Maggie Gyllenhaal is an American actress, director, and screenwriter who has been praised for her versatile and nuanced performances in both independent and mainstream films. She is also the daughter of filmmakers Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Foner and the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal.
Maggie Gyllenhaal was born Margalit Ruth Gyllenhaal on November 16, 1977, in New York City. She is of Ashkenazi Jewish (mother) and Swedish, English, Swiss-German, German, Scottish, and distant Welsh and French (father) descent. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s ancestor, cavalry Lieutenant Nils Gunnarsson Haal, was ennobled and changed his surname to Gyllenhaal. She has a younger brother, Jake, who is also an actor.
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Age and height
Maggie Gyllenhaal is currently 46 years old as of 2021. She will turn 47 on November 16th, 2021. According to Healthy Celeb, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s height is 5 feet 9 inches or 175 cm. She weighs 60 kg or 132 pounds. Her body measurements are 36-25-35 inches. Her eye color is blue and her hair color is dark brown.
Early Life
Maggie Gyllenhaal grew up in Los Angeles and attended Harvard-Westlake prep school. She was exposed to the film industry from a young age, as both her parents were involved in filmmaking. She also developed an interest in literature and Eastern religions.
Education
Maggie Gyllenhaal moved to New York to study literature and Eastern religions at Columbia University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999. She also briefly studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Maggie Gyllenhaal: Quick Facts
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Margalit Ruth Gyllenhaal |
| Date of Birth | November 16, 1977 |
| Age | 46 years (as of 2021) |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | 60 kg (132 pounds) |
| Body Measurements | 36-25-35 inches |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Early Life | Grew up in Los Angeles, born to filmmaker parents |
| Education | Columbia University (Bachelor of Arts, 1999) |
| Career Highlights | Actress, Director, Screenwriter |
| Notable Works | Secretary, The Dark Knight, Crazy Heart, The Honourable Woman, The Deuce, The Lost Daughter |
| Net Worth | $25 million (as of 2023) |
| Relationships | Married to Peter Sarsgaard, two daughters |
| Family | Father: Stephen Gyllenhaal, Mother: Naomi Foner, Brother: Jake Gyllenhaal |
| Social Media | Instagram: @mgyllenhaal (473K followers) |
| Twitter: @mgyllenhaal (84.4K followers) | |
| Facebook: Maggie Gyllenhaal (1.7M followers) | |
| Additional Information | Occasional involvement in online campaigns, activism, and events |
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Career
Maggie Gyllenhaal made her film debut in 1992 in Waterland, directed by her father. She had sporadic roles throughout her teenage years, mostly in her father’s films, such as A Dangerous Woman (1993) and Homegrown (1998). She also appeared with her brother in the cult favorite Donnie Darko (2001), playing his sister.
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s breakthrough role came in 2002 when she starred as Lee Holloway, a submissive secretary who engages in a BDSM relationship with her boss (James Spader), in the erotic black comedy romantic drama Secretary. The film was a critical and commercial success and earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.
Maggie Gyllenhaal followed that up with supporting roles in several acclaimed films, such as Adaptation (2002), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Mona Lisa Smile (2003), and The Great New Wonderful (2005). Maggie Gyllenhaal also ventured into theater, making her Broadway debut in Closer (2004) and starring in The Real Thing (2014).
In 2021, Maggie Gyllenhaal made her directorial debut with The Lost Daughter, an adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novel of the same name. The film stars Olivia Colman as Leda Caruso, a literature professor and mother of two grown daughters who goes on an extended vacation in Greece.
While there, Maggie Gyllenhaal encounters a vacationing family and a young mother who reminds her of her own dark experiences with parenthood. The film also features Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Ed Harris, and Peter Sarsgaard.
The Lost Daughter premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 3rd, 2021 to critical acclaim. It won four awards at the festival: the Silver Lion for Best Director for Maggie Gyllenhaal; the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress for Colman; the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film; and the Queer Lion Award.
It also won four Gotham Awards: Best Feature; Best Screenplay; Breakthrough Director; and Best Actress for Colman. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay for Maggie Gyllenhaal; and Best Actress for Colman.
