» First, it's 'Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?,' then it's 'Get me Jake Gyllenhaal,' then 'Get me someone who looks like Jake Gyllenhaal,' and then 'Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?'...Right now, I'm between 'Who is Jake Gyllenhaal?' and 'Get me Jake Gyllenhaal.'
- On the stages of fame in Hollywood

» Being a star doesn't last. That's not what life should be about. It's a complete illusion that really has nothing to do with you. For me, finding out about life is the most important thing.

» I admire actors and artists who devote just as much time to their life as they do to their work.

» We use lines like " Love has no bounds," but that's become bulls***. For me, this is a story where that might actually be true. Hopefully.
- On the story of Brokeback Mountain

» I was arrogant at times with him. And I was confused at times, and I hope, at least, humble at times. I mean, I'd just got run down in my own life so there was nothing else I could give but what I was feeling.
- On his relationship with Heath Ledger while filming Brokeback Mountain

» I don't pick projects because I'm, like, 'Oh my God, thats an amazing role.' I pick projects because of what it's trying to say - I want to be a part of it, for the message.

» Take a movie like Donnie Darko, which I always believed in. I just always fucking believed in it, the collaboration and the process of making it, and it completely paid off for me.

» I play a mathematician, which is ridiculous because I am horrible at math.
- On taking his role in Proof

» In a perfect world, I would love to do one play for every three movies.

» I love to cook, I obsessed with cooking magazines.

» I want to have a happy life, first and foremost. I think that will lead to a successful career.

» I've always had her to look up to and to learn from. And in Hollywood, a touchstone like that is pretty priceless - especially when I see how envy can really poison people in the business.
- On his sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal

» I would really like people to know how to pronounce my last name. Correctly. Everywhere.

» Don't listen to what anybody says except the people who encourage you. If it's what you want to do and it's within yourself, then keep going and try to do it for the rest of your life.

» I have an abstract mind. It doesn't fit everywhere, but it fits in the world of performing.

» I'm just trying to do interesting, challenging work, and hoping that people - especially young people - will want to see it.

» Some movies you fall a step behind and some you stay in the same place, make the same choices. And then sometimes there are people who know more than you but show you, and that's the maximum you can hope for - doing that with someone who says, "I like you for what you are, and I want you to be in my picture." I didn't have to fake it or put on a mask - all the resources I had inside me were more than adequate. I don't want to pretend to be something ... I'm not pretending any more to fit somebody's mold. That's a long-winded statement but - why not do what you really think, even if it's a mistake?

» The truth is most of the films that make a lot of money no one remembers, and I'm not interested in making films that no one remembers.

» Coming from a family where my mom is a writer, I just respond to how people speak.

» I'd have to say Ewan McGregor's part in Moulin Rouge. It was so close. I sang and everything. I went through months of auditions. It was between me, Heath Ledger and Ewan. I think it came down to age and where people were in their careers. I was the youngest and the least known. I would hope it didn't have anything to do with talent. Maybe it did.

» We live in a sad time where actors are politicians & politicians are actors.

» You know, it's flattering when there's a rumor that says I'm bisexual. It means I can play more kinds of roles. I'm open to whatever people want to call me. I've never really been attracted to men sexually, but I don't think I would be afraid of it if it happened.

Some quotes taken from IHeartJake.com.