Maggie Gyllenhaal

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. 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 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 and achieved some notoriety for being quoted as saying U.S. government was "responsible in some way" for the 9/11 attacks.

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. 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. 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 supported herself with a summer job, in which she worked in an upscale restaurant in Massachusetts, as she bussed tables.

She grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from the Harvard-Westlake prep school. In 1995, Gyllenhaal graduated from high school and moved to New York to attend Columbia University, to study in literature and Eastern religions. In 1999, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduation, Gyllenhaal spent a summer studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Career

Early work

Gyllenhaal appeared in the 1993 film A Dangerous Woman – along with brother Jake, and in the 1998 comedy Homegrown. Along with their mother, she and Jake appeared in two episodes of Molto Mario, an Italian cooking show on the Food Network.

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). Gyllenhaal then had a series of supporting roles in films such as the comedy Adaptation. (2002) and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002).

2002-2006

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. In the New York Times review of the film, critic Stephen Holden noted: "The role of Lee, which Maggie Gyllenhaal imbues with a restrained comic delicacy and sweetness, should make her a star. Michael Wilmington of the Chicago Tribune wrote: "Gyllenhaal conveys with real subtlety. The film received good reviews and Gyllenhaal's performance earned her the Best Breakthrough Performance from the Online Film Critics Society, a first Golden Globe nomination and an Independent Spirit Award nomination. This marked the first time Gyllenhaal performed full frontal nudity on film. Although impressed with the script, she 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. Although insisting Shainberg did not exploit her, Gyllenhaal has said she felt "scared when filming began" and "the film falling into the wrong hands, slightly less intelligent hands, this movie could say something really weird." Since then, she is guarded about discussing her role in the film, saying only that "despite myself, sometimes the dynamic that you are exploring in your work spills over into your life."

In 2003, she appeared in Mona Lisa Smile starring Julia Roberts. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, she revealed the reason in accepting the role of Giselle in Mona Lisa Smile was "to play somebody who feels confident in herself as a sexy, beautiful women. Her next appearances were in smaller independent films such as Casa de los Babys (2003), and Criminal (2004), a remake of the Argentinian film, Nine Queens, with John C. Reilly and Diego Luna. Gyllenhaal plays Reilly's sister, a thoroughly straight hotel manager who, forced to help her brother by seducing one of his patsies. She starred on the HBO film, Strip Search, where she portrayed an American student in China on suspicion of terrorism.

In 2005, Gyllenhaal starred in Happy Endings, in which she played an adventuress singer who seduces a young gay musician, played by Jason Ritter, as well as his rich father, Tom Arnold. She further recorded songs for the movie's soundtrack. She called the role the "roughest, scariest acting ever," but said she's more natural singing on screen than acting. Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly wrote of Gyllenhaal's performance "wonderfully, naturally slouchy-sexy as her character is artificial. The following year, Gyllenhaal was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Following work with Happy Endings, she starred alongside Julianne Moore, David Duchovny, and Billy Crudup in the 2006 comedy film, Trust the Man.

2006-present

In 2006, she played a love interest of Harold Crick, played by Will Ferrell, in Stranger than Fiction (2006). 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. Gyllenhaal played the character Elizabeth "Zee" in the computer animated horror film, Monster House (2006). Her next role was in Oliver Stone's World Trade Center (2006), reminiscent to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks of the same-title towers of New York City.

Gyllenhaal then starred in Laurie Collyer's drama film, Sherrybaby (2006), in which she played 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, she noted of 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. Her performance in the film was well-received; 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. Dennis Harvey of Variety called her performance "naturalistic". For her work, Gyllenhaal garnered her second Golden Globe Best Actress nomination, and a win at the 17th annual Stockholm International Film Festival in the category for the Best Actress award in 2006.

In her theatrical debut Gyllenhaal starred on the London stage in Patrick Marber's Closer. Gyllenhaal received favorable critical reviews. She furthered in performing at the Taper in a production of Tony Kushner's Homebody/ Kabul. Kushner gave her the role in Homebody/ Kabul on the strength of her performance in Closer. Gyllenhaal was also set to play "Suky" in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee but pulled out before filming began. She has been replaced by Maria Bello.

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. Gyllenhaal has acknowledged her character as a damsel in distress to an extent, but says director 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. The Dark Knight was a financial success, setting a record worldwide, opening-weekend gross of $158,411,483 on its opening day. Stephanie Zacharek of Salon.com, in her review of the film, noted her portrayal as "a tough cookie in a Stanwyck-style bias-cut gown, and the movie feels smarter and more supple when she's on-screen. In the IGN review of the film, critic Todd Gilchrist wrote: "Gyllenhaal adds real depth and energy to Rachel Dawes.

Personal life

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

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. She also supported John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential Election. Gyllenhaal has campaigned on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), an organization which her entire family strongly supports.

Besides acting, she has modeled for Miu Miu, Reebok, and Agent Provocateur, and recorded the first unabridged audiobook version of Sylvia Plath's novel, The Bell Jar. 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. In the latest fundraising campaign, Gyllenhaal helped design and promote a necklace that sells for $100, with all proceeds going to the charity.

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. Gyllenhaal later said that she regretted her comments, and asserted that film interviews were not the "right place" to discuss politics. 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.

Gyllenhaal eventually met with Port Authority officer Will Jimeno and his wife, Allison, whom Gyllenhaal depicted in the 2006 film World Trade Center. 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."

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

Further reading

• Brinton, Jessica. Maggie Gyllenhaal's rising star The Times. July 20, 2008. Accessed October 9, 2008.
• Fischer, Paul. Maggie Gyllenhaal Dark Knight Interview Femail. Accessed October 9, 2008.
• Freydkin, Donna. 'Dark Knight' puts spotlight on publicity-shunning Gyllenhaal USA Today. July 13, 2008. Accessed September 27, 2008.
• Hill, Lawrence. Lady of the Knight Sunday Herald. September 27, 2008. Accessed September 27, 2008.
• Last, Jonathan V. Oscar Goes to War The Weekly Standard. March 24, 2003. Accessed October 10, 2008.
• Lichty, Amy. Celebrities encourage voter registration, endorse candidates Oregon Daily Emerald. October 7, 2004. Accessed October 8, 2008.
• Madigan, Nick. Oscars Show Goes On, But Mood Is Subdued By the Fighting in Iraq The New York Times. March 24, 2003. Accessed October 10, 2008.
• Murphy, Dean E. Threats and Responses: California; Approach of War Reveals An Alienation in California The New York Times. March 20, 2003. Accessed October 10, 2008.
• O'Sullivan, Charlotte. Maggie Gyllenhaal: Scones and S&M The Independent. May 9, 2003. Accessed October 9, 2008.
• Rees, Serena. Maggie Gyllenhaal: Romantic chemistry. The Daily Telegraph. May 9, 2007. Accessed September 27, 2008.
• Stewart, Sara. Maggie Gyllenhaal New York Post. July 6, 2008. Accessed September 27, 2008.
• Tschorn, Adam. Gen Art showcases the faces of fashion's future Los Angeles Times. October 5, 2008. Accessed October 10, 2008.
• Wiseman, Eva. How I get dressed. The Guardian. March 9, 2008. Accessed September 27, 2008.

External links

• Maggie Gyllenhaal at the Internet Movie Database
• Food Bank For New York City public service announcement