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Jake Gyllenhaal

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BIO

Gyllenhaal is an American actor who has worked prolifically on screen and stage in a career spanning over thirty years. Born into the Gyllenhaal family, he is the son of film director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, and the younger brother of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. He began acting as a child, making his acting debut in City Slickers (1991), followed by roles in his father's films A Dangerous Woman (1993) and Homegrown (1998). His breakthrough roles were as Homer Hickam in the biographical drama film October Sky (1999) and as a psychologically troubled teenager in the thriller film Donnie Darko (2001). Gyllenhaal expanded to big-budget films with a starring role in the 2004 disaster film The Day After Tomorrow.



Gyllenhaal played Jack Twist in Ang Lee's 2005 romantic drama Brokeback Mountain, for which he won a BAFTA Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. His career progressed with starring roles in the thriller Zodiac (2007), the romantic comedy Love & Other Drugs (2010), and the science fiction film Source Code (2011). Further acclaim came with his roles in Denis Villeneuve's thrillers Prisoners (2013) and Enemy (2013), and he received nominations for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performances as a manipulative journalist in Nightcrawler (2014) and a troubled writer in Nocturnal Animals (2016). His highest-grossing release came with the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), in which he portrayed Mysterio. After playing a supporting role in the drama Wildlife (2018), Gyllenhaal starred in action or thriller projects, including the films The Guilty (2021), Ambulance (2022) and Road House (2024), as well as the series Presumed Innocent (2024).

Gyllenhaal has performed on stage, starring in a West End production of the play This Is Our Youth (2002) and Broadway productions of the musical Sunday in the Park with George (2017) as well as the plays Constellations (2014) and Sea Wall/A Life (2019), the lattermost of which earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Aside from acting, he is vocal about political and social issues.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2025
Iago

[London]
2020 West End Revival, 2020
George

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Abe

[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Off-Broadway Production, 2019
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2017
Georges Seurat, George

[New York]
New York City Center Concert Gala, 2016
George

[Off-Broadway]
City Center Encores Off-Center Production, 2015
Seymour Krelborn

[Broadway]
Broadway Premiere, 2014
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Production, 2012
Terry


Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jake Gyllenhaal, Sea Wall/A Life

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Jake Gyllenhaal, Sea Wall/A Life

Drama League Awards - 2019 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jake Gyllenhaal, A Life

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Jake Gyllenhaal, A Life

Drama League Awards - 2015 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jake Gyllenhaal, Constellations

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jake Gyllenhaal, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet

The Lortels - 2013 - Outstanding Featured Actor

Jake GyllenhaalIf There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer

Jake GyllenhaalThis Is Our Youth

Videos

News


Denzel Washington is Suffering From a Tongue Injury Ahead of Broadway Return in OTHELLO
by Stephi Wild - Feb 10, 2025

Denzel Washington is returning to Broadway this month. However, Washington has revealed that he has been struggling ahead of his Broadway return due to a tongue injury that has made it difficult to talk.
CONSTELLATIONS by Nick Payne Set for Rubicon Theatre Company Beginning This Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Feb 8, 2025

Rubicon Theatre will continue its 2024/2025 Dare to Dream Season with the Central Coast premiere of CONSTELLATIONS, a romantic drama by Award-winning playwright Nick Payne.
Photos: In Rehearsals for OTHELLO, Starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 27, 2025

Shakespeare's Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, is now in rehearsals. Check out behind the scenes photos here!
OUR TOWN Plays Final Broadway Performance
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 19, 2025

Our Town will play its final performance at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre following 26 previews and 117 regular performances. The venue will soon be home to Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal.
25 Broadway People to Watch in 2025
by Sidney Paterra - Jan 5, 2025

Who should you keep your eye on as the spring season begins and awards season approaches? Check out our list of just 25 performers and creatives to watch out for in the new year! ​ ​
Waterbury's Palace Theater and The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra To Celebrate Broadway Scores
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 20, 2024

