Stephen Gyllenhaal
Encyclopedia
Stephen Roark Gyllenhaal (icon; born October 4, 1949) is an American
film director
and poet
.
, the son of Virginia Lowrie (née
Childs) and Hugh Anders Gyllenhaal. The Gyllenhaal family
is a descendant of the cavalry officer Nils Gunnesson Haal, who was ennobled in 1652 when Queen Christina of Sweden conferred upon him the crest and family name, "Gyllenhaal." Stephen grew up in suburban Pennsylvania in a close-knit Swedenborgian family and graduated from Trinity College
in Hartford, Connecticut
in 1972, with a degree in English. His mentor at Trinity was the poet Hugh Ogden.
He was married to screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal
for 32 years until their divorce was finalized in 2009.
From that marriage, he is the father of actors Maggie Gyllenhaal
and Jake Gyllenhaal
. He is also the brother of Anders Gyllenhaal, executive editor of the Miami Herald. In July 2011 he married Kathleen Man, a filmmaker and professor who has worked on the film Grassroots alongside Gyllenhaal.
novel Paris Trout
, which was nominated for five Emmy Awards. In addition, he directed an episode of the ABC television series Twin Peaks
. He has directed several episodes of the CBS series Numb3rs
and Blue Bloods
.
He is also a poet, who has been published in literary journals such as Prairie Schooner and Nimrod
. His first collection of poetry, Claptrap: Notes from Hollywood, was published in June 2006 by Cantara Christopher's New York-based literary small press, Cantarabooks.
He directed the TNT television pilot
The Warden in 2000 based on Lynda La Plante
's series The Governor. It is about a dynamic and ambitious woman named Helen Hewitt (Ally Sheedy
) is brought in as the young warden of an all-male maximum security prison (à la Oz
). She is brought in to clean up the mess, and the guys in the department (whose egos have been severely dented by her appointment as warden) give her a week to last in the job.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
.
Personal life
Gyllenhaal was born in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, the son of Virginia Lowrie (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Childs) and Hugh Anders Gyllenhaal. The Gyllenhaal family
Gyllenhaal family
Gyllenhaal is a Swedish noble family descended from the cavalry Lieutenant Nils Gunnarsson Haal , ennobled in 1652 with a change of surname to Gyllenhaal...
is a descendant of the cavalry officer Nils Gunnesson Haal, who was ennobled in 1652 when Queen Christina of Sweden conferred upon him the crest and family name, "Gyllenhaal." Stephen grew up in suburban Pennsylvania in a close-knit Swedenborgian family and graduated from Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
in 1972, with a degree in English. His mentor at Trinity was the poet Hugh Ogden.
He was married to screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal
Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal
Naomi Gyllenhaal is an American screenwriter. She has written the screenplays for several feature films, including Running on Empty , Losing Isaiah, and most recently Bee Season. She is...
for 32 years until their divorce was finalized in 2009.
From that marriage, he is the father of actors Maggie Gyllenhaal
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Margaret Ruth "Maggie" Gyllenhaal born November 16, 1977) is an American actress. She is the daughter of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal and the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal. She made her screen debut when she began to appear in her father's films...
and Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jacob Benjamin "Jake" Gyllenhaal is an American actor. The son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, Gyllenhaal began acting at age ten...
. He is also the brother of Anders Gyllenhaal, executive editor of the Miami Herald. In July 2011 he married Kathleen Man, a filmmaker and professor who has worked on the film Grassroots alongside Gyllenhaal.
Career
Gyllenhaal directed the film version of the Pete DexterPete Dexter
Pete Dexter is an American novelist. He was the recipient of the 1988 National Book Award for Fiction for his novel Paris Trout.-Biography:Dexter was born in Pontiac, Michigan...
novel Paris Trout
Paris Trout
Paris Trout is a 1991 drama film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, starring Dennis Hopper, Barbara Hershey, and Ed Harris. It is based on the National Book Award-winning novel Paris Trout by the author Peter Dexter.-Plot:...
