Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal was born on November 16, 1977 in New York City, New York as Margalit Ruth Gyllenhaal, the daughter of producer/screenwriter Naomi Foner and director Stephen Gyllenhaal, and the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal. She is of Ashkenazi Jewish (mother) and Swedish, English, and German (father) descent.

She made her film debut in Terra d'Água (1992). She had sporadic roles throughout her teenage years though she took a break to attend Columbia University where she graduated w/ a degree in literature in 1999. In addition, she briefly studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, which helped w/ her post-graduation transition back into acting.

Soon after graduating, she had supporting roles in Cecil Bem Demente (2000) & Donnie Darko (2001). Her breakout role came later when she starred in Secretária (2002), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She followed that up w/ supporting roles in 40 Dias e 40 Noites (2002), Confissões de uma Mente Perigosa (2002), Adaptação (2002), & O Sorriso de Mona Lisa (2003) among other movies. She received her 2nd Golden Globe nomination for playing a recent prison parolee in Sherrybaby (2006). She followed that up w/ roles in As Torres Gêmeas (2006), Mais Estranho que a Ficção (2006) & Batman: O Cavaleiro das Trevas (2008).