Where Did Jake Gyllenhaal Grow Up? | The US Sun

The US Sun

More from The Sun

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

LOS Angeles native, Jake Gyllenhaal grew up in a creative household alongside his sister, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The siblings both attended Columbia University before moving into the film industry and becoming a Hollywood staple.

Sign up for the Entertainment and TV newsletter

Thank you!

Email address

Please provide a valid email.

Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy

You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email.

Jake Gyllenhaal dropped out of Columbia University to pursue acting

Where is Jake Gyllenhaal from?

Jacob ‘Jake’ Benjamin Gyllenhaal grew up in Los Angeles in the 1980s in a successful family who was already renowned in Hollywood.

Advertisement

Both of Jake’s parents, Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Foner were a part of the film industry before he broke into acting.

His father, Stephen, is a director and his mom, Naomi, is a producer and screenwriter. He grew up alongside his older sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is also an actress and film producer.

READ MORE ON THE US SUN

BROKEBACK BREAKUPS

From Kirsten Dunst to Taylor Swift: Meet Jake Gyllenhaal's exes

SWEET DISPOSITION

Everything we know about Gyllenhaal's girlfriend, Jeanne Cadieu

Why did Jake Gyllenhaal wait to pursue acting?

Jake and Maggie were told early on they weren’t to pursue acting until and unless they committed to trying college.

This directive led Jake to attend Columbia University where he studied eastern religion and philosophy although his college career didn’t last.

At 20 years old, Jake heard of auditions for Bubble Boy and without knowing if he would get the role, he decided it was time to solely pursue acting.

Most read in Celebrity

WE'LL FIND HER

Chilling clues in Nancy Guthrie case after years-long search for our sons

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows : Puerto Rican musician Willie Colon arrives to attend the 18th annual Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) award show in New York, Image 2 shows Willie Colon Obit, Image 3 shows Willie Colon STAR GONE

Salsa star dies aged 75 as Bad Bunny leads tributes to ‘renowned musician’

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Eric Dane and Janell Shirtcliff at the premiere of the Amazon Prime Video series 'Countdown' MEMORY LANE

Eric Dane's girlfriend breaks silence on his death after devastating ALS battle

RATA ROMANCE

Emily Ratajkowski wows in raunchy dress as she confirms romance with Dua's ex

After two years at Columbia, Jake set off for the audition where he landed the role of Jimmy Livingston.

He ended up landing five movie roles in what was supposed to have been his junior year of college.

“It was hard for my parents to accept my decision at first,” Jake told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in 2001 after landing the role.

Advertisement

“After all, my sister (Maggie Gyllenhaal) had just graduated from Columbia, and they were so proud of her.

“But my sophomore year was a tough year for me, both emotionally and intellectually,” he said.

“I felt slightly schizophrenic because I was trying to live a regular college life, but I also wanted to be creative.”

At the time, then-20-year-old Jake told the Sun-Sentinel, “Maybe I’ll go back to school someday, but for now, I think I made a good call.”

Now 41 years old, Jake never returned to school, but instead became a household name in movies that include the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001), Brokeback Mountain (2005), and Nightcrawler (2015).

Advertisement
Jake Gyllenhaal was in Brokeback Mountain and the cult classic film Donnie DarkoCredit: Getty – Contributor

Does Jake Gyllenhaal have any upcoming movies?

Jake has an increasingly busy schedule according to his film credits on IMDB. The filmography site says Jake finished filming the movie Ambulance which is set to be released in 2022.

He is also in pre-production for six movies including:

  • The Division, The Son
  • Suddenly
  • Prophet
  • Francis and the Godfather
  • Combat Control

The Division is the only film in pre-production to have been scheduled to be released in 2022.

Another four movies starring Jake were announced including:

Advertisement

RECOMMENDED STORIES

  • The Anarchists vs ISIS
  • Snow Blind
  • Rio
  • Finest Kind

The TV mini-series, Lake Success, was also announced starring Jake in the role of Barry Cohen.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU MORE FOR YOU

MORE FROM THE SUN

SICK VID

Wiz Khalifa punches his son 13 times in stomach in sick 'birthday tradition'

In the shocking clip shared to his stories, the 38-year-old lands a series of blows on his son Sebastian who grimaces and tries to grab the wall behind him to brace for the impact.

Entertainment Exclusive

WE'LL FIND HER

Chilling clues in Nancy Guthrie case after years-long search for our sons

AS the kidnapping of Guthrie, 84, enters a dire fourth week, investigators have continued to comb through the desert terrain in Tucson, Arizona, for any leads that could crack open the case that has captivated the country.

Entertainment

STAR GONE

Salsa star dies aged 75 as Bad Bunny leads tributes to ‘renowned musician’

HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for the musical pioneer - with Bad Bunny calling the star 'one of the legends who contributed to this beautiful and legendary genre'

Entertainment

RATA ROMANCE

Emily Ratajkowski wows in raunchy dress as she confirms romance with Dua's ex

MODEL Emily Ratajkowski, pictured in a revealing structured dress, has posted pictures on Instagram of her with French film and music video director Romain Gavras, 44.

Entertainment

Tag » Where Is Jake Gyllenhaal From