Jake Gyllenhaal Biography

- Jake dropped out of Columbia University after two years of study in 2002 to pursue his acting career.

- He is of noble Swedish and Russian-Jewish descent.

- Jake’s very first driving lesson was with acting legend, Paul Newman. No news on if he was good enough to secure a second one with the star!

- In 2002, he picked up the London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer for his performance in ‘This is Our Youth’ at the Garrick Theatre.

- Jake narrowly missed out on the lead roles in 'Spiderman', 'Batman Begins' and 'Moulin Rouge'.

- Was at school with the members of American band ‘Maroon 5’.

- His two dogs have names taken from his favourite book – ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. They are Atticus and Boo.

- Did you know that Jake used to work as a lifeguard? Whilst he never actually saved anyone from drowning, he once urinated on a swimmer’s leg after a jellyfish stung them.

- His unofficial Godmother is Jamie Lee Curtis.

- He is the Godfather of Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams' daughter, Matilda Rose.