Jake G's Spot

- Get Your Own





- Get Your Own













Jake, whose full name is Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal, was born and raised in Los Angelos, California. He was born on December 19, 1980. It isn't surprising that Jake broke into show business - it runs in the family. Jake's father is director Stephen Gyllenhaal, and his mother is screen writer Naomi Foner. Jake's older sister Maggie Gyllenhaal* is also an actress - she appeared with Jake in A Dangerous Woman, which was directed by their father, as well as Donnie Darko, in which they played siblings. (Awww...how sweet)





Jake states that he has wanted to be an actor since he was five years old, when he would stand on a bed impersonating Bruce Springstein. While still in school, Jake took acting lessons, and appeared in school plays, including playing the role of Fagan in Oliver Twist in second grade. While attending Harvard-Westlake High School in North Hollywood it is rumored that he was in the choir. Jake also was in a band called Hole Shot, which played at places such as the Roxy and the Whiskey a go-go, until it's 1998 break-up. Jake continues to write and play music.




Jake attended Columbia University in New York City, NY, for his freshman and sophomore years of college, in 1998-2000. Jake said at the time, "I'm majoring in Eastern Religions, but I have to take the [required] curriculum first, so at this point I'm taking a lot of English classes, modern poetry, and English Literature." Also, "I find as a student I almost never eat." However, in an interview at college, Jake was found eating Doritos, and drinking berry Snapple. Maybe not exactly nutritious, but still a good snack!




Jake started his acting career at a very young age, and has shown audiences around the world his amazing talent through his many critically acclaimed performances. At the mere age of 10 he played opposite Billy Crystal in the hit film City Slickers, as his son. Later he appeared in such films as Josh and S.A.M and Dangerous Women. In 1998 Jake got his first starring role playing Homer Hickam, an aspiring rocket scientist in the uplifting movie October Sky.

Later on he did many other films and starred opposite many well respected actors such as Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Aniston, John C. Reilly, Dennis Quaid and many more. With such films as the cult epic Donnie Darko and the blockbuster hit The Day After Tomorrow, Jake has shown his diversity in the roles that he chooses. This is a rarity in today's young Hollywood.

In 2005 Jake starred in 3 critically acclaimed movies, starting with Proof, in which he starred along side Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow, Brokeback Mountain (winner of 3 Academy Awards) a heart wrenching love story between two cowboys during the 1960-70's, and Jarhead a "war" movie alongside Jamie Foxx. Jake even recieved an Academy Award nomination (Supporting Actor) for his work in Brokeback Mountain. Up next for him in 2006, is the thriller Zodiac, a movie about the San Francisco 'Zodiac' killer in which he plays detective Robert Graysmith. The film is directed by David Fincher (Se7en) and is set to release in the Fall.

Jake's other projects include theater. In 2002 he starred alongside Hayden Christensen and Anna Paquin in the London West-End play "This Is Our Youth". For his performance he won the 'Outstanding Newcomer' award in the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Acting isn't the only thing Jake is passionate about. He is an active supporter in such organizations such as Rock The Vote, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Future Forests! Jake is one of those unique actors with pure talent and a very down to earth personality. Quoting Mr. Gyllenhaal himself "I don't pick projects because I'm, like, "Oh my God, thats an amazing role." I pick projects because of what it's trying to say- I want to be a part of it, for the message."






Jake G. TRIVIA

Jake got his first kiss in the parking lot of a bowling alley in the 8th grade.

Jake's first car was an 1990 maroon Volvo.

He got a driving lesson from family friend Paul Newman.

His dog's name is Atticus after a character in one of his favorite books To Kill A Mockingbird.

Jake is said to be a wonderful cook and he owns many cooking books, magazines and loves to cook for his friends and family.

His fans call themselves "Gyllenhaalics"



Jake was nominated for an Academy Award (Supporting Actor,2005) for his work in Brokeback Mountain and won a BAFTA award for the same role as Jack Twist.

Jake's "unofficial" Godmother is Jamie Lee Curtis.

Jake favorite way to exercise is biking.

He likes Rufus Wainright.

His favorite color is green.

He wears contacts.

He attended Columbia University but dropped out after his sophomore year back in May 2000 to pursue his acting career.

He bought his then girlfriend, Kirsten Dunst a white and grey kitten for her 22nd birthday.

