Top Facts & Quotes on Jake Gyllenhaal

- Jake’s first car was a 1990 maroon Volvo.
- Jake claims Jennifer Aniston was his best on-screen kiss ever.
- Jake thinks the sexiest part of a women is to see the back of her neck or a little glimpse of her collarbone.
- Jake had his first kiss in the eighth grade at a bowling alley.
- Jake once had a “driving lesson” from family friend Paul Newman. They were heading straight towards a brick wall when Paul hits the brakes and spins the wheel. He looked at Jake and said “Your fist lesson. Never do that.”
- Attended Columbia University but dropped out after his sophomore year back in May 2000.
- Son of Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Foner (actress and screenwriter).
- In 1998, Jake Graduated Harvard-Westlake (private) high school.
- Sister Maggie Gyllenhaal is an actress.
- Is of Swedish descent.

- Played brother to real life sister Maggie Gyllenhaal in their movie Donnie Darko

- His last name is pronounced Jill-en-hall.

- His fans refer to themselves as “Gyllenhaalics”.

- His sister, Maggie, introduced him to his ex-girlfriend, Kirsten Dunst.

- He was awarded the 2002 London Evening Standard Theate Award for Outstanding Newcomer for his performance in This is Our Youth at the Garrick Theatre in London, England.

- Was set to play Spiderman in Spiderman 2 due to complications with Tobey MaGuire. While he was preparing for the role, Maguire was back as Spiderman.

- Nephew of Eric Foner.

- Attended high school with “Freaks and Geeks” star, Jason Segel.

- Was named one of People Magazine’s 50 Hottest Bachelors (2004).

- Is close friends with Natalie Portman and Bryce Dallas Howard.

- Went to elementary school with band members of Maroon 5.

- On Phantom Planet’s album “The Guest”, lead singer Alex Greenwald lists him in his thank yous.

Quotes

“The truth is most of the films that make a lot of money no one remembers, and I’m not interested in making films that no one remembers.”

“Coming from a family where my mom is a writer, I just respond to how people speak.”

“Some movies you fall a step behind and some you stay in the same place, make the same choices. And then sometimes there are people who know more than you but show you, and that’s the maximum you can hope for – doing that with someone who says, “I like you for what you are, and I want you to be in my picture.” I didn’t have to fake it or put on a mask – all the resources I had inside me were more than adequate. I don’t want to pretend to be something … I’m not pretending any more to fit somebody’s mold. That’s a long-winded statement but – why not do what you really think, even if it’s a mistake?”

“You know, it’s flattering when there’s a rumor that says I’m bisexual. It means I can play more kinds of roles. 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.” (Details, December 2005)

“They would shoot a scene of me, and I was like ‘independing it’. They were like, ‘There are 800 extras behind you, dude, you gotta turn this way for the camera.”

“I excercise almost every day. I go to the gym every day, I run, I play sports, but not on the weekends.”

“Kirsten and I know what’s real and what’s not.”

“Everyone says ‘Pacino is my hero’, but when it comes to making a movie like this, Will Smith is my hero!”

“In a perfect world, I would love to do one play for every three movies.”

“Occasionally, I’d pick up the lifeguard buoy and run down the beach `Baywatch’-style, like something was actually happening.”

“Sometimes love is calm and easy and sometimes it’s just plain dirty.”

“Well, this movie did make me think more about recycling. But I do a terrible job, I drive a Mercedes. I contradict myself all over the place. I guess it’s just fun to goof around, doing action stuff.”

“Being a star doesn’t last. That’s not what life should be about. It’s a complete illusion that really has nothing to do with you. For me, finding out about life is the most important thing.”

On the one role that got away: “I’d have to say Ewan McGregor’s part in Moulin Rouge! (2001). It was soooo close. I sang and everything. I went through months of auditions. It was between me, Heath Ledger and Ewan. I think it came down to age and where people were in their careers. I was the youngest and the least known. I would hope it didn’t have anything to do with talent. Maybe it did”.

“I admire actors and artists who devote just as much time to their life as they do to their work.”

“First, it’s ‘Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?,’ then it’s ‘Get me Jake Gyllenhaal,’ then ‘Get me someone who looks like Jake Gyllenhaal,’ and then ‘Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?’…Right now, I’m between ‘Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?’ and ‘Get me Jake Gyllenhaal.’”