Shocking admission. - Jake Gyllenhaal: How My Legal Blindness Contributed to My Acting Success
A-list actor Jake Gyllenhaal (43) was born with a visual impairment. This unexpected gift can sometimes help him excel in his performances. Gyllenhaal spoke about it in a candid chat with American entertainment publication "The Hollywood Reporter."
Embracing Visual Impairment as a Strength
Gyllenhaal was born with an eye condition, leaving him with incredibly low vision. In the US, this would be considered legal blindness. However, his difficulty seeing can be made up for with visual aids. When asked about it in the interview, he said, "I think it's a good thing. I've never known anything else. If I can't see anything in the morning before I put on my glasses, it creates a space for me to be by myself."
The accomplished actor confessed that there are moments during film roles where his poor vision plays to his advantage. He recounted an instance from the boxing drama "Southpaw," when his character, Billy Hope, is informed that his wife passed away. "I took off my contact lenses for that scene, so I had to listen really carefully - which ultimately enhanced my performance," Gyllenhaal shared.
Gyllenhaal Remains Cagey about Upcoming Nuptials
Back in 2017, Gyllenhaal talked to "The Telegraph" about his visual impairment and the bullying he faced in school due to his thick glasses. "I was an easy target. And I was always a sensitive child," he remembered.
During his recent interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," he refused to elaborate on his personal life, specifically about a potential wedding with his French model partner, Jeanne Cadieu (26). When asked about their wedding plans, Gyllenhaal teased, "Should I tell the 'Hollywood Reporter' my wedding date? I won't give you a date."
Gyllenhaal shared his thoughts on family and work: "We all reach a point where work, work, work becomes the focus, and for a long time, my career was at the forefront. But I'm now in a phase of my life where I'm realizing that family is what truly matters."
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Jake Gyllenhaal, known for his role in 'Brokeback Mountain', shared how his visual impairment, which can be considered legal blindness, has sometimes aided his acting. During the filming of 'Southpaw', Gyllenhaal took off his contact lenses for a particular emotional scene, enhancing his performance due to his poor vision. In an interview with 'The Hollywood Reporter', Gyllenhaal also starred in the drama 'Blindness', which is a fitting role given his personal experience.
