Jake Gyllenhaal - Biography

In a nutshell

Jake's a good looking, all-American actor who captured the hearts of angst teenagers in 'Donnie Darko' and brought in a whole new legion of fans after his performance in Brokeback Mountain.

Born to a director father and screenwriter mother, Jake started acting aged just 10. And we're glad he did, because he's gradually developed into one of our favourite actors ? and it's not just because he got his top off in 'Jarhead'...

Keeping it 'real', Jake worked as a lifeguard and in a restaurant was he was young in order to earn some cash to keep himself going. Because his family had pretty good connections, it seemed an easy move for him to go into film-making.

His first major role came in October Sky, released in 1999. But he really caught the attention of his new, adoring fans when he took on the lead role in Donnie Darko. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't ruin this movie for you ? we still don't get it. It's brilliant, but we don't get it. Can anybody help?!

Not content will films, Jake hot-footed it over to London to give acting on stage a go. And it was well received. His role in This Is Our Youth earned him a 'Best Newcomer' award from the Evening Standard.

Next up is that infamous 'Gay Cowboy Movie', as it was annoyingly referred to in the press. A huge smash around the world, Brokeback Mountain reached new audiences and the sterling performances from both Jake, and his late co-star Heath Ledger, were appreciated far beyond a simply gay audience.

We don't do posters on our bedroom walls any more but, if we did, Jake would definitely be up there. And we'd have made sure to pick out the magazine staples as carefully as we could. Lets be honest, he could get his pick of the ladies but, most recently, has been spotted on the arm of Reece Wetherspoon ? although they haven't admitted to being in a relationship.

The acting bug certainly runs through the family. Most recently you can spot Jake's sister, Maggie, in the biggest film of the last few years ? The Dark Knight. But close your eyes towards the end if you don't want to see her being..... oh, we won't spoil the surprise.

Did you know?

The little puppy that Jake adopted was given the name Boo, after the character in Jake's favourite book, To Kill A Mockingbird.