---
name: "Joseph Gordon-Levitt"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/joseph-gordon-levitt"
fi1m_id: "joseph-gordon-levitt"
imdb_id: "nm0330687"
tmdb_id: 24045
wikidata_id: "Q177311"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 February 1981"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-04T22:05:43.470526+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Joseph Gordon-Levitt

## Identity

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/joseph-gordon-levitt
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** joseph-gordon-levitt
- **IMDb ID:** nm0330687
- **TMDB ID:** 24045
- **Wikidata ID:** Q177311
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gordon-Levitt, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q177311, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0330687/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/24045

Actor. Born 17 February 1981 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 February 1981, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Active:** 1992–present
- **Also known as:** RegularJOE  , Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt
- **Frequently works with:** [Christopher Nolan](https://film.one/person/christopher-nolan.md), [Emma Thomas](https://film.one/person/emma-thomas.md), [Ram Bergman](https://film.one/person/ram-bergman.md), [Rian Johnson](https://film.one/person/rian-johnson.md), [Tom Hardy](https://film.one/person/tom-hardy.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 70 (2), 2000s 68 (2), 2010s 79 (5), 2020s 74 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 74 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Crime 5, Drama 5, Mystery 4, Thriller 4, Action 3
- **Screen time:** 23 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,782m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gordon-Levitt, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q177311, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0330687/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/24045

## Coming up

- *Pendulum* (2027-01-01), as Patrick

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Inception*](https://film.one/film/inception.md) (80), [*Killshot*](https://film.one/film/killshot.md) (55)
- **Disney+:** [*10 Things I Hate About You*](https://film.one/film/10-things-i-hate-about-you.md) (80)
- **Apple TV:** [*Looper*](https://film.one/film/looper.md) (78)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Dark Knight Rises*](https://film.one/film/the-dark-knight-rises.md) (74)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Joseph Gordon-Levitt

> Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes elaborate dialogue sound usable by declining to show off. We rate the quiet concentration that makes *Brick* convincing, and favour substantial roles that give him time to make a character matter.

In *Brick* (2006), Joseph Gordon-Levitt speaks the hard-boiled dialogue without seeming pleased to have been given it. His Brendan Frye is quiet and intent on the investigation, with none of the knowing amusement that could make this high-school detective story unbearable. We believe he needs answers, rather than an opportunity to deliver another clever line. Rian Johnson supplies the intricate plotting, but Gordon-Levitt is the reason we care enough to follow it.

*Mysterious Skin* (2004) and *Brick* marked the turn towards independent character work after *10 Things I Hate About You* (1999). *(500) Days of Summer* (2009) brought a breakthrough romantic lead, followed by the studio ensemble of Christopher Nolan's *Inception* (2010), in which he played Arthur. Then *Looper* (2012) reunited him with Johnson for a lead requiring physical and vocal transformation. That is the kind of assignment we want for an actor so willing to prepare.

For *Brick*, that preparation included extensive rehearsal of the stylised language. The useful result is that Brendan can sound absorbed in what he is saying, rather than in getting the words out correctly. We winced during his fight with the school jock because the violence is treated seriously and his restraint elsewhere makes it more uncomfortable. He gives the film a physical vulnerability that its ingenious premise could easily have crowded out.

He cannot do the same for everyone around him. Some