, however, that "it frustrates me when actors talk politics; I’m political and I make choices in my movies that I think are political. I try and say things with what I do. Rightly or wrongly, young actors have all the power."
Raised in a family concerned with social issues, Gyllenhaal has campaigned on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), an organization which his entire family strongly supports. Environmentally conscious, he recycles regularly, and said in an interview that he spends $400 a year to have trees planted in a Mozambique forest, partly to promote the Future Forests program. After filming The Day After Tomorrow, he flew to the Arctic to promote awareness of climate change.
In his spare time, Gyllenhaal enjoys woodworking and cooking. He has said, "I am not a card-carrying Buddhist, but I do try to practice mindfulness" and it is his goal to meditate every day.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | City Slickers | Danny Robbins |
| 1993 | Josh and S.A.M. | Leon |
| 1999 | October Sky | Homer Hickam Jr. |
| 2001 | Donnie Darko | Donnie Darko |
| Bubble Boy | Jimmy Livingston | |
| 2002 | Highway | Pilot Kelson |
| Moonlight Mile | Joe Nast | |
| The Good Girl | Thomas 'Holden' Worther | |
| 2003 | Abby Singer | Himself (Cameo) |
| 2004 | The Day After Tomorrow | Sam Hall |
| 2005 | Brokeback Mountain | Jack Twist |
| Jarhead | Anthony Swofford ("Swoff") | |
| Proof | Harold 'Hal' Dobbs | |
| 2007 | Zodiac | Robert Graysmith |
| Rendition | Douglas Freeman |
Awards
| Year | Group | Award | Result | Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Young Hollywood Awards | Breakthrough Performance - Male | Won | |
| Independent Spirit Awards | Best Male Lead | Nominated | Donnie Darko | |
| 2003 | Chlotrudis Awards | Best Actor | Won | |
| DVD Exclusive Awards | DVD Premiere Award, Best Actor | Nominated | Highway | |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie Breakout Star - Male | Nominated | The Good Girl | |
| 2005 | National Board of Review | Best Supporting Actor | Won | Brokeback Mountain |
| 2006 | MTV Movie Awards | Best Performance | Won | |
| Best Kiss | Won | |||
| Screen Actors Guild | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
| Best Ensemble | Nominated | |||
| Critics' Choice Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
| BAFTA | Best Supporting Actor | Won | ||
| Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
| Satellite Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lead Actor | Nominated | Jarhead | ||
| National Arts Awards | Young Artist Award for Artistic Excellence | Won |
References
- Pronounced Jill-en-hall ].
- Whitaker, Tad (December 27 2006), Inverness fire engulfs lodge, Manka's eatery, Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved January 6, 2006.
- Cite error: The named reference
Jakesprogresswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - Sumi, Glen (December 12 2005), Jake Gyllenhaal, Now Magazine. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Applebaum, Stephen (27 January 2006), "Love and War", Netribution. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Lindall, Anders Smith, (May, 2005), "Rilo Kiley:Prime Time", Harp Magazine. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Sydney Morning Herald (July 21 2004), "Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal split". Retrieved on September 19, 2006.
- Glamour Magazine (2001), "G-Guys" Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Nichols, Kara (September 21 2004), "Celebrities rally voters", The Daily Trojan. Retrieved September 19 2006.
- Pelleymounter, Alison (October 28 2004), "Star of Donnie Darko visits EC", The Spectator. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Mottram, James (December 11 2005), "Jake’s Progress", Sunday Herald. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- ACLU Official Statement (May 15 2003),"Celebrities Speak out for Civil Rights". Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Dennis Van Tine, Jen Lowery, Bennett Marcus (October 4 2005), "ACLU Freedom Concert", Open all night. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Foley, Jack (2003), "The Day After Tomorrow - Jake Gyllenhaal Q&A", Indie London. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Curry, Carolann (May 27 2004), "2004: The year of Jake Gyllenhaal", Youth Quake magazine. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Eilperin, Juliet (April 26 2005), "Ice Crusade", Washington Post. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Spectral Productions Inc. (April 21 & April 22, 2005), Arctic Wisdom. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Femalefirst (2006), "Carpenter Jake Gyllenhaal". Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Eimer, David (May 23 2004), "Jake's Progress", The Times. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
- Denizet-Lewis, Benoit, "Jake", Details. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
External links
Listen to this article(2 parts, 21 minutes)
These audio files were created from a revision of this article dated Error: no date provided, and do not reflect subsequent edits.(Audio help · More spoken articles)| Preceded byClive Owen for Closer |
BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role 2006 for Brokeback Mountain |
Succeeded byAlan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine |
| Brokeback Mountain | |
|---|---|
| Based on the short story by Annie Proulx | |
| Characters | |
| Music | |
| Other | |
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