Fame & Fortune

I’ve been wondering about old Jakie G lately.  How did he go from the devastatingly bad film The Day After Tomorrow to enlightened movie such as Donnie Darko or Brokeback Mountain?  So, I thought I will round up the history of Jake Gyllenhaal and see what I could find.

Jake was born in Los Angeles, California on December 19, 1980 to director Stephen Gyllenhaal and producer / screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal.  Jake has some nobility in his veins, being a descendant if the Swedish noble Gyllenhaal family.  He was raised in the Jewish religion and had his Bar Mitzvah at a homeless shelter, his parents tried to instill a sense of appreciation for his privileged lifestyle.  He is the godson of Jamie Lee Curtis and is a godfather himself to Heath Ledger’s daughter, Matilda Rose. 

Gyllenhaal graduated high school and headed off to Columbia University.  He stayed in college for a couple of year, but dropped out to concentrate on his acting career.  He actually had his film debut at the age eleven in City Slickers (so go grab that movie for the weekend and try to find ole Jake), he then began to establish himself with such films as October Sky before being cast in the title role of the highly acclaimed Donnie Darko.

Jake won attention after his work on Darko which was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Bets Actor.  He soon played opposite of reality TV hater Jennifer Aniston in another Sundance favorite, The Good Girl, which also won rave reviews.  So, he’s looking good- in some great films, on his way up, etc.  Then he decides to a part of The Day After Tomorrow in 2004.  This movie was considered to be a commentary on the possible effects of global warming, but all it did for me was think, “Why is Jake in a blockbuster action film?  Where is the Sundance king?”

From Molto Mario, which he played opposite his sister Maggie, to Jarhead, I just keep getting more confused as to what attracts Jake to these roles.  Can it really just be for the money?  He was reportedly paid $6 for his violent Marine role in Jarhead.  But then the Sundance cowboy stuck out his head once again with Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain. 

Brokeback won the coveted golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, four BAFTA Awards and three Academy awards.  So, he must be doing something right, right?  Maybe I just hold Day After Tomorrow grudges.  He will always be the interesting, yet demented, Donni Darko to me.

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Hollywood is a rich box of chocolates full of bitter and sweet bites.  From the highest paid actress Julia Roberts to newcomer Scarlett Johansson, they bring in the bucks.  The current asking price to have Tom Cruise aboard your film, $25 million.  Let’s take a closer look at these highly paid Hollywood dwellers:

Tom Cruise:

Age:  44

First big payday:  $75,000 for Risky Business, 1983

Current price tag:  $25 million

News:  After the Spielberg blockbuster hit War of the Worlds, the devout scientologist and fiancee of Katie Holmes, returns to us now in Mission Impossible III due out May 5th of this year. 

Cameron Diaz:

Age:  34

First big payday:  $2 million for There’s Something About Mary, 1998

Current price tag:  $20 million

News:  This Hollywood babe is currently working on none other than Shrek 3, set to hit screens in 2007.

Will Smith:

Age:  38

First big payday:  $500,000 for Six Degrees of Separation, 1993

Current price tag:  $20 million + 20% of gross (I like how the man thinks!)

News:  Smith is currently working on The Pursuit of Happyness in which he plays a rags-to-riches banker who is trying to get a new start on life, due out later this year.

Julia Roberts:

Age:  39

First big payday:  $50,000 for Mystic Pizza, 1988

Current price tag:  $27 million

News:  Roberts will be delighting all, and filling up her bank account, with this year’s Charlotte’s Web.  The animated feature includes many A-list stars including:  Oprah Winfrey, John Cleese, Steve Buscemi, Cedric The Entertainer, Reba McEntire & Kathy Bates.

 

The one question I keep asking myself regarding these prized entertainers and their million dollar price tags- are they worth the money?  You let me know.

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