Sep 19, 2016 09:42 AM EDT By Jane Reed, UniversityHerald Reporter

Born in 1980, Jake Gyllenhaal is the son of director Stephen Gyllenhall and screenwriter Naomi Foner. Since he was a child, he started acting when he was little. His first screen debut is in "City Slickers." One can say that acting was his first education in life.

However, KR CR Tv has it that the "Brokeback Mountain" actor wouldn't be famous today if he didn't drop out of Columbia. Jake Gyllenhaal is basically a famous drop out. But starting from the beginning, his first exposure to filmmaking was because of his family. His father is a director and his mother a screenwriter, both parents have close ties to the acting industry. However, that did not mean he would always get the chance to act. His parents allowed him to audition for roles but would deny him the opportunity if he were chosen. Mainly because that meant he would leave his home for months. But when it comes to his father's movies, he was allowed to act in them.

Before he hit senior high, he did appear in a movie not made by his dad, "Josh and S.A.M." He graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in 1998. Afterwards, he enrolled in Columbia University. His major was in Eastern Religions and Philosphy. However, he did not stay long. He dropped out of school half-way. He wanted to concentrate on acting.

Later on, he starred in "October Sky" but his break out performance was in "Rocket Boys."

To date, Jake Gyllenhaal already holds nominations for supporting actor and best actor. He received a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, a SAG for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, and the same for BAFTA.

With all the success that he made and his unfinished education, he promises to get back to his higher education soon and finish his degree.

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