Jake Gyllenhaal Describes Legal Blindness as Professionally “Advantageous”
With so many accolades in his acting career, most people are surprised to learn that actor Jake Gyllenhaal is legally blind. Though blindness is considered a disability, the American celebrity thinks it has given him some unique benefits.
Fresh from the March 2024 streaming hit Roadhouse, the 43-year-old claims that his partial blindness has allowed him to indulge in moments of self-reflection. “I like to think it’s advantageous,” he candidly shared with The Hollywood Reporter last June 5. “I’ve never known anything else. When I can’t see in the morning, before I put on my glasses, it’s a place where I can be with myself.”
The Jewish performer went on to cite examples where being legally blind has helped him. While filming a highly charged scene for the 2015 film Southpaw, Gyllenhaal shared that he removed his contact lenses so he could be more attentive to the dialogue.
Gyllenhaal Was Teased as a Boy
Though it’s hard to imagine anyone picking on the buff leading man, Gyllenhaal admitted in 2017 that he endured a lot of teasing as a boy. In an interview with The Telegraph, he confessed to being an “easy target” for bullies due to the corrective glasses he wore.
Recalling his childhood, he simply said, “I was always a sensitive kid,” referring to the teasing.
It’s strange to think of blindness as an asset but looking at his illustrious Hollywood career and the diverse characters he’s played, one can’t argue with results.
After getting bit by the acting bug at ten, he has gone on to star in diverse and acclaimed productions. From Nightcrawler to Brokeback Mountain and Velvet Buzzsaw to Zodiac, he has established himself as a versatile actor with incredible depth. He has been recognized by the likes of BAFTA, Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
In the Grey: Gyllenhaal’s Upcoming Films
Gyllenhaal has an upcoming film entitled In the Grey where he stars alongside Henry Cavill, Rosamund Pike, and Elza Gonzalez. Directed by Guy Ritchie, the movie will be released in the United States in January 2025.
According to IMDb, the story tells the tale of a pair of extraction specialists who must create an escape route for a female negotiator.
Another production, Presumed Innocent, is scheduled for release this month. Produced by Apple TV+, the series is a legal thriller based on Scott Turows’s bestselling novel. He takes on the role of Rusty Sabich, a chief deputy prosecutor who finds himself involved in a murder.
How Is Gyllenhaal Legally Blind?
Medically speaking, normal vision is 20/20. Anyone born with vision 20/200 and lower or a field of vision that’s less than 20 degrees is considered legally blind.
Since Gyllenhaal’s sight is 20/1250, he qualifies as legally blind. The performer began using thick corrective “Coke bottle” lenses when he was six years old. He was also born with a lazy eye that resolved on its own with time.
Throughout his prolific career, Gyllenhaal has never used his blindness to gain sympathy or win special favors. With his raw talent and attitude, he doesn’t need to.
