Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal, of Jake Gyllenhaal as we know him, was born December 19th 1980 in Los Angeles, California. His father is the director Stephen Gyllenhaal and his mother is screenwriter Naomi Foner.

Jake made his film debut age eleven in City Slickers playing Billy Crystal's son. In the years that followed, Jake appeared in a handful of movies and television series, none of which gave any indication of the movie star he would later become.

His big break as an adult actor came when he was cast in the lead role in the cult movie Donnie Darko (2001). His performance brought Jake to the attention of Hollywood executives and a year later he was starring opposite Jennifer Anniston it the film The Good Girl (2002).

Jake appeared in his first blockbuster movie in 2004 when he was cast in the lead role in the disaster film The Day After Tomorrow.

In 2005, Jake gave his best performance to date in the critically acclaimed film Brokeback Mountain. His role as Jack Twist won Jake a BAFTA and numerous other awards.

Jake is the brother of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, who played his sister in the movie Donnie Darko.