Drawing the attention of film connoisseurs, Jake Gyllenhaal is indeed an undeniably versatile actor, whose portrayal of the character resonates with the viewers on an emotional level. Over the years, the actor has worked in several genres like romance, thriller, dramas, and action, which establishes him as a top-tier name.
However, the actor had big shoes to fill while he was portraying Elwood Dalton in Road House co-starring Conor McGregor. The role was made popular by Patrick Swayze, who had previously portrayed the role of John Dalton in the 1989 film. Gyllenhaal had the opportunity to work with the actor before Swayze tragically passed away in 2009, and the actor had nothing but praise for the legendary actor and how he always believed in him.
Jake Gyllenhaal Showered The Late Patrick Swayze with Praises
Donnie Darko was one of Jake Gyllenhaal’s earlier projects, and it has grown to become a cult classic. The Brokeback Mountain actor played a titular role where he was having petrifying visions, which included a monstrous rabbit named Frank. While Gyllenhaal was playing the troubled character, his insanity was balanced by Swayze’s Jim Cummingham, who was a motivational speaker.
Together the two actors created an outstanding synergy that added to the film’s narrative making it much more layered and kept the audience at the edge of their seats.
As a result, Gyllenhaal had nothing but praise for his co-star as Swayze made the difference in the 2001 psychological drama. Gyllenhaal, who recently made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon recalled his experience working with the 57-year-old actor, calling him “the kindest.”
He said,
“I knew Patrick Swayze when we made Donnie Darko with your incredible wife, Nancy [Juvonen], who produced that movie. He was just the kindest, most . . . I mean, he supported me very early on. I mean, him and his wife Lisa, just so sweet, like just always there.”
The Prisoners actor was also asked if Swayze were here would he like the retelling of Road House? Gyllenhaal smiled and replied, “I think he would.” It shows how close the two actors were with each other, and his comments on the late actor showcase how they shared a mentor-student relationship. Though Swayze is not among us anymore, Gyllenhaal can not forget what he did for him when he was a newbie in the film industry.
Jake Gyllenhaal Praises His Team for His Unreal Road House Transformation
Directed by Doug Liman, the 2024 Road House is a remake of Patrick Swayze’s 1989 film of the same name. The project put its main man, the Love & Other Drugs actor through a grilling schedule as he underwent a massive physical transformation. During an exclusive interview with Extra TV, Gyllenhaal acknowledged how his entire team helped him achieve it.
He also joked how they had to use tons of tanning spray in the filming process which adds to the transformation.
“I love like pushing myself but it took months and it also took a village. It took an incredible trainer, an incredible person who was literally cooking for me and handing me the calories, and we had physical therapists for me and the cast if there were injuries. We had a team of people making sure and we had a lot of tanning spray that actually helps you know. Buckets of it.”
However, achieving the toned physique was not easy at all, as the actor did not touch a chip and followed a strict diet plan. In a report shared by Medium, Jake Gyllenhaal’s trainer, Jason Walsh designed a rigorous workout plan that involved a combination of weight lifting, bodyweight exercises, and cardio.
Nevertheless, the actor was equally dedicated and followed the diet plans and ardently exercised which again made the viewers his fans as he showed off his toned physique.
Donnie Darko can be streamed on AMC+.
