Real Name: Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal

Nationality: American

Height: 6'

Hair: Dark Brown

Eyes: Blue / Green

Born: December 19, 1980 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Discovered: Son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, Jake attended Harvard-Westlake (private) high school and moved on to Columbia University, but dropped out after two years. Jake ended up working as a lifeguard.

Despite having roles in films like City Slickers, and A Dangerous Woman, Jake has only recently shot to A-list status with his roles in 2004's hit The Day After Tomorrow, the critically acclaimed Jarhead and the risky role as Heath Ledger's lover in Brokeback Mountain.

Resume: Zodiac (2006)

Jarhead (2005)

Proof (2005)

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers (2005)

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Moonlight Mile (2002) Highway (2002/I)

The Good Girl (2002)

Lovely & Amazing (2001) Bubble Boy (2001)

Donnie Darko (2001)

October Sky (1999)

Homegrown (1998)

Josh and S.A.M. (1993)

A Dangerous Woman (1993)

Romance: Sister Maggie Gyllenhaal introduced him to Kirsten Dunst. Jake and Kirsten dated, but broke up in July 2004.

Quotes: "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." - Jake Gyllenhaal

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." Jake Gyllenhaal

"I admire actors and artists who devote just as much time to their life as they do to their work." - Jake Gyllenhaal

"In a perfect world, I would love to do one play for every three movies." - Jake Gyllenhaal

"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." - Jake Gyllenhaal

"Coming from a family where my mom is a writer, I just respond to how people speak." - Jake Gyllenhaal