Maggie Gyllenhaal
Birthday: 16 November 1977, Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name: Margalit Ruth Gyllenhaal
Height: 175 cm
Academy Award-nominated actress Maggie Gyllenhaal was born on November 16, 1977, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City. Her parents, Naomi Foner (née Achs) and Stephen Gyllenhaal, are ...Show More
(While promoting Mona Lisa Smile (2003)) "I've realised that the only way to make movies that you're Show more
(While promoting Mona Lisa Smile (2003)) "I've realised that the only way to make movies that you're proud of, that don't fall into the sentimental bullshit that so many movies fall into, is to fight. You have to fight. So many people are willing to sleepwalk through things and fall into the not human, not interesting choice". Hide
I just want to support these films and be a part of them in any way because they are so provocative Show more
I just want to support these films and be a part of them in any way because they are so provocative and interesting. Hide
These past couple of years have been about learning to not sabotage myself in a subtler way - for in Show more
These past couple of years have been about learning to not sabotage myself in a subtler way - for instance, even just by putting moisturiser on when I get out of the shower. Learning to honour myself and believing that I'm worth taking care of. Hide
In terms of sexuality in film, I'm really interested in that. I think it's a really interesting elem Show more
In terms of sexuality in film, I'm really interested in that. I think it's a really interesting element to storytelling. I think nudity is interesting, and I know that there are many actors and actresses who feel that it's just a part of their work. But I'm kind of compelled by it-when it's done well. So often, it's done in a way that's maybe not all that sexy or maybe trying to sort of fit into a fantasy of what people look like, and I'm not as interested in that. But nudity and sexuality that express something about the story you're telling, you just can't take your eyes off if it. The scene that comes to mind is in De rouille et d'os (2012). Remember that scene where you can see Marion Cotillard's breast and [Matthias Schoenaerts] is kind of like staring at her? And it's so gorgeous. And you can't take your eyes off it. I don't have a problem with it at all. I know that there are also people who are asked to just get naked and there's not much else to do in the scene, and I think I might have a problem with that. But I think it can be a very interesting element to tell a story, especially on film. Hide
(referring to when she started acting) "Even in elementary school, I took it really seriously. I was Show more
(referring to when she started acting) "Even in elementary school, I took it really seriously. I was always doing plays." Hide
I do seem to have a bit of a predilection for movies that say something transgressive.
I do seem to have a bit of a predilection for movies that say something transgressive.
When I started making movies, I didn't care if anybody saw them. And now I realize I don't want to m Show more
When I started making movies, I didn't care if anybody saw them. And now I realize I don't want to make movies for the ten people that feel the same way about the world that I do! I want to make movies that people see. Hide
I want roles that challenge people to question where they are in life.
I want roles that challenge people to question where they are in life.
I really hated charm school. I guess I'm just a little bit bad.
I really hated charm school. I guess I'm just a little bit bad.
(On doing Homebody/Kabul) "To get people emotionally involved in something intellectual and politica Show more
(On doing Homebody/Kabul) "To get people emotionally involved in something intellectual and political is important." Hide
Someone asked me why I didn't do teen movies or action movies, but I'm not interested in them.
Someone asked me why I didn't do teen movies or action movies, but I'm not interested in them.
I am looking for movies that are actually about something and that are questioning something. Movies Show more
I am looking for movies that are actually about something and that are questioning something. Movies that are provocative in some way and I am also looking for roles that I think will force me to grow or learn something about myself or the world in order to play them well. Hide
I almost never have me time. That's the truth. When I have a morning to myself, I'll get a manicure Show more
I almost never have me time. That's the truth. When I have a morning to myself, I'll get a manicure or a bikini wax or I'll try to exercise. If I can go for a run, it changes my whole life! Hide
There is a need, especially right now in America, to be a bit provocative.
There is a need, especially right now in America, to be a bit provocative.
[on her view of the Israeli-Palestininian conflict] What I've been doing is trying to read as much a Show more
[on her view of the Israeli-Palestininian conflict] What I've been doing is trying to read as much as I can and to think and feel each day what my position is..At the moment, I feel like the show I made ['The Honorable Woman'] ...does articulate beautifully so many things I feel, and I'm trying to keep my personal politics out of the press. I do believe in the possibility of reconciliation. Hide
There are two ways to be cool: One is to be disinterested and make it seem like you must be doing so Show more
There are two ways to be cool: One is to be disinterested and make it seem like you must be doing something much more interesting than everybody else if you are this disinterested. The other is to be extremely interested. You are not trying to please anyone, but you are really invested are really focused. Hide
You're invited to tons of parties, and you'll wear these shoes and that dress, and it can be enticin Show more
You're invited to tons of parties, and you'll wear these shoes and that dress, and it can be enticing, but I think it also sucks you dry. If you do it a little, sure, it's fun, but too much and you start to lose your footing. Hide
It's my responsibility to see what we can move and change about these old-school feminist mantras.
It's my responsibility to see what we can move and change about these old-school feminist mantras.
With everything I work on, I want to be put in a position that I have to be brave to do the project.
With everything I work on, I want to be put in a position that I have to be brave to do the project.
I find myself more and more interested only in roles which move the world forward.
I find myself more and more interested only in roles which move the world forward.
(Comments at the Tribeca premiere about The Great New Wonderful (2005)) I think America has done rep Show more
(Comments at the Tribeca premiere about The Great New Wonderful (2005)) I think America has done reprehensible things and is responsible in some way and so I think the delicacy with which it's dealt [in the film] allows that to sort of creep in. Hide
(On her new film Strip Search (2004)) "I think it's important to see. It's a real violation, and it Show more
(On her new film Strip Search (2004)) "I think it's important to see. It's a real violation, and it forces people to get emotionally involved in something that's intellectual and political". Hide
I didn't act the way little kids do, I threw my whole self into it.
I didn't act the way little kids do, I threw my whole self into it.
(About being the youngest actress on her film Casa de los babys (2003)) "I felt out of place and not Show more
(About being the youngest actress on her film Casa de los babys (2003)) "I felt out of place and not listened to". Hide
I don't think it is the narrative necessarily that is the most important thing I think it is the hum Show more
I don't think it is the narrative necessarily that is the most important thing I think it is the human interaction that is the most important thing. Hide
Once you're a mom, there are secret things you know - like in your pocket, you'll find a bag of Chee Show more
Once you're a mom, there are secret things you know - like in your pocket, you'll find a bag of Cheerios. Hide
I just participated in the [TV] program "Finding Your Roots," so I have a very accurate and informed Show more
I just participated in the [TV] program "Finding Your Roots," so I have a very accurate and informed family history. On my mom's side, it was exactly what I thought. They were peasants in Russia, and when my great-grandfather was drafted into the Russian army, which was a dangerous thing for a Jew, they left. First they went to Lithuania, then they came [to New York City] and lived on the Lower East Side, where my great-grandfather was a tailor... So I grew up mostly Jewish, culturally. How I eat, a lot of the way I think, comes from my mother. Hide
I do see things sometimes that are good, but they don't feel like a challenge to me personally. Like Show more
I do see things sometimes that are good, but they don't feel like a challenge to me personally. Like, in my own life and so often I think the things that excite me are things that feel a little bit beyond my grasp. Hide
Maggie Gyllenhaal's FILMOGRAPHY
as Actor (99)
Maggie Gyllenhaal'S roles
Elizabeth Darko
Candy
Charlotte Dalrymple
Ana Pascal
Finnerty
Giselle Levy
Debbie
Caroline Cunningham
Lee Holloway
Jean Craddock
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