Jake Gyllenhaal says being legally blind has its advantages for his acting career

The ‘Brokeback Mountain’ actor says, "I like to think it's advantageous, I've never known anything else.”

Acclaimed actor Jake Gyllenhaal, known for his dynamic roles in films like 'Nightcrawler' and 'Brokeback Mountain,' recently shared insights into his personal challenges with vision in a new profile by The Hollywood Reporter. 

Gyllenhaal, who is legally blind with a vision of 20/1250, views his condition as a unique advantage in his acting career.

"I like to think it's advantageous," Gyllenhaal told the outlet. "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." 

His visual impairment has even played a role in his professional work; during the filming of 'Southpaw,' Gyllenhaal removed his contacts to "force himself to listen more closely" in scenes, adding a layer of authenticity to his performance.

In his latest venture, Gyllenhaal stars in the Apple TV+ series 'Presumed Innocent,' a courtroom thriller crafted by David E. Kelley and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, based on Scott Turow's bestselling novel. 

He portrays Rusty Sabich, a chief deputy prosecutor wrapped up in a murder case. In this role, Gyllenhaal wears glasses, a nod to his late godfather, Paul Newman, who also inspired the character's style. "He also wore them hanging from his ear and stuff like that," Gyllenhaal explained.

The connections to acting run deep in Gyllenhaal's family, with both of his parents entrenched in the film industry. His admiration for his sister, director and actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, is profound. "My sister has always been brilliant," he remarked. "What it did was present something to me that I inevitably would always be chasing."

'Presumed Innocent' promises to showcase Gyllenhaal's depth and dedication to his craft. 

The series, which includes eight episodes, premieres on Wednesday, June 12, on Apple TV+.