is a fan of the Boston Red Sox baseball team

Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.

Shares his birthday with Marla Sokoloff, Alyssa Milano, Jennifer Beals and Édith Piaf.

He appeared in a 1994 episode of "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993) that was directed by his father, Steven.

Ranked #48 on Premiere's 2006 "Power 50" list. It is his first appearance on the list.

On Phantom Planet's album "The Guest", lead singer Alex Greenwald lists him in his thank yous. Alex appeared with Jake in Donnie Darko (2001).

Was personally approved by Joe Namath to play the football legend in an upcoming biopic about the latter's life.

Had his Bar Mitzvah party at a homeless shelter, something his parents encouraged to help him recognize how privileged his own childhood had been (a Bar Mitzvah is the coming-of-age service that Jewish boys celebrate at age 13).

His first four big roles were in movies with alliterated titles: Bubble Boy (2001), Donnie Darko (2001), Moonlight Mile (2002), The Good Girl (2002).

Voted #10 in Elle (France) Magazine's "15 Sexiest Men" poll (June 2007).

Received his first driving lesson from Paul Newman.

Uncle of Ramona Sarsgaard, born October 3, 2006. She is the daughter of his older sister Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard.

Dropped out of Columbia University after two years (2002).

Auditioned for and was one of the top contenders for the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins (2005).

He gave Kirsten Dunst a gray and white kitten for her birthday. She named the cat Sophie.

Godmother is Jamie Lee Curtis.

His last name is pronounced Jill-en-hall.

Like all Gyllenhaals on the male line, he is a Swedish nobleman by birth right and is listed in the Swedish Almanac of Nobility ("Sveriges Ridderskaps och Adels Kalender" in Swedish).

Godfather is Paul Newman.

Played brother to real life sister Maggie Gyllenhaal in their movie Donnie Darko (2001).

Norwegian American.

Very good friends with actress Jennifer Aniston.

Campaigned for the Democrats in the 2004 US election.

Is good friends with Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey and Nick Dash .

His uncle, Anders Gyllenhaal, is editor-in-chief of the Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis.

Along with sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, he attended Camp Walt Whitman, an outdoors summer camp in Western New Hampshire.

Studied acting with Ivana Chubbuck.

Was among the guests at Jessica Simpson`s 25th birthday party.

Godfather of Matilda Rose Ledger, born October 28, 2005 (daughter of actor Heath Ledger and actress Michelle Williams.

Spent two years at Columbia University, where one of his professors was Robert Thurman, Uma Thurman`s father.

When asked who his idols are he said Anthony Quinn, Paul Newman, Sean Penn, Bruce Springsteen and Bono.

Gained five pounds of muscle for his role in Jarhead (2005).

Although they broke up in July 2004, he and Kirsten Dunst still have an on and off relationship.

Before success as an actor, he worked as a lifeguard. He never had any life-saving incidents, but did perform one lesser rescue. A swimmer had been stung on the leg by a jellyfish, and Gyllenhaal helped relieve the pain of the stings by urinating on the swimmer`s leg.

His favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, and he has two dogs, Atticus and Boo named after the novel`s main characters.

Went to elementary school with band members of Maroon 5.

Is close friends with Natalie Portman and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Was named one of People Magazine`s 50 Hottest Bachelors [2004].

Attended high school with "Freaks and Geeks" (1999) star Jason Segel.

Was set to play Spiderman in Spider-Man 2 (2004) due to complications with Tobey Maguire. While he was preparing for the role, Maguire was back as Spiderman.

He was awarded the 2002 London Evening Standard Theate Award for Outstanding Newcomer for his performance in This is Our Youth at the Garrick Theatre in London, England.

Sister Maggie Gyllenhaal introduced him to Kirsten Dunst. Both Kirsten and Maggie appeared in Mona Lisa Smile (2003). Jake and Kirsten dated, but broke up in July 2004.

His fans refer to themselves as "Gyllenhaalics".

Is of Swedish (noble) and Russian-Jewish descent.

Graduated Harvard-Westlake (private) high school. [1998]

Son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner. Younger brother of Maggie Gyllenhaal. His godmother is Jamie Lee Curtis and godfather is Paul Newman. He received his first driving lesson from Newman.