Jake Gyllenhaal: Latest news, bio & photos

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Jake Gyllenhaal: Snapshot

Name Jake Gyllenhaal
Date of Birth December 19, 1980
Birth Place Los Angeles, California, USA
Birth Name Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal
Star Sign Sagittarius
Height 6' (1.83 m)
Occupation Actor

Raised by mother, Naomi Foner, a screenwriter/producer and father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, it is no surprise that Jake has become a great success in the film industry. He began his acting career at the age of 11 (1991), where he played Billy Crystal's son in 'City Slickers'. From this he started gaining public recognition with parts in movies such as 'October Sky' (1999) and then starred in 'Donnie Darko' (2001). It was his role in 'Donnie Darko' that got him nominated for an Independent Spiritual Award for best actor at this time. Other major films which he played roles in were Walt Disney's 'Bubble Boy', 'The Good Girl' (staring Jennifer Anniston) and the Blockbuster fiction 'The Day After Tomorrow'.

Theatre is another passion of Jake's where he made his debut in London starring in 'This is Our Youth'. Jake then led on to star in popular films such as 'Brokeback Mountain' (2005), which won numerous global awards. Jake worked alongside well known Australian Actor Heath Ledger, who has passed away since the filming of 'Brokeback Mountain'. He was very close to Heath and is the godfather of his daughter Matilda Rose Ledger.

Jakes most well known relationship was that with actress Kristen Dunst. He owns two dogs, a Puggle and a German Shephard, which he named, 'Boo Radley' and 'Atticus' after his favourite book - 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Jake is close friends with the guys from Maroon 5, as he attended school with some of them. He is known for his trademark greeny-blue eyes and is of Russian-Jewish and Swedish descent. In fact, by descent, Jake is a Swedish nobleman. This is proven by Jake being listed in the Swedish Almanac of Nobility.