Maggie Gyllenhaal

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Maggie Gyllenhaal
Maggie Gyllenhaal, 2008
Born
Margaret Ruth Gyllenhaal
OccupationActress
PartnerPeter Sarsgaard (2002–present)
AwardsBSFC Award for Best Actress
2002 Secretary

Margaret Ruth "Maggie" Gyllenhaal (born November 16, 1977) is an American actress. She is the daughter of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, and the older sister of Jake Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal began her acting career in a film directed by her father, and later achieved recognition in her own right playing her real brother's on-screen sister in Donnie Darko. She made her break-through in the sadomasochistic romance Secretary, for which she received critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination.[1] Gyllenhaal has chosen an eclectic range of roles, from indie films such as Sherrybaby, for which she was also nominated for a Golden Globe, to the romantic comedy Trust the Man and big-budget studio films such as World Trade Center and The Dark Knight.

Gyllenhaal is a politically active Democrat[2] and, like her brother and parents, supports the American Civil Liberties Union. She participated in anti-war demonstrations prior to the US-led invasion of Iraq[3] and achieved some notoriety for being quoted as saying U.S. government was "responsible in some way" for the 9/11 attacks.[4]

Biography

Early life

Gyllenhaal was born in New York City, New York, the daughter of film director Stephen Gyllenhaal and film producer and screen-writer Naomi Achs.[1] Jake Gyllenhaal, her brother, is also an actor. Gyllenhaal's father was raised in the Swedenborgian religion and is a descendant of the Swedish noble Gyllenhaal family; her last Swedish ancestor was her great-great-grandfather, Leonard Gyllenhaal.[5] Her mother is from a Jewish family in New York City and is the ex-wife of Eric Foner, a history professor at Columbia University.

Gyllenhaal grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from the Harvard-Westlake prep school. While there, she attended a semester away program in Vershire, Vermont called The Mountain School. She graduated from Columbia University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in literature and Eastern religions and spent a summer studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.[6]

Career

Gyllenhaal's first film roles were directed by her father: Waterland (1992), her feature film debut, A Dangerous Woman (1993), and Homegrown (1998); the latter two also featured her brother. After graduating from college, she had a number of supporting roles, in such films as Cecil B. Demented (2000), Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002). Paper magazine has described these roles, including her casting as Donnie Darko's sister opposite real-life brother Jake, as "the girl you're not supposed to notice".[6]

Gyllenhaal at the premiere of The Dark Knight in 2008

Gyllenhaal's break-out role was in the black comedy Secretary (2002), a film about two people who embark on a mutually fulfilling BDSM lifestyle.[7] In the New York Times review of the film, critic Stephen Holden wrote: "The role of Lee, which Maggie Gyllenhaal imbues with a restrained comic delicacy and sweetness, should make her a star."[8] Stephanie Zacharek of Salon.com concluded with: "Gyllenhaal's performance is a direct challenge to anyone who would dare pass judgment on the movie's sexual morality."[9] The film earned Gyllenhaal widely-spread acclaim including a Golden Globe nomination,[10] and marked the first time Gyllenhaal performed full frontal nudity on camera.[7] Although impressed with the script, Gyllenhaal initially had some qualms about doing the film, which she believed could deliver an antifeminist message. Yet after carefully discussing the script with the film's director, Steven Shainberg, she agreed to join the project.[11][12] Although insisting Shainberg did not exploit her, Gyllenhaal has said she felt "slightly taken advantage of" and in agreeing to do certain scenes she "conceded in a way that maybe in retrospect I wish I hadn't."[6]

In 2003, Gyllenhaal then had a series of supporting roles in films such as the Spike Jonze/Charlie Kaufman comedy Adaptation., and Mona Lisa Smile starring Julia Roberts.[7][13] She also appeared in smaller independent films such as John Sayles' Casa de los Babys (2003), and Criminal (2004) with John C. Reilly and Diego Luna.[7] Another notable appearance was in Happy Endings (2005) in which she played a singer. She further recorded songs for the movie's soundtrack.[13] Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly wrote of Gyllenhaal's performance in Happy Endings: "Gyllenhaal is as wonderfully, naturally slouchy-sexy as her character is artificial and also turns out to be a riveting torch singer."[14] The following year, Gyllenhaal was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[15] In 2006, she alongside Julianne Moore, David Duchovny, and Billy Crudup starred in the comedy film, Trust the Man.[16][17] She also played a love interest of Harold Crick, played by Will Ferrell, in Stranger than Fiction.[18] Her performance in the film received positive reviews; Mike Straka of Fox News wrote: "Gyllenhaal has never been sexier in any film before, and her interplay with Ferrell will propel her to more A-list films, leaving her indie-darling days behind, no doubt. [...] I loved Gyllenhaal in this movie."[19] Gyllenhaal played the character Elizabeth "Zee" in the computer animated horror film, Monster House (2006).[20][21] Her next role was in Oliver Stone's World Trade Center (2006), reminiscent to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the same-title towers of New York City.[22][23]