Jake's mom Naomi Foner, gave Jake a ring that reads "Mine the darkness and see by the path you leave behind." Jake says that ring is very special to him.

Jake dated Kirsten Dunst for nearly 2 years but they brokeup in July 2004. They have been spotted again in 2005 but claimed to be just "good friends".

He is very politically smart and is involved in such organizations like ACLU and Rock the Vote.

He used to be in a band called "Holeshot" but Jake got kicked out after dating the drummer's girlfriend. Jake says that he was the lead singer and they played "bad music".

Jake was considered for the role that Ewan McGregor played in Moulin Rouge but Jake was the youngest to audition so he didn't get the part.

Jake was up for the part of Bruce Wayne (Batman) in the new Batman movie, Batman Begins. But a poll on the Warner Brothers website basically determined who would be the next batman with Christian Bale having the most votes.

He hosted the 2003 Sundance Film Festival Awards alongside Zooey Deschane,l where he danced and sang on stage.

It was rumored for a while that Jake was up for the part as Superman in the new Superman movie (2006) but the director wanted someone who was more unknown so they chose Brandon Routh for the role.

Jake's family has a house at Martha's Vineyard.

He went to Elementary school with the guys from Maroon 5 whom he is still friends with today.

Jake was rumored to be dating such celebrities like Natalie Portman, Jenny Lewis and even Chelsea Clinton.

He worked as a Lifeguard when he was younger and even had to pee on someone's leg after they got a jellyfish sting.

Jake thinks the sexiest part of a women is to see the back of her neck or a little glimpse of her collarbone.

Jake now drives a Mercedes.

He claims Jennifer Aniston was his best on-screen kiss ever

He loves Harry Potter.

His production company is called "Nine Stories".

Jake first caught the acting bug watching Ed Wood, Tim Burton's 1994 biopic of the awful-movie maestro starring Johnny Depp.

When he was younger He got many parts even in the movie "The Mighty Ducks" but his parents wouldn't let him do it and he was very angry with them. Now he says "In the end, I thank them to high heaven that I didn't do the things I got."

When asked if he was "unfazed by being part of the "50 Hottest Bachelors" thing in People or one of the "Hottest men under 25" Jake simply replied "I love that shit."

During a powerful scene in Jarhead, Jake actually knocked out his own tooth because he pulled to hard on a rifle. He said he looked down and saw his tooth but kept going on with the scene. He and his co-star Brian Geraghty didn't talk for about 3 weeks after the incident.

Jake was once arrested by the rent-a-cops at a Beverley Hills mall because he was dared to go into a Speedo's store, put on a speedo (bathing suit) and walk out of the store leaving his clothes behind.

He was once a house (that lit up) and a Ocean's Spray cranberry juice box for Halloween when he was younger.

When asked to comment on his infamous "santa hat dance" in Jarhead, Jake said it's nothing "abnormal" because he "enjoys being naked".

He likes music from Death Cab For Cutie, U2, 50 Cent, Kanye West and Jamie Foxx.

Jake apparently drove Jarhead co-star Peter Sarsgaard crazy because he kept playing the same U2 and 50 Cent (Candy Shop) song over and over again.

He recently just adopted a small puppy (a puggle) and named him Boo after Boo Radley from the book "To Kill a Mocking Bird"

Jake's signature sunglasses are from the brand called BLINDE

He ran, swam, biked and did 500 push ups a day to bulk up for his role in Jarhead.

He likes woodwork and he even made a mahogany-cedar table for his mom.

He used to be a bus-boy at a fancy restaurant and was "a damn good bus-boy" at that!

Jake loves to watch the Food Network shows like "Molto Mario" and "The Iron Chef".

He is the God father to Brokeback Mountain co-stars, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams' baby Matilda Rose.

He is an avid cyclist and has been seen recently bike riding with his "inspiration", 7 time Tour de France winner - Lance Armstrong.




Jake G. QUOTES

Right out of the box, Conan asked about the famous "Santa hat" scene from Jarhead. "Powerful scene," Conan joked.

"I show a little ass, so people respond to that somewhere. ... I enjoy being naked," Jake said.