On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm join the Palace Theater and the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra for an exciting night of beautiful music and fond memories, celebrating 20 years of Broadway musicals at the Palace Theater!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 19, 2024
by - Dec 19, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is December 19, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango & Greg Nobile to be Honored at NYTW's 2025 Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 18, 2024

New York Theatre Workshop's 2025 Gala will honor Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile. Learn more and see how to attend.
Best Broadway Shows in 2025- What's Coming!
by Sidney Paterra - Dec 13, 2024

Looking for what the best shows to see in 2025 on Broadway will be? Our editors have rounded up info on all of the Broadway productions which have revealed full details of their upcoming engagements. Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2025 including plays, musicals, revivals, new shows and of course - stars!
ROMEO + JULIET, OTHELLO, and More Selected For J.P. Morgan's 2025 NextList
by Stephi Wild - Nov 26, 2024

 J.P. Morgan has unveiled its NextList2025, spotlighting four Broadway productions that are set to open in the coming year. Find out what shows made this year's list here!
Denzel Washington & James L. Nederlander to be Honored at The Entertainment Community Fund Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2024

The Entertainment Community Fund will host its Annual Gala, The evening will celebrate Tony Award winner and Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Theater Owner and Producer James L. Nederlander. Learn how to attend.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 13, 2024
by - Nov 13, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 13, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Denzel Washington Plans to Star in OTHELLO Film Before Retirement
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 12, 2024

Denzel Washington is only a few movies away from retiring. On a recent visit to Australia's Today Show to promote Gladiator II, the acting legend shared some of his next films, which include at least one big-screen Shakespeare adaptation. 
OTHELLO Starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Finds Full Cast
by Stephi Wild - Nov 12, 2024

The complete cast has been announced for Shakespeare's Othello, starring Tony Award winner and two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Tony Award nominee and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal.
Video: Kandi Burruss Shares Why She Joined OTHELLO as a Producer
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 4, 2024

Following producing duties in The Piano Lesson and The Wiz, multi-hyphenate Kandi Burruss is taking on Shakespeare. Along with her husband Todd Tucker, the performer is lending her producing skills to Broadway's upcoming revival of Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. Watch her discuss the project on Live with Kelly and Mark!
PROOF Is Next Up at Franklin Performing Arts Company
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 31, 2024

The four person play features New York actors Ali Funkhouser as Catherine, Robbie Rescigno as Hal, Lindsey White as Claire, and FPAC’s Nick Paone as Robert.
Andrew Burnap, Anthony Michael Lopez, and More Join OTHELLO
by Stephi Wild - Oct 31, 2024

The upcoming revival of Shakespeare's Othello has found its cast, joining previously announced Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. Check out who will join the lineup here!
THE GHOST TRAP, Starring Greer Grammer, Zak Steiner, & More Set for Theatrical Release
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 19, 2024

THE GHOST TRAP, featuring Greer Grammer, Zak Steiner, Steven Ogg, and Sarah Catherine Hook, will be released in theaters and available for digital streaming across North America on November 1, 2024.
Max Chernin & Talia Suskauer Will Lead PARADE On Tour
by Joshua Wright - Sep 19, 2024

BroadwayWorld has learned that Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer will lead the tour of Broadway revival of Parade as Leo and Lucille Frank, which will tour in 2025.
Kelsey Grammer Remembers Working With James Earl Jones in OTHELLO
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 16, 2024

Kelsey Grammer recently appeared on SiriusXM's The Spotlight with Jessica Shaw where he recalled working with the late James Earl Jones. The two actors appeared together in the 1982 Broadway production of Shakespeare's Othello.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jake Gyllenhaal been in?

Jake Gyllenhaal has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Jake Gyllenhaal been in?

Jake Gyllenhaal has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Jake Gyllenhaal been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Sea Wall/A Life, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Sea Wall/A Life, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for A Life, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Life, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Constellations, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet, Outstanding Featured Actor (The Lortels) for If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet and Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer (Evening Standard Awards) for This Is Our Youth.

What awards has Jake Gyllenhaal won?

Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer (Evening Standard Awards) for This Is Our Youth.

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