Gyllenhall then starred in Laurie Collyer's drama film, Sherrybaby, in which she plays a young thief and drug addict stumbling to put her life in order after prison, so she can reconcile with her daughter. During promotion of the film, Gyllenhaal notes in her portrayal of the character: "I think she's in such dire straights that all she has are these kind of naive, fierce hope. And while I was playing the part I was looking for pleasure and hope in everything, even in these really bleak things. And so it was really mostly after I finished the movie that I felt pain."[24] The film received rave reviews, as well as Gyllenhaal's performance. David Germain of the Associated Press wrote: "Gyllenhaal humanizes her so deeply and richly, though, that Sherry elicits sympathy even in her darkest and weakest moments."[25] Dennis Harvey of Variety also praised her performance: "Gyllenhaal, in her most substantial role since 'Secretary', does a fine, unshowy job of limning Sherry's faults without alienating the viewer or pleading for sympathy."[26] Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination,[27][28] and a win at the 17th annual Stockholm International Film Festival in the category for the best actress award in 2006.[29][30]

Gyllenhaal has also appeared in theatre.[7][31] She starred as Alice in the Mark Taper Forum production of Patrick Marber's Closer,[31] and performed at the Taper in a production of Tony Kushner's Homebody/ Kabul. Kushner gave Gyllenhaal the role in Homebody/ Kabul on the strength of her performance in Closer.[32] Gyllenhaal was also set to play "Suky" in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee but pulled out before filming began.[33][34] She has been replaced by Maria Bello.[34]

In 2008, she appeared in The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins (2005), in which she replaced Katie Holmes as Assistant District Attorney, Rachel Dawes.[35][36] Gyllenhaal has acknowledged her character is a damsel in distress to an extent, but says Christopher Nolan sought ways to empower her character, so "Rachel's really clear about what's important to her and unwilling to compromise her morals, which made a nice change" from the many conflicted characters whom she has previously portrayed.[37] In the IGN review of the film, critic Todd Gilchrist wrote: "Gyllenhaal adds real depth and energy to Rachel Dawes."[38]

Personal life

Gyllenhaal has been in a relationship with actor Peter Sarsgaard since 2002.[39] They announced their engagement in April 2006.[40] They have a daughter, Ramona, born on October 4, 2006,[41] and reside in Brooklyn, New York.[42] Sarsgaard is close friends with Gyllenhaal's brother Jake.[13]

Gyllenhaal is politically active. She, along with her brother Jake, shot a commercial for Rock the Vote, and visited the University of Southern California to encourage students to vote during the 2004 US Election.[43] She also supported John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential Election.[44][45] Gyllenhaal has campaigned on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), an organization which his entire family strongly supports.[46][47]

Besides acting, she has modeled for Miu Miu, Reebok, and Agent Provocateur,[39] and recorded the first unabridged audiobook version of Sylvia Plath's novel, The Bell Jar.[48] In November 2007, Gyllenhaal volunteered to help raise funds for TrickleUp.org, a non-profit organization that helps people take the first steps out of poverty by helping them start a micro-enterprise.[49] In the latest fundraising campaign, Gyllenhaal helped design and promote a necklace that sells for $100, with all proceeds going to the charity.[50]

Controversy

Gyllenhaal drew fire for a comment made during an interview with NY1 at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival where she suggested that the United States was somewhat responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks. She remarked, "I think America has done reprehensible things and is responsible in some way..." In response to the criticism, she issued a statement saying that 9/11 was "an occasion to be brave enough to ask some serious questions about America's role in the world" and that it was "useful as individuals or nations to ask how we may have knowingly or unknowingly contributed to this conflict." She pointedly denied saying that the 9/11 attacks were deserved.[51] Gyllenhaal later said that she regretted her comments, and asserted that film interviews were not the "right place" to discuss politics.[52] Gyllenhaal also said that she had "nothing but gratitude and admiration" for firefighters and that she should have "been more gentle and more thoughtful" in her comments.[53]

Gyllenhaal eventually met with Port Authority officer Will Jimeno and his wife, Allison, whom Gyllenhaal depicted in the 2006 film World Trade Center.[53] She said she would have left the project if the Jimenos wanted, but Allison Jimeno expressed that she and her husband were comfortable with her and "had no problem with her in [the] movie."[54]

Filmography

Year Movie Role Notes and Awards
1992 Waterland Maggie Ruth
1993 A Dangerous Woman Patsy
1996 Shattered Mind Clothes clerk TV
1998 Homegrown Christina
The Patron Saint of Liars Lorraine Thomas TV
1999 Resurrection Mary TV
2000 The Photographer Mira
Cecil B. Demented Raven
2001 Riding in Cars with Boys Amelia Forrester
Donnie Darko Elizabeth Darko
2002 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Debbie
Adaptation. Caroline Cunningham
40 Days and 40 Nights Sam
Secretary Lee Holloway Won - NBR Award for Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actress
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Nominated - Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead
Nominated - Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Nominated - Empire Award for Best Actress
2003 Mona Lisa Smile Giselle Levy
Casa de los Babys Jennifer
2004 Criminal Valerie
Strip Search Linda Sykes TV
2005 The Great New Wonderful Emme
Happy Endings Jude Nominated - Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female
2006 Stranger than Fiction Ana Pascal Nominated - Saturn Award for Best Actress
Trust the Man Elaine
Sherrybaby Sherry Swanson Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Nominated - Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Nominated - ALFS Award for Actress of the Year
Paris, je t'aime Liz Segment "Quartier des Enfants Rouges" only
World Trade Center Allison Jimeno
Monster House Elizabeth "Zee" Voice only
Nominated - Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
2008 The Dark Knight Rachel Dawes
2009 Farlanders TBA post-production

References

  1. ^ a b "Maggie Gyllenhaal In The Con". cbsnews.com. CBS News. 2006-08-30. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  2. ^ Wood, Gaby (2006-09-17). "Stealing beauty" (Web). The Guardian. guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Powers, Bill. "Greenlit:Maggie Gyllenhaal" (Web). BlackBook Magazine. blackbookmag.com. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Actress Gyllenhaal in 9/11 outcry". BBC News. BBC. 2005-04-27. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  5. ^ Bloom, Nate (2004-06-11). "Coe and Bartow Genealogy". Rootsweb.com. Retrieved 2006-09-19.
  6. ^ a b c "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough". Paper Magazine. September 2002. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Maggie Gyllenhaal Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Yahoo!. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  8. ^ Holden, Stephen (2002-09-20). "Film Review: An Office Disciplinarian Gets His Way in the End". The New York Times. nytimes.com. Retrieved 2008-09-19. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Zacharek, Stephanie (2002-09-20). "Secretary". Salon.com. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  10. ^ "HFPA - Awards Search" (Web). Golden Globes Official Website. goldenglobes.com. Retrieved 2008-07-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Dawson, Tom (2003-05-06). "Secretary". BBC Films. BBC. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  12. ^ Laufer, Bonnie. "A conversation with Maggie Gyllenhaal". Tribute. tribute.ca. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ a b c "Maggie Gyllenhaal Biography". People. people.com. Retrieved 2008-07-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (2005-07-13). "Happy Endings Review". Entertainment Weekly. ew.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Academy Invites 127 to Membership". Academy Awards Official Website. oscars.org. 2004-06-28. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Morris, Wesley (2006-08-18). "`Trust the Man' is an insufferable experience". The Boston Globe. boston.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ Reaves, Jessica (2007-09-04). "Movie review: 'Trust the Man'". Chicago Tribune. chicago.metromix.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Scott, A.O. (2006-11-10). "Stranger Than Fiction - Hearing Voices? It's Just Somebody's Imagination". The New York Times. nytimes.com. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Straka, Mike (2006-11-10). "Maggie Gyllenhaal Awesome in 'Stranger Than Fiction'". Fox News. foxnews.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Travers, Peter (2006-07-20). "Monster House Review". Rolling Stone. rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2008-09-25. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Burr, Ty (2006-07-21). "Built just for kids". The Boston Globe. boston.com. Retrieved 2008-09-25. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Travers, Peter (2006-08-03). "World Trade Center Review". Rolling Stone. rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ Arnold, William (2006-08-09). "Stone delivers a dignified and intelligent 9/11 film". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. seattlepi.nwsource.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ "Maggie Gyllenhaal: Mom And Movie Star". The Early Show. CBS News. 2006-09-01. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  25. ^ Germain, David (2006-09-06). "Review: 'Sherrybaby' Gyllenhaal's Show". Associated Press. sfgate.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ Harvey, Dennis (2006-01-22). "Review of Sherrybaby". Variety. variety.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Hornaday, Ann (2007-03-16). "For 'SherryBaby,' a Lingering Power". Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2008-09-24. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ "Maggie Gyllenhaal excited for the Globes". Associated Press. MSNBC. 2007-01-12. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
  29. ^ "Maggie Gyllenhaal Wins Stockholm Honor". Associated Press. washingtonpost.com. 2006-11-27. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ "Awards and Winners" (Web). Stockholm International Film Festival Official Website (in Swedish). stockholmfilmfestival.se. Retrieved 2008-09-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ a b Brantley, Ben (2004-05-13). "Theater Review; Afghanistan Still Stirs A Housewife". The New York Times. nytimes.com. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Dominus, Susan (2004-05-09). "'Homebody' Comes Home, A Mere 17 Drafts Later". The New York Times. nytimes.com. Retrieved 2008-10-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ "Bloody and unbowed". The Irish Times. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  34. ^ a b "Maria Bello steps in for 'Pippa'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  35. ^ McClintock, Pamela (2007-03-08). "Gyllenhaal joining Batman sequel". Variety. variety.com. Retrieved 2008-09-24. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Ayala, Nancy (2008-07-18). "'Dark Knight' Gets New Leading Lady" (Web). abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2008-07-18. Following Common Trend, Maggie Gyllenhaal Is the Latest Replacement Actor {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ Williams, Andrew (2008-01-06). "Gyllenhaal Talks Sexy Underwear". Metro. Associated Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  38. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (2008-06-30). "IGN: The Dark Knight Review". IGN Movies. News Corporation. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  39. ^ a b "Maggie Gyllenhaal Biography - Page 2". People. people.com. Retrieved 2008-07-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ Liza Hamm and Mark Dagostino (2006-04-11). "Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard Expecting Baby". People. people.com. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ Hamm, Liza (2006-10-09). "Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard Have a Girl". People. people.com. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ Adams, Cindy (2007-02-27). "Actress seeks safety in B'klyn". New York Post. nypost.com. Retrieved 2008-09-27. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ Nichols, Kara (2004-09-21). "Celebrities rally voters". Daily Trojan. dailytrojan.com. Retrieved 2008-07-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ Strell, Jay (2004-10-20). "Rock the Vote, the Youth Vote and the 2004 Presidential Election". United States Department of State. usa.gov. Retrieved 2008-10-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  45. ^ Moss, Corey (2004-03-03). "Celebs Go To The Post Office To Deliver Pro-Vote Message". MTV News. mtv.com (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2008-10-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  46. ^ "ACLU To Honor Civil Liberties Champions At Annual Torch of Liberty Award Dinner Monday, May 19, 2003". American Civil Liberties Union. aclu-sc.org. 2003-04-16. Retrieved 2008-10-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  47. ^ "Maggie: No longer looking for trouble". The Belfast Telegraph. belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2008-10-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  48. ^ "The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath on Audio CD, Audio Cassette". Learn Out Loud. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  49. ^ "Trickle Up". Do Something. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  50. ^ "SeedADream". TrickleUp. Archived from the original on 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
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  52. ^ "Maggie Gyllenhaal Regrets Sept. 11 Comment" (Web). Associated Press. Fox News. 2005-07-11. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  53. ^ a b Hafetz, David (2006-04-24). "The way we were" (Web). Variety. variety.com. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  54. ^ "Gyllenhaal nearly quit Sept. 11 movie". Associated Press. usatoday.com. Retrieved 2008-07-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

Further reading

External links

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