Umm, yes, Jake. I, for one, know where I respond to it ( that's me, not Jake speaking... )

"First, it's 'Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?,' then it's 'Get me Jake Gyllenhaal,' then 'Get me someone who looks like Jake Gyllenhaal,' and then 'Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?'...Right now, I'm between 'Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?' and 'Get me Jake Gyllenhaal.'" [Gyllenhaal on the stages of fame in Hollywood]

"If you're going to dive in, dive into the deep end."
"Being a star doesn't last. That's not what life should be about. It's a complete illusion that really has nothing to do with you. For me, finding out about life is the most important thing." (1999, Raygun)

"I admire actors and artists who devote just as much time to their life as they do to their work."

"... We use lines like " Love has no bounds," but that's become bulls***. For me, this is a story where that might actually be true. Hopefully." [Jake on the story of Brokeback Mountain]

"Hey, I was arrogant at times with him. And I was confused at times, and I hope, at least, humble at times. I mean, I'd just got run down in my own life so there was nothing else I could give but what I was feeling." [Jake on his relationship with Heath Ledger on the movie Brokeback Mountain, Elle Magazine]

"Well, I don't pick projects because I'm, like, "Oh my God, thats an amazing role." I pick projects because of what it's trying to say- I want to be a part of it, for the message." [Vitals Magazine]

"...Take a movie like Donnie Darko, which I always believed in. I just always fucking believed in it, the collaboration and the process of making it, and it completely paid off for me." [Vitals Magazine]

"I play a mathematician, which is ridiculous because I am horrible at math." [Jake talking about his role as Hal in Proof)

"In a perfect world, I would love to do one play for every three movies."

"I love to cook, I obsessed with cooking magazines." [Vitals Magazine]

"I want to have a happy life, first and foremost. I think that will lead to a successful career." [Teen Vogue]

"But I've always had her to look up to and to learn from. And in Hollywood, a touchstone like that is pretty priceless - especially when I see how envy can really poison people in the business." [Jake talking about Maggie, Teen Vogue]

"I would really like people to know how to pronounce my last name. Correctly. Everywhere." [Jake's last quote in GQ magazine, btw its pronounced jill-en-hall]

"Don't listen to what anybody says except the people who encourage you. If it's what you want to do and it's within yourself, then keep going and try to do it for the rest of your life."

"I have and abstract mind. It doesn't fit everywhere, but it fits in the world of performing."

"I'm just trying to do interesting, challenging work, and hoping that people-especially young people- will want to see it."


Jake G. ACCOLADES

YoungStar Awards

1999 NOMINATED | Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Drama Film for October Sky (1999)



Young Artist Awards

2000 NOMINATED | Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor
for October Sky (1999)



Young Hollywood Awards

2002 WON | Breakthrough Performance - Male



Independent Spirit Awards

2002 NOMINATED | Best Male Lead for Donnie Darko (2001)



Teen Choice Awards

2003 NOMINATED | Choice Movie Breakout Star - Male for The Good Girl (2002)
NOMINATED | Choice Movie Liplock for The Good Girl (2002)


Shared with Jennifer Aniston



Golden Satellite Awards

2003 NOMINATED | Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical for The Good Girl (2002)



DVD Exclusive Awards

2003 NOMINATED | Best Actor for Highway (2002)



IFTA Awards

2004 NOMINATED | Best International Actor for The Day After Tomorrow (2004)



2005 Maui Film Festival

2005 RECIEVED| Shining Star Award



Gotham Awards

2005 NOMINATED|Best Ensemble Cast for Brokeback Mountain



National Board of Review, USA

2005 WON| NBR Award for Best Supporting Actor (Brokeback Mountain)



Satellite Awards

2005 NOMINATED| Best Actor: Jarhead and Best Supporting Actor: Brokeback Mountain



Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards

2006 NOMINATED| Best Supporting Actor for Brokeback Mountain



BAFTA Awards

2006 WON| Best Supporting Actor for Brokeback Mountain



Online Film Critics Society Awards

2006 NOMINATED| Best Supporting Actor for Brokeback Mountain



Screen Actors Guild Awards

2006 NOMINATED| Best Supporting Actor for Brokeback Mountain and Best Ensemble Cast for Brokeback Mountain

Academy Awards

2006 NOMINATED| Best Supporting Actor for Brokeback Mountain

2006 MTV Movie Awards

2006 WON| Best On Screen Kiss (Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain)
WON| Best Performance (Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain)