Independent Lens Host

“In only a few short years, Maggie Gyllenhaal built a solid reputation as a talented, cerebral actress in independent films, her non-conformist flair and penchant for examining social issues offering a different voice to the young Hollywood of the early millennium.”

—Hollywood.com

Maggie Gyllenhaal made her feature film debut in 1992, alongside Jeremy Irons and Ethan Hawke in Waterland. This was followed by a memorable performance as Raven, the Satan-worshipping makeup artist in John Waters’ quirky Hollywood satire, Cecil B. Demented (2000), which led her to a co-starring role in Donnie Darko (2001), a fantasy-thriller about disturbed adolescence.

After receiving rave reviews for her starring role opposite James Spader in Secretary in the 2002 Sundance competition, she went on to receive a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical,” an Independent Spirit Award nomination for “Best Actress,” a Chicago Film Critics’ Award for “Most Promising Performer,” A Boston Film Critics’ Award for “Best Actress,” a National Board of Review Award for “Breakthrough Performance” and an IFP/ Gotham “Breakthrough Performance” Award.

Later, she appeared in Spike Jonze’s Adaptation (2002), as well as John Sayles’ Casa De Los Babys (2003) with Daryl Hannah and Lily Taylor. She was also seen in Mike Newell’s Mona Lisa Smile (2003), co-starring with Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles and Kirsten Dunst, and in Criminal (2004) with Diego Luna and John C. Reilly.

In 2006, Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her role in Don Roos’ Happy Endings, opposite Lisa Kudrow and Tom Arnold. In August 2006, Maggie was seen in Trust the Man with Julianne Moore, Billy Crudup and David Duchovny and in Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center with Maria Bello and Nicholas Cage. She also starred in Marc Forster’s Stranger Than Fiction with Will Ferrell, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Emma Thompson. Then, at a Sundance screening in 2007, Maggie starred in Sherrybaby, the story of a female convict struggling to overcome her drug addiction and regain custody of her daughter. The film was well-received by critics and garnered her a second Golden Globe nomination, this time for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.

Maggie played Rachel Dawes in the Warner Bros. box office hit Dark Knight (2008) directed by Chris Nolan. In 2009 she appeared in Sam Mendes’s Away We Go.
Next up, Maggie will be starring in the dramatic film Crazy Heart, alongside Jeff Bridges and Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang with Emma Thompson.

Who's working behind the scenes? View series credits >>