Jake Gyllenhaal, born Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal on December 19, 1980, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actor and producer. He comes from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry, with his father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, being a director, and his mother, Naomi Foner, a screenwriter.

His sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, is also an accomplished actress. Jake began acting at a young age, making his debut in the film City Slickers in 1991. He continued to take on roles in his father's films, such as A Dangerous Woman in 1993 and Homegrown in 1998.

His breakthrough came with the biographical drama October Sky in 1999, where he played Homer Hickam, a young man aspiring to become a rocket scientist. This role was followed by his critically acclaimed performance as a troubled teenager in the cult classic Donnie Darko in 2001.

His career expanded to include a variety of genres, from the disaster film The Day After Tomorrow in 2004 to the romantic drama Brokeback Mountain in 2005. His portrayal of Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain earned him a BAFTA Award and an Academy Award nomination.

He continued to take on diverse roles, starring in the thriller Zodiac in 2007, the romantic comedy Love & Other Drugs in 2010, and the science fiction film Source Code in 2011. His performances in Denis Villeneuve's thrillers Prisoners and Enemy in 2013 further solidified his reputation as a versatile actor.

He received critical acclaim for his role as a manipulative journalist in Nightcrawler in 2014, earning nominations for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. He also starred in the psychological thriller Nocturnal Animals in 2016 and the biographical drama Stronger in 2017, where he portrayed Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman.

In addition to his film career, Jake Gyllenhaal has performed on stage, starring in a West End production of This Is Our Youth in 2002 and Broadway productions of Sunday in the Park with George in 2017, Constellations in 2014, and Sea Wall/A Life in 2019.

His performance in Sea Wall/A Life earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. His highest-grossing film to date is the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019, where he played the villain Mysterio. He has also starred in action and thriller projects such as The Guilty in 2021, Ambulance in 2022, and Road House in 2024.

His personal life has often been the subject of media attention. He has been romantically linked to several high-profile celebrities, including Kirsten Dunst, Reese Witherspoon, and Taylor Swift. Since 2018, he has been in a relationship with French model Jeanne Cadieu.

The couple has kept their relationship relatively private, making their first joint red carpet appearance in 2021. Jake is known for his commitment to political and social issues, supporting organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Future Forests program. He is also an advocate for environmental sustainability and regularly recycles.

His lifestyle reflects his dedication to his craft and his personal interests. He follows a rigorous diet and workout routine, especially when preparing for physically demanding roles. For his role in the film Southpaw, he underwent an intense training regimen to portray a professional boxer.

He enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and has a passion for cooking. Despite his busy schedule, he values spending time with his family and close friends. Throughout his career, Jake has received numerous awards and nominations.

He won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Brokeback Mountain and has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and three Tony Awards. His performances in Nightcrawler and Nocturnal Animals earned him additional BAFTA nominations.