Jared Joseph Leto (born December 26, 1971) is an American actor and musician.

He’s 36!

His first major acting performance was as Jordan Catalano in the television series My So-Called Life. This led to a growing film career, including a critically-acclaimed portrayal of a drug addict in Requiem for a Dream. Additionally, Leto is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter of the alternative rock band 30 Seconds to Mars.

Jared Leto was born on December 26, 1971 in Bossier City, Louisiana. During his childhood, Leto and his family — comprised of his mother, Constance, and his older brother Shannon Leto — moved frequently living in Louisiana, Wyoming, Colorado, Virginia, and even Haiti. Jared’s father, Tony, divorced with Constance when Jared and his brother were still young. Tony had passed away after remarrying. His stepfather, Carl Leto, adopted him, although he later divorced Leto’s mother. From both of his parents remarriages, he has two younger half-brothers and one younger half-sister.

When he finished school, Leto enrolled at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts to pursue his interests in painting. However, he then transferred to New York City’s School of Visual Arts after developing an interest in acting.

In 1992, Leto moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Two years later, he landed a role in the TV show My So-Called Life where he played Jordan Catalano, opposite Claire Danes. After the show ended in 1995, Leto acted in several films such as How to Make an American Quilt, Urban Legend, The Thin Red Line, and Fight Club, among others.

However, it was his portrayal of heroin addict Harry Goldfarb in Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream that garnered him more critical praise. After that, he returned with David Fincher for Panic Room, then acted opposite Colin Farrell in Oliver Stone’s Alexander, and later with Nicolas Cage in Lord of War.

Leto is a vegetarian and especially mentions this in interviews where he talked about his increase of weight for the film Chapter 27 (alongside Lindsay Lohan)in which he plays John Lennon’s killer, Mark David Chapman. He gained more than 60 pounds for this role.

He is set to star in the film Mr. Nobody, playing the lead role, and is currently in talks to play a god in Osiris Release.

Other December 26th Birthdays:

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