News | Entertainment
18 Jan 2026 12:07
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jake Gyllenhaal has claimed the late Heath Ledger snubbed an offer to present at the Oscars

    The pair were asked to be involved in an opening for the 2007 Academy Awards that made fun of their movie 'Brokeback Mountain' and while the 39-year-old actor was happy to take the sketch "in good fun", his co-star - who died from an accidental overdose in January 2008 - refused to be involved because he didn't think the subject of the movie was something to joke about


    Jake told Another Man magazine: "I mean, I remember they wanted to do an opening for the Academy Awards that year that was sort of joking about it.

    "And Heath refused. I was sort of at the time, 'Oh, okay... whatever.' I'm always like: it's all in good fun. And Heath said, 'It's not a joke to me--I don't want to make any jokes about it.'

    "That's the thing I loved about Heath. He would never joke. Someone wanted to make a joke about the story or whatever, he was like, 'No. This is about love. Like, that's it, man. Like, no.'"

    Jake admitted the chemistry between himself and Heath and why they were cast by director Ang Lee in the 2005 romance is still a "mystery" to him.

    He said: There are things you're chosen for - a quality, an essence - and [Ang Lee] did that.

    "And it's still a mystery to me. And something that Heath and I shared: that it was a mystery to us at the time,"

    The 'Nocturnal Animals' star admitted he can get "obsessive" with his work and doesn't always feel he behaves like an "actor is supposed to be".

    He said: "I am super-specific, I am obsessive sometimes when I'm creating things.

    "I think I've hidden a lot. Like, 'I'm gonna hide, and then I'll create these characters and I'll tinker in the corner with these ideas...' I hid in my idea of what I thought an actor was supposed to be, what they're supposed to do. And I'm kind of like: 'F**k it, I'm not like that at all.'"

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     18 Jan: Carol Burnett wants to quit acting now she's in her 90s
     18 Jan: Ne-Yo is in "one relationship with three people"
     18 Jan: Tish Cyrus was "not functioning" as she battled "absolutely horrible" anxiety following the death of her mom and the breakdown of her marriage
     18 Jan: Lala Kent suffered "disgusting" boils after being bitten by an insect
     18 Jan: Kerry Katona has made "millions" from OnlyFans
     18 Jan: Reese Witherspoon has warned fans to be vigilant about scammers impersonating her on social media
     18 Jan: Todd Bridges has split from his wife Bettijo B. Hirschi
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former All Blacks wing Grant Batty is being remembered for his bravery on the rugby field and ability to energise a crowd More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Revelations New Zealanders faced a 200-percent spike in E-shop scams over the festive season More...



     Today's News

    Politics:
    A return to running candidates in the Maori seats isn't on the cards for New Zealand First in this year's election 11:57

    Entertainment:
    Carol Burnett wants to quit acting now she's in her 90s 11:53

    Politics:
    Iranian protesters are calling on Trump to intervene — but the shadow of 1953 still haunts the US 11:47

    Entertainment:
    Ne-Yo is in "one relationship with three people" 11:23

    Health & Safety:
    Auckland University is taking aim at New Zealand's biggest cancer killer - by opening the country's first lung cancer organoid bank 11:07

    Entertainment:
    Tish Cyrus was "not functioning" as she battled "absolutely horrible" anxiety following the death of her mom and the breakdown of her marriage 10:53

    Environment:
    Torrential downpours in parts of Northland overnight have seen residents wake up to floodwaters 10:47

    Health & Safety:
    Auckland University scientists have received one million dollars to advance skin cancer treatments 10:27

    Living & Travel:
    Black Foils driver Peter Burling is giving his side of their weekend-ending crash at the Sail GP season-opening event in Perth 10:27

    International:
    Australian woman documents her stint in Chinese weight loss 'prison' 10:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd