Maggie Gyllenhaal, an acclaimed American actress and filmmaker, hails from the distinguished Gyllenhaal family. Born to filmmakers Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Achs, she is the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Maggie began her acting career in her teens with small roles in her father’s films and gained early recognition with a role alongside her brother in the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001).

Her breakthrough came with a series of notable performances, including a Golden Globe-nominated turn in *Secretary* (2002) and another nomination for Sherrybaby (2006). Gyllenhaal further cemented her reputation with her role as Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight (2008) and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Crazy Heart (2009).

She continued to build on her success with diverse roles in Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010), Hysteria (2011), and Frank (2014). Her 2018 role in The Kindergarten Teacher showcased her depth and versatility. Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut came with The Lost Daughter (2021), a psychological drama that earned her the Venice International Film Festival’s Best Screenplay Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

On stage, she has made a mark with several productions, including her Broadway debut in The Real Thing. Her television work includes a Golden Globe-winning performance in the BBC miniseries The Honourable Woman and producing and starring in HBO’s The Deuce (2017–19). Married to actor Peter Sarsgaard since 2009, Gyllenhaal is the mother of two children.