Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt (born 17 February 1981) is an American actor.

Gordon-Levitt began as a child actor, becoming known for his role on the series 3rd Rock from the Sun, and subsequently developing into adult roles, having strongly concentrated on independent films (including Brick and The Lookout).

Gordon-Levitt, the younger of two sons, was born in Los Angeles, California. He is Jewish. His father, Dennis Levitt, was once the news director for the liberal radio station KPFK-FM. His mother, Jane Gordon (daughter of director Michael Gordon), ran for the United States Congress in California during the 1970s for the Peace and Freedom Party and met Dennis Levitt while she was working as the program guide editor for KPFK-FM.

Gordon-Levitt joined a musical theater group at the age of four, and played the scarecrow in a production of The Wizard of Oz. He was subsequently approached by an agent and began appearing on television and in commercials for Sunny Jim peanut butter, Cocoa Puffs, Pop-Tarts, and Kinney Shoes.

Gordon-Levitt has received several praises and positive reviews for his performances. His acclaimed films include the 2001's drama Manic, 2004's Mysterious Skin, 2005's Brick, and 2007's "The Lookout" Observing Gordon-Levitt's current acclaim from critics and audiences alike, Showbiz notes that Gordon-Levitt has "defied the cliched fates that befall most underage actors when they grow up", while The New York Times has described him as "one of the hottest young stars in the indie firmament".

Gordon-Levitt has an apartment on the Lower East Side of New York City. He manages the website, "Hit Record", which features Escargots, a short feature that he created, and other works. He formerly dated Disturbia star, Sarah Roemer.