Her mother was born in New York City growing up in , and is , from families that emigrated from Russia and Poland.
Part of the , she is the daughter of filmmakers and , and the older sister of fellow actor.
She studied literature and Eastern religion at Columbia University, and she also studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
In 2010, Gyllenhaal appeared in with co-star , the sequel to the 2005's.