logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Mother Was Active in the Feminist Movement — inside His Upbringing

Edduin Carvajal
Mar 18, 2021
08:35 A.M.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has attracted a lot of attention in recent years for being one of Hollywood's most talented artists. He’s also a feminist, and it’s all thanks to his mother.

Advertisement

Born in February 1981, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been involved in the entertainment industry for over three decades, and his parents have been very influential in his life.

His dad, Dennis Levitt, used to be an investigative reporter and news director at KPFK-FM, while his mom, Jane Gordon, was a member of the Peace and Freedom Party who even ran for Congress once.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt on March 15, 2019 in Austin, Texas | Photo: Getty Images

Joseph Gordon-Levitt on March 15, 2019 in Austin, Texas | Photo: Getty Images

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT’S PARENTS

The actor once admitted that his parents met while working at KPFK and, since he grew up listening to “a lot of public radio with them,” he was very fond of it. Dennis and Jane are also listed as founders of the Progressive Jewish Alliance.

Advertisement

Speaking of Jane, she once revealed that Gordon-Levitt’s first gig ever was a commercial for Sunny Jim peanut butter, and it was so miserable that she thought he’d never want to act again.

Advertisement

However, and although he spent several hours wearing uncomfortable clothes in a damp soundstage with fake rain to get the commercial done, he considered it was “great.”

Years went by, and Gordon-Levitt kept landing parts in films, TV shows, and commercials. His first significant TV role came in 1996 when he was cast as Tommy in “3rd Rock From the Sun.”

Advertisement

According to Jane, her son was always allowed to decide the projects he wanted to do and knew he could quit whenever he wanted as his parents were not pushing him to pursue an acting career out of money or fame, but “because it’s fun for you.”

He took two years off and would “gladly” make that choice again.

Advertisement

GORDON-LEVITT PRAISING HIS MOM

Gordon-Levitt agrees with his mom as he once pointed out she was a “great stage mother” during an interview in “Live with Kelly and Michael.” The actor confessed:

“She encouraged me and supported me because she knew it was something I loved to do. But she never pressured me into doing it and always gave me that decision.”

Advertisement

It is not the first time that Joseph Gordon-Levitt praised his mother for his upbringing. In January 2013, he revealed that Jane was active in the feminist movement in the 60s and 70s and brought him up to be a feminist.

According to the actor and filmmaker, the film industry in Hollywood has a “bad history” of sexism, and although it has come a long way, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Nowadays, Gordon-Levitt has over 80 acting credits to his name and has written, directed, and produced some very notable projects, including the award-winning film “Don Jon.”

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT’S WIFE AND KIDS

It is important to point out that Gordon-Levitt is very different from most male actors in Hollywood, and the fact that he took a two-year career break to spend time with his two sons proves it.

Advertisement

The “Inception” star admitted that “there were voices” in his own head that, afraid of losing momentum, made him question his decision. Still, he took two years off and would “gladly” make that choice again.

Advertisement

Speaking of his family, Gordon-Levitt has been married to Tasha McCauley, founder and CEO of a technology company called Fellow Robots, since December 2014.

Today, they share two sons, but apart from the fact that they were born in August 2015 and June 2017, there’s little-to-no information available about them.

Advertisement

Gordon-Levitt and his wife are known for shielding their kids, whose names have not been shared yet, away from the public eye. About it, he once said:

“My son, he’s just a baby. He hasn’t made the choice to be in the public eye, and that’s a choice that I would like him to be able to make when he’s older.”

In 2020, Joseph Gordon-Levitt described being a dad as “the best,” remarking that he felt lucky for taking some time off to be with his boys. He’s now back at work, acting and writing in Apple TV’s upcoming show “Mr. Corman.”

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

5 Celebrities Who Cut Their Kids Out of their Wills

January 30, 2024

David Beckham’s Daughter Turned Into Pretty Young Lady Who Does Farming & Doesn’t Use Social Media — Her Pics

December 28, 2023

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Son Joseph Baena Imitates Dad’s Body-Building Poses While Shirtless in Video

November 07, 2023

Kenny Rogers Was ‘Thrilled’ to Welcome Twins — 'Handsome' Boys, Now 19, Still Heed Late Dad’s Advice

December 02, 2023

Devastated Mom Aims to Adopt, Spots Girl at Adoption Agency Strikingly Similar to Her Late Daughter — Story of the Day

November 30, 2023

Fans React as Chef Gordon Ramsay’s 2-Month-Old Son Perfects His 'Stare down' Face in Adorable New Photo

February 05, 2024

Gordon Ramsay & Wife Welcomed 6th Baby Who Already Has Dad’s ‘Golden’ Hair — Details & Photos

November 12, 2023

Woman Cuts Her Stepdaughter’s Prom Dress to Pieces — Dad Has Daughter’s Back & Teaches Wife a Lesson

February 25, 2024

"This Wedding is Cancelled!" Groom Shouts After Learning the Truth About His Bride – Story of the Day

February 08, 2024

People Opened up about Their Canceled Weddings after Learning the Truth about Other Halves

February 22, 2024

My Mom Is So Desperate for Grandkids She Demands I Accept My Ex-wife's Kid as My Own without Paternity Test

February 14, 2024

Son Brings Old Single Dad to His Native Town and Accidentally Meets Mom He’d Never Seen Before – Story of the Day

February 16, 2024

Devastated Mom Wants to Adopt, Spots Girl at Adoption Agency Strikingly Similar to Her Late Daughter — Story of the Day

March 01, 2024

Devastated Mom Wants to Adopt, Spots Girl at Adoption Agency Strikingly Similar to Her Late Daughter — Story of the Day

February 26, 2024