Maggie Gyllenhaal may have been born into the film industry, but it was her talent that got her where she is today.
Her mother, Naomi Foner – then Naomi Achs – was a screenwriter and producer while her father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, was an independent filmmaker. It was in their father’s films that a teenage Maggie and her brother – Jake Gyllenhaal – made their acting debuts.
After a few years of minor roles, most prominently a supporting turn in Donnie Darko, Gyllenhaal’s career took off with a lead role in the acclaimed sadomasochistic romance Secretary.
Her most well-known Hollywood role came in 2008 smash hit The Dark Knight, but Gyllenhaal has also pursued many transgressive smaller-budget projects exploring human sexuality, including 40 Days and 40 Nights, Happy Endings, Trust the Man and Hysteria. Most recently, she has had a regular role on HBO’s sex-themed 1970s drama The Deuce, the latest show from The Wire creator David Simon.
Here, we look back on some of the highlights of Gyllenhaal’s career, which spans more than two decades.
Her new film, The Kindergarten Teacher, is released in cinemas on 8 March.