The Lost Daughter is in select theaters on December 17th, 2021, and available to stream on Netflix starting December 31st, 2021.
Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s net worth is $25 million as of 2023. Maggie Gyllenhaal has earned most of her wealth from her acting career in films and television. She also earns money from endorsements, such as being the face of Agent Provocateur lingerie and Miu Miu fashion.
Relationships
Maggie Gyllenhaal has been married to actor Peter Sarsgaard since May 2nd, 2009. They met in 2002 through her brother Jake, who is a close friend of Sarsgaard. They got engaged in 2006 and have two daughters: Ramona, born in 2006; and Gloria Ray, born in 2012.
The couple has worked together in several films, such as In God’s Hands (2002), which was never released due to damage to the film’s negatives; Sherrybaby (2006); The Great New Wonderful (2005); and The Lost Daughter (2021), which Maggie Gyllenhaal directed and Sarsgaard starred in.
Maggie Gyllenhaal has praised Sarsgaard for his support and love, especially while she was directing her first film. She said that he was “holding up the family side of things” and that he was “a groundbreaker” for being a smart, hot, interesting man who supports his wife.
Family
Maggie Gyllenhaal comes from a family of filmmakers and actors. Her father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, is a film director and writer who has directed films such as Paris Trout (1991), Losing Isaiah (1995), and Homegrown (1998). Her mother, Naomi Foner, is a screenwriter and producer who has written scripts for films such as Running on Empty (1988), Losing Isaiah (1995), and Very Good Girls (2013).
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s brother, Jake Gyllenhaal, is an actor who has starred in films such as Donnie Darko (2001), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Zodiac (2007), Nightcrawler (2014), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). He has also been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Brokeback Mountain.
Her paternal uncle, Anders Gyllenhaal, is a journalist who has served as the executive editor of The Miami Herald and The Star Tribune. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s maternal aunt, Dorothy Foner, is a historian and activist who has written books on women’s history and social movements.
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Social Media
Maggie Gyllenhaal is not very active on social media. She does not have an official Instagram or Twitter account. She does have a Facebook page, but she rarely posts anything on it. Maggie Gyllenhaal prefers to keep her personal life private and focus on her work.
Instagram – (@mgyllenhaal) 473K followers
Twitter – (@mgyllenhaal) 84.4K Followers
Facebook – (Maggie Gyllenhaal) 1.7M followers
However, she does occasionally appear on other people’s social media accounts, such as her husband’s, her brother’s, or her co-stars’. Maggie Gyllenhaal also participates in some online campaigns and events, such as the #MeToo movement, the Time’s Up initiative, the ACLU Telethon, and the One World: Together at Home concert.
Maggie Gyllenhaal Movies
Maggie Gyllenhaal is a renowned American actress and director known for her impressive work in both film and television. Her notable works include “Secretary” (2002), “The Dark Knight” (2008), “Crazy Heart” (2009), “The Honourable Woman” (2014), and “The Deuce” (2017-2019).
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, “The Lost Daughter” (2021), received critical acclaim and won multiple awards. The film is based on Elena Ferrante’s novel and stars Olivia Colman. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was subsequently released in theaters and on Netflix.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When and where was Maggie Gyllenhaal born?
Maggie Gyllenhaal was born on November 16, 1977, in New York City, U.S.
Who are Maggie Gyllenhaal’s parents and siblings?
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s parents are filmmakers Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Achs. She has a younger brother, actor Jake Gyllenhaal.
Is Maggie Gyllenhaal married and does she have any children?
Maggie Gyllenhaal has been married to actor Peter Sarsgaard since 2009. They have two daughters, Ramona (born 2006) and Gloria (born 2012).
Conclusion
Maggie Gyllenhaal is one of the most talented and respected actresses in Hollywood. She has shown her range and versatility in various genres and mediums, from comedy to drama, from film to television, from acting to directing. She has also been recognized for her achievements with numerous awards and nominations, including two Golden Globes and an Oscar nomination. Maggie Gyllenhaal is also a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and activist who uses her voice and platform to support causes that matter to her. She is a role model for many aspiring artists and women around the world.
