Jake Gyllenhaal’s Dad, Stephen, Files For Divorce

Jake Gyllenhaal’s Dad, Stephen, Files For Divorce From Wife Of 11 Years

Home / Exclusive / Jake Gyllenhaal’s Dad, Stephen, Files For Divorce From Wife Of 11 Years

By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on December 18, 2023 at 6:44 PM EST
Updated on December 18, 2023 at 6:54 PM EST

Stephen Gyllenhaal, the father of actor Jake Gyllenhaal, is filing for divorce from his wife, according to new legal documents obtained by The Blast.

Stephen was married to Kathleen Gyllenhaal for nearly 11 years before legally separating. He is filing for joint custody of their 9-year-old son, Luke.

The couple have collaborated on projects such as the film 'Grassroots,' which starred Jason Biggs and Joel David Moore.

The docs cite "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the divorce.

Article continues below advertisement

Jake Gyllenhaal Comments On Dad's Divorce

Jake Gyllenhaal’s Dad, Stephen, Files For Divorce
MEGA

Stephen Gyllenhaal was first married to Naomi, in 1977 and were married for over 30 years before their divorce in 2009. Stephen and Naomi are the parents of Jake Gyllenhaal and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

In 2005, Naomi opened up about how hard it was to be a working mother due to the “pull between the selflessness required for real parenting and the selfishness you need to have in this work.”

“I made a lot of mistakes,” she said at the time. “Believe me, I was not a perfect mother, as they will tell you. But I do think that a gift I can give them is the idea that it’s never too late to do the work. Because life doesn’t only go in one direction.”

Article continues below advertisement

Jake Gyllenhaal On Family Life

Jake Gyllenhaal worked as a lifeguard before he was an actor
MEGA

Jake Gyllenhaal spoke out about his family life and how much he appreciates his parents, telling Esquire, “As you get older, you get to a place where you see yourself as you saw your parents when you were a child. And that’s a really beautiful perspective. I’ve been on this earth with my parents for forty-one years, and it’s a really deep, really complex relationship.”

When speaking on his home life, Jake described it as "like a circus, with writers and filmmakers coming in and out."

"We had a room above the garage rented by Steven Soderbergh – before he was Steven Soderbergh," Jake said in 2010. "We were brought up with a great respect of storytelling.”

Article continues below advertisement

After he found out his parents were getting divorced, he took a step back to reflect on his life and his career. “It allowed me to be more honest with myself,” the actor told PEOPLE at the time.

Article continues below advertisement

Stephen Gyllenhaal Talks About His Career

Jake Gyllenhaal at "Ambulance" Film Premiere
MEGA

In 2012, the director opened up about what makes his projects stand out.

“Usually characters that are a little outside, a little off the beaten path. I’m generally intrigued by people who don’t accept what’s going on, and the status quo,” he told The Long Island Press at the time of his work. “You know, they’re either confused by it or driven nuts by it. And you know, just trying to battle with it. Those are the characters that intrigue me, and have always intrigued me.”

Stephen has directed episodes of 'Blue Bloods,' 'The Mentalist,' and 'Rectify,' as well as movies such as 'Paris Trout,' 'Family of Spies,' 'Waterland,' and 'Girl Fight.'

Article continues below advertisement

The entire Gyllenhaal family -- Stephen, Naomi, Jake, and Maggie -- all worked on the 1993 film 'A Dangerous Woman' together. It was the only project to feature all four members.

Article continues below advertisement