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Jake Gyllenhaal Career
Jake Gyllenhaal made his film debut at age eleven in City Slickers (1991) and began to establish himself as an up-and-coming actor in such films as October Sky (1999) before being cast in the title role in Donnie Darko (2001), for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best actor. Gyllenhaal's performance as a troubled psychotic won him excellent reviews and the film quickly acquired cult status. He played opposite Jennifer Aniston in another Sundance favourite in 2002's The Good Girl and once again earned good reviews. Gyllenhaal also starred in the Touchstone Pictures's romantic comedy, Bubble Boy. Loosely based on the story of David Vetter, the film portrays the title character's adventure outside the confines of his bubble as he goes after the woman he loves before she marries the wrong man. He also starred in the science fiction movie, The Day After Tomorrow (2004), which co-starred Dennis Quaid. The movie was considered a commentary on the possible effects of global warming, if they are continued to be ignored.
Marking his theatre debut, he appeared on the London stage with a starring role in Kenneth Lonergan's revival of This Is Our Youth. The play, which had been a critical sensation on Broadway, ran for eight weeks in London's West End. For his role, Gyllenhaal received an Evening Standard Theatre Award in the category of "Outstanding Newcomer."
Gyllenhaal and his sister Maggie appeared on an episode of Molto Mario (an Italian cooking show on the Food Network featuring Chef Mario Batali), apparently as regular guests and friends, rather than celebrities. He asked many questions, about which he expressed embarrassment during an interview on Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
His performance in Jarhead (2005) came as a surprise to critics and fans alike. Gyllenhaal played against type, displaying a markedly hostile masculinity as a violent Marine during the first Gulf War, while balancing this with the sensitive, vulnerable qualities of the lead character. Gyllenhaal was reportedly paid $6,000,000 for the role.
Brokeback Mountain (2005), which stars Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger as sheep herders who secretly fall in love in the 1960s won the coveted Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival (2005). The film went on to win four Golden Globes, four BAFTA Awards and three Academy Awards. It is officially the most honored film in cinematic history[3]. When asked for his thoughts on playing a character who falls in love with another man, Gyllenhaal replied that he believed that every man goes through a period where they have same sex attractions. However, he later told Details magazine, "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." On January 31, 2006, Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actor for this performance. He also won the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for the same role.
Jake Gyllenhaal has expressed some mixed feelings about the experience of being directed by Ang Lee on Brokeback Mountain, but overall has had more praise than criticism for his directing style. While he has had complaints about the way in which Lee tends to disconnect with his actors once filming has begun, he has also had much praise for other aspects of his filmmaking style, especially the in-depth preparations that Lee makes with the actors before filming begins, and the sensitivity with which he approaches the material in the film. At the Director's Guild of America awards on January 28, 2006, Gyllenhaal also praised Lee for "his humbleness and his respect for everyone around him."
When asked about the kissing scenes with Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain, Gyllenhaal stated that "As an actor, I think we need to embrace the times we feel most uncomfortable."
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| Jake Gyllenhaal Career |
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