Jake Gyllenhaal Stars in a new movie. - Acting becomes easier for him due to his blindness.
Jake Gyllenhaal, the famous actor from "Brokeback Mountain," was born with impaired vision. But this hindrance can turn out to be a blessing for an actor in some scenarios. In an informal chat with "The Hollywood Reporter," the 43-year-old divulged this fascinating detail about his life.
An Actor's Edge
Officially considered legally blind in the United States, Jake was born with an eye condition that eyeglasses could fix. "I think it's a perk," he mentioned to the American publication. "I've never experienced anything different. If I can't see anything in the morning before I put on my lenses, it creates a space for me to connect with myself."
Often, Gyllenhaal's blurred vision benefits him when filming as well. One such example is during the dramatic movie "Southpaw," where his character, Billy Hope, learns about his wife's passing. For that intense moment, he had to remove his contact lenses. This compelled him to rely on his auditory senses exclusively - enhancing his performance on camera.
Hollywood's Golden Boy Shuns Wedding Talk
In a candid conversation with "The Telegraph" in 2017, he discussed his experiences of being bullied in school due to his thick glasses. Gyllenhaal reflected, "I was an easy target. And I was always a sensitive child."
When it came to discussing his romantic life with Jeanne Cadieu, a French model he's been linked to, Gyllenhaal evaded any specifics with "The Hollywood Reporter." He responded to the question about when they would wed by simply saying, "Should I share my wedding date with the 'Hollywood Reporter'? I won't provide you an answer."
But the actor did open up about his priorities in life. "I think we all get to a point loaded with work, work, work. And for a lengthy period, my career was my top priority. But I've entered a new phase in life where I've started to comprehend that family is what signifies."
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In his acting career, Jake Gyllenhaal drew inspiration from his visual impairment for the role in the dramatic film "Blindness." During the filming of "Southpaw," his character's emotional scene of learning about his wife's passing required him to act with his natural blindness, enhancing his performance. In the movie "Drama," Jake Gyllenhaal and his co-star Jeanne Cadieu, who has been linked to him, showcase their acting skills as they portray their characters' complex emotions.