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Jake Gyllenhaal Biography

By Rebecca Murray, About.com

Jake Gyllenhaal at the World Premiere of "Jarhead"

Photo © Richard Chavez
Jake Gyllenhaal's Birthday: December 19, 1980
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, CA
Jake's Famous Parents Are: His mother is producer/screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal and his father is director Stephen Gyllenhaal.
Interesting Family Fact: Jake and his sister Maggie played siblings in writer/director Richard Kelly's cult fav, "Donnie Darko."
How to Pronounce His Last Name: It's pronounced Jill-en-hall and his full name is Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal.
His Big Screen Debut: Came in 1991 playing Billy Crystal's son in "City Slickers."
Breakthrough Role:
Probably "October Sky" although an argument could be made that it was really "Donnie Darko."
Jake Gyllenhaal's Filmography:
Updated November 2005

"City Slickers" (1991)

"A Dangerous Woman" (1993)

"Josh and S.A.M." (1993)

"Homegrown" (1998)

"October Sky" (1999)

"Donnie Darko" (2001)

"Bubble Boy" (2001)

"Lovely & Amazing" (2001)

"The Good Girl" (2002)

"Highway" (2002)

"Moonlight Mile" (2002)

"Proof" (2005)

"Jarhead" (2005)

"Brokeback Mountain" (2005)

"Chronicles" (2006)

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