Jake Gyllenhaal made his film debut in 1991 in City Slickers. Jake went on to star in 1999's October Sky, the true story of Homer Hickum Jr., who looks to the sky for answers when it looks like fate will have Homer working in the mines of West Virginia with his dad. Jake also went on to star in 2001's Donnie Darko. Jake's performance as a troubled schizophrenic won him excellent reviews and the film acquired cult status. The film won Jake an Independent Spirit Award nomination for best actor.

Jake starred again opposite Jennifer Aniston (Friends) in The Good Girl about a married woman who has an affair. Jake once again received rave reviews.

Jake in 'Day After Tomorrow'

In recent years, Jake has starred in the Portrait favorite, The Day After Tomorrow. Starring opposite Dennis Quaid and Emmy Rossum, Jake played 17-year-old Sam Hall, a young man who finds himself in New York City at a Scholastic Competition when global warming triggers a second ice age. This was my first Gyllenhaal film, and I think that Jake's performance in this film was absolutely stunning.

2005 was definitely Jake's breakthrough year. Jake starred in the screen adaptation of the stage play, Proof, starring opposite Academy Award winners Gwenyth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins. The movie fizzled at the box office and didn't receive such great reviews. Jake also starred this year in the movie Jarhead, which surprised fans and critics alike. Gyllenhaal played a particularly masculine performance as a United States Marine in the Gulf War I.

Jake in 'Jarhead'

But Gyllenhaal's big moment this year was in the film, Brokeback Mountain, about two cowboys in love. This film was nominated for 7 Golden Globes this year and took home 4. Jake was nominated for a Critic's Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Jack, a rodeo rider who falls in love with another man. And Gyllenhaal's performance has not gone unnoticed by the Academy. Jake is being considered for an Oscar nomination.

As you can see, any actor who can hold his own against the great Heath Ledger is one to turn heads. Is Oscar next for this phenomenal actor? At the young age of 25, Gyllenhaal is not one to go unnoticed. Where can we see Jake next? He has been cast as Greysmith in the film Zodiac. I don't think we will be seeing this for awhile, while it is still in pre-production. But after Brokeback Mountain, we should be seeing Jake Gyllenhaal for a long time.

Comments on Jake:
We asked Ally the webmaster of our site of the month I heart Jake what it is she loves about him that inspires her to put so much time and effort into running her fansite. Her comment is below:

"Ever since I saw Jake in Donnie Darko I knew that he was something special and that he had this very rare and amazing talent. He is such a diverse actor going from Hollywood's "Indie It Boy", to Blockbuster hunk to now Oscar worthy actor. I'm just so incredibly proud of him and how much his career has grown. Apart from being such an amazing actor he is also a very down to earth guy. I met him back in October of 2005 and he was just so amazing to his fans. He was the only celebrity that came to talk to his fans and that just showed what a genuine guy he is. I'm a proud Gyllenhaalic and will support him 100%!" - Ally