Joseph Gordon-Levitt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
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Gordon-Levitt in 2019
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| Born |
Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt
February 17, 1981 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education | Columbia University |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Tasha McCauley
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Michael Gordon (grandfather) |
| Awards | Full list |
Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt (born February 17, 1981) is an American actor and filmmaker. He started acting as a child and has become well-known for many roles. He has won awards for his work, including two Primetime Emmy Awards. These awards were for his online projects like HitRecord on TV and Create Together.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his main roles in 500 Days of Summer (2009) and 50/50 (2011). Joseph Gordon-Levitt also created an online media platform called HitRecord.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Joseph Gordon-Levitt was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a neighborhood called Sherman Oaks. His family is Jewish, but they were not strictly religious. His parents helped start a group called the Progressive Jewish Alliance.
His father, Dennis Levitt, worked as a news director for a radio station. His mother, Jane Gordon, was also involved in radio. Joseph's grandfather, Michael Gordon, was a famous Hollywood film director. Joseph had an older brother named Dan, who was a photographer. Joseph went to Van Nuys High School and finished in 1999.
Beginning His Acting Career
First Roles as a Child Actor
Joseph Gordon-Levitt started acting very young. He joined a musical theater group when he was just four years old. He even played the Scarecrow in a play of The Wizard of Oz. Soon after, an agent noticed him. He began appearing in TV shows and commercials for popular brands.
When he was six, he starred in several TV movies. In 1991, he appeared in the TV series Dark Shadows. He also had a role in the movie A River Runs Through It. He played a clever young boy in the sitcom The Powers That Be from 1992 to 1993.
Breakthrough Roles in the 1990s
In 1994, Joseph starred in the Disney movie Angels in the Outfield. He played an orphan boy who could see angels. This role made him more widely known. In 1996, he got a big role as Tommy Solomon in the TV show 3rd Rock from the Sun. This show was very popular and ran for six seasons. People often saw him in teenage magazines during the 1990s.
He also had a supporting role in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). This film was a modern version of a Shakespeare play. In 2002, he voiced the character Jim Hawkins in Disney's animated movie Treasure Planet.
Taking a Break for College
After high school, Joseph decided to take a break from acting. In 2000, he started attending Columbia University in New York City. He studied history, literature, and French poetry. He learned to speak French and loved French culture. He said that moving to New York helped him grow as a person. However, he left college in 2004 to focus on acting again.
Returning to Acting
Choosing Meaningful Film Roles
When Joseph returned to acting, he wanted to choose "good movies." He starred in the drama Manic (2001), set in a mental institution. He also appeared in Mysterious Skin (2004). In 2005, he played the lead role of Brendan Frye in Brick. This movie was a modern detective story set in a high school. Critics praised his performance in Brick, calling it "astounding."
He also acted in the play "Uncle Bob" in New York City. In 2007, he starred in The Lookout. He played a janitor who gets involved in a bank heist. Reviewers noted his strong and surprising performance in this film.
Major Film Roles and Recognition
In 2009, Joseph starred with his friend Zooey Deschanel in 500 Days of Summer. This movie was about a relationship falling apart and was very well-received. His acting was seen as key to the film's success. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for this role.
He also played the villain Cobra Commander in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009). In 2010, he starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the science fiction thriller Inception. This movie was directed by Christopher Nolan and received great reviews.
Joseph continued to work with Christopher Nolan in The Dark Knight Rises (2012). He played John Blake, a police officer who helps Batman. In 2012, he also starred in Premium Rush as a bicycle messenger. He played a younger version of Bruce Willis's character in the time-travel movie Looper. That same year, he had a supporting role as Robert Todd Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's film Lincoln.
In 2015, Joseph played Philippe Petit in The Walk. This biographical drama was directed by Robert Zemeckis. He then portrayed Edward Snowden in the film Snowden (2016), directed by Oliver Stone. In 2020, he had a role in the legal drama The Trial of the Chicago 7. He also voiced Jiminy Cricket in the 2022 live-action film Pinocchio.
Directing and Producing Films
Starting Behind the Camera
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has also worked as a director and producer. His first film as a director was a short film called Sparks. It was shown at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. In 2010, he directed another short film, Morgan and Destiny's Eleventeenth Date: The Zeppelin Zoo.
In 2013, he wrote, directed, and starred in his first full-length movie, Don Jon. The film also featured Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received positive reviews. Joseph said he wanted it to be a movie for a wide audience. In 2021, he wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy-drama series Mr. Corman for Apple TV+.
HitRecord Online Platform
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Joseph Gordon-Levitt created an online platform called HitRecord in 2010. He wanted a place where people could be creative together. He said he started it because he wanted to create things, and no one was giving him the chance. HitRecord allows artists to collaborate on projects like films, music, and writing.
Projects from HitRecord, such as HitRecord on TV (2014–15) and Create Together (2020), won him two Primetime Emmy Awards. These awards were for being outstanding interactive programs.
Personal Life
In 2013, Joseph Gordon-Levitt said he identifies as a feminist. He credits his mother for teaching him about feminism. He believes in equal rights and opportunities for everyone.
In December 2014, he married Tasha McCauley. She is the founder and CEO of a technology company. They have three children: two sons born in 2015 and 2017, and a daughter born in 2022. They choose to keep their children's lives private from the media. The family lives in Pasadena, California.
Joseph has also shown support for the effective altruism movement. This movement encourages people to use their resources to do the most good for others. He spoke at a conference about effective altruism in 2017.
Images for kids
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Gordon-Levitt plays "Hey Jude" at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Gordon-Levitt para niños