, which was nominated for five Emmy Awards. In addition, he directed an episode of the ABC television series Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The series follows the investigation headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper , of the murder of a popular teenager and homecoming queen, Laura Palmer...
. He has directed several episodes of the CBS series Numb3rs
NUMB3RS
Numb3rs is an American television drama which premiered on CBS on January 23, 2005, and concluded on March 12, 2010. The series was created by Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, and follows FBI Special Agent Don Eppes and his mathematical genius brother, Charlie Eppes , who helps Don solve crimes...
and Blue Bloods
Blue Bloods (TV series)
Blue Bloods is an American police procedural/drama series on CBS, filmed on location in New York City. The show premiered on September 24, 2010, with episodes airing on Fridays at 10:00 pm Eastern and Pacific/9:00 PM Central and Mountain....
.
He is also a poet, who has been published in literary journals such as Prairie Schooner and Nimrod
Nimrod
Nimrod means "Hunter"; was a Biblical Mesopotamian king mentioned in the Table of Nations; an eponym for the city of Nimrud.Nimrod can also refer to any of the following:*Nimród Antal, a director...
. His first collection of poetry, Claptrap: Notes from Hollywood, was published in June 2006 by Cantara Christopher's New York-based literary small press, Cantarabooks.
He directed the TNT television pilot
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
The Warden in 2000 based on Lynda La Plante
Lynda La Plante
Lynda La Plante, CBE is an English author, screenwriter and former actress, best known for writing the Prime Suspect television crime series....
's series The Governor. It is about a dynamic and ambitious woman named Helen Hewitt (Ally Sheedy
Ally Sheedy
Alexandra Elizabeth "Ally" Sheedy is an American film and stage actress, as well as the author of two books. She is best known for her roles in the Brat Pack films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire.-Early life:...
) is brought in as the young warden of an all-male maximum security prison (à la Oz
Oz (TV series)
Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...
). She is brought in to clean up the mess, and the guys in the department (whose egos have been severely dented by her appointment as warden) give her a week to last in the job.
Filmography
- (1979) Exit 10
- (1985) Certain FuryCertain FuryCertain Fury is a 1985 American action/drama film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and starring Tatum O'Neal and Irene Cara....
- (1990) A Killing in a Small Town (TV)
- (1991) Paris TroutParis TroutParis Trout is a 1991 drama film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, starring Dennis Hopper, Barbara Hershey, and Ed Harris. It is based on the National Book Award-winning novel Paris Trout by the author Peter Dexter.-Plot:...
- (1992) WaterlandWaterland (film)Waterland is a 1992 film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Graham Swift. The film starred Jeremy Irons, Sinéad Cusack, Ethan Hawke, and John Heard.-Plot:...
- (1993) A Dangerous WomanA Dangerous Woman (1993 film)A Dangerous Woman is a 1993 film from Amblin Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and written for the screen by his then wife Naomi Foner...
- (1995) Losing IsaiahLosing IsaiahLosing Isaiah is a 1995 drama film starring Jessica Lange and Halle Berry, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal. It is based on the novel of the same name by Seth Margolis. The screenplay is written by Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal. The original music score is composed by Mark Isham...
- (1998) HomegrownHomegrown (film)Homegrown is a 1998 comedy / thriller film. It was directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and starred Billy Bob Thornton, John Lithgow, and Hank Azaria.-Plot:...
- (2006) Time BombTime Bomb (television film)Time Bomb is a 2006 television movie starring David Arquette, by CBS Television.- Plot :During a game of football in Washington, D.C., a terrorist issues a bomb threat to the Department of Homeland Security, stating that it is in a stadium. The family of an agent with the Department of Homeland...
(TV) - (2011) GrassrootsGrassroots (film)Grassroots is an American film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, based on the book Zioncheck for President by Phil Campbell. The film stars Jason Biggs as Phil Campbell, Joel David Moore as Grant Cogswell, Lauren Ambrose as Emily and Cedric the Entertainer as Richard McIver.- Cast :* Jason Biggs as...