Name: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Birth Name: Maggie Ruth Gyllenhaal

Birthdate: Nov. 16, 1977

Birthplace: New York, N.Y.

The provocative S&M movie Secretary (2002) marks gamine ingenue Maggie's breakthrough, but she'd actually been working for quite a while. The Gyllenhaals make it a family affair; her first six movies were directed by her father. She's starred in three movies with younger brother Jake, including his breakthrough, Donnie Darko. She's known for being into fashion and is engaged to actor Peter Saarsgard, with whom she had a baby girl in 2006.


1. She likes musicals.
2. Her last name means "golden hall."
3. She received a B.A. in English at Columbia; she also studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
4. She dislikes lying.
5. She and her brother attended the prestigious Harvard-Westlake private school in Los Angeles.


On getting to be famous: "I don't talk in those terms. Each time I make a movie I'm still the one who thinks, 'What if no one sees it? What if no one likes it? Let's just say I'm cautious when it comes to believing all the hype. I guess I just want to protect myself because who knows what will happen."
— Chicago Sun-Times, Sept. 5, 2004


Fiancé: Peter Sarsgaard, actor; born Mar. 7, 1971
Daughter: Ramona Sarsgaard, born Oct. 3, 2006
Father: Stephen Gyllenhaal, director; born Oct. 4, 1949
Mother: Naomi Foner, writer/producer; born 1946
Brother: Jake Gyllenhaal, actor; born Dec. 19, 1980

2007: Golden Globe nomination: Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama), Sherrybaby

2003: Golden Globe nomination: Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Secretary

FILMS

The Dark Knight - (2008 ) - Actor
Paris, Je T'Aime - (2007) - Actor
The Squid and the Whale (Special Edition)/Adaptation - (2006) - Actor
World Trade Center - (2006) - Actor
Trust the Man - (2006) - Actor
The Great New Wonderful - (2006) - Actor
Monster House - (2006) - Voice
Sherrybaby - (2006) - Actor
Stranger Than Fiction - (2006) - Actor
Happy Endings - (2005) - Actor
Mona Lisa Smile/America's Sweethearts - (2005) - Actor
Criminal - (2004) - Actor
Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut - (2004) - Actor
Casa de los Babys - (2003) - Actor
Mona Lisa Smile - (2003) - Actor
Secretary - (2002) - Actor
Adaptation - (2002) - Actor
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind - (2002) - Actor
40 Days and 40 Nights - (2002) - Actor
Cecil B. Demented - (2000) - Actor
Photographer - (2000) - Actor
The Patron Saint of Liars - (1998) - Actor