NAME:Jake Gyllenhaal BIRTH DATE:December 19, 1980 (Age: 33) PLACE OF BIRTH:Los Angeles, California

Born Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal on December 19, 1980, in Los Angeles, California to director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter/producer Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, Jake Gyllenhaal and his older sister Maggie were destined to be on the big screen. He graduated from Harvard- Westlake High School and attended Columbia University in New York for a year before dropping out to focus on his acting career.

To separate himself from potentially entering his career as a child actor, Jake ruled out any and all teeny-bop films. He made his film debut at the age of eleven in City Slickers (1991) playing a minor role as Billy Crystal's son and starred in the softhearted, inspirational October Sky (1999). Jake received additional attention as an up and coming star with his portrayal of a sweet, approachable psychotic teenager in Drew Barrymore's Donnie Darko (2001), which led to his first Independent Spirit Award nomination. Jake's search for challenging, memorable characters led him to the role as Jennifer Aniston's love interest in Sundance Festival hit The Good Girl (2002) and Lovely & Amazing (2002). In 2004, Jake starred in his first big budget film alongside Dennis Quaid in the science fiction blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow.

Jake's big moment came when he starred in the critically acclaimed film Brokeback Mountain (2005), a love story of two cowboys fighting to keep apart, with the late Heath Ledger. In result of its success, the film won four Golden Globes, four BAFTA Awards, nominated for eight Academy Awards, and earned Jake a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination as well as the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival. Later that year, Jake made his theater debut in Kenneth Lonergan's revival of This Is Our Youth on the London stage. His authentic portrayal earned Jake an Evening Standard Theater Award. He then took on the role of an action-junkie Marine during Gulf War I in Jarhead (2005) with Jamie Foxx, which was well-received by critics and audiences worldwide.

In 2007, Jake appeared as a political cartoonist in the crime-thriller Zodiac, followed by Rendition (2007) opposite Reese Witherspoon. Jake shifted gears in 2010 and took on the role of a urchin-turned-hero in The Prince of Persia but returned to his classic portrayal of a lost individual in Love and Other Drugs (2010) with costar Anne Hathaway, and the action thriller Source Code (2011).

Jake's latest success came with the premiere of End of Watch (2012), a film focusing on the life of two LAPD officers as they battle local gangs and the cartel. Critics applauded Jake's portrayal of a cop who endures non-stop violence while developing a moral education.

Is Jake Gyllenhaal Gay?

Although Jake publicly dated Kristen Dunst, Taylor Swift, and Reese Witherspoon, baseless rumors still suggest he's gay, probably because he portrayed a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain (2005).

In 2011, Jake's best friend and singer Adam Levine put end to the speculation:

"Will everyone stop thinking that dude is gay? Seriously guys. How immature is it of the media to perceive this guy - it has to be because of Brokeback, right? I've known this dude forever. He's one of my oldest friends, and it's very weird that they have this - it's very immature and infantile the way they treat his whole situation. If him hanging out with his bros means he's gay, it's like further perpetuating that weird homophobia that exists in our culture, which is just stupid. So, yeah, he's my buddy. I fuckin' love the guy."

Jake Gyllenhaal Girlfriend & Dating History Timeline

2001

Jake and Rilo Kiley singer Jenny Lewis dated in 2001. The two attended the premier of Donnie Darko (2001).

2002 - 2004

Jake was introduced to Kristen Dunst through his sister Maggie, who costarred with Dunst in Mona Lisa Smile. They ended up moving into a Hollywood Hills home together but later broke up. It's rumored to have ended due to Kristen's love for partying and staying out late and Jake's love for staying in.

2006

Jake and Natalie Portman barely dated in 2006.

2007 - 2009

Jake and Reese Witherspoon began dating after working together in 2007's Rendition but never confirmed the relationship. Following the finalization of Reese's divorce, the two went public as couple. However, Reese later broke Jake's heart and ended the romance in 2009.

Rumor is, the romance ended because Jake wanted to get married while Reese did not. Although, Reese ultimately tied the knot in 2011 with Jim Toth.

April 2010

Jake and Isabel Lucas were rumored to be dating after they were photographed hanging out together in Montreal.

September 2010 - October 2010

After being spotted together in 2010, Jake and actress Rachel Bilson were rumored to be a couple.

November 2010 - January 2011

Jake and country singer Taylor Swift were rumored to be dating after the two were spotted on multiple occasions and reportedly spent the Thanksgiving weekend together. In January, the romance had fizzed out and many sources implied Jake had broken up with Taylor over the phone.

January 2011 - May 2011

In January 2011, rumors ignited that Jake and his ex-girlfriend Jenny Lewis were back together after they were spotted getting extremely close in public.

June 2011

Jake and actress Olivia Wilde were seen getting cozy together in late June at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Rumors that the two were having a fling soon followed.

August 2011 - January 2012

Jake and Anna Kendrick co-starred in The Watch (2012) and reportedly started hooking up after they met on set. Towards the end of production, it was reported that the two flew to Las Vegas for Labor Day weekend, along with some of the film crew and a few friends.

May 2012

After convincing Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights) to go out with him, Jake and Minka were seen going on multiple dates. Jake first approached the actress when she broke up with actor Wilmer Valderrama, although many say she was not interested. Looks like being persistent pays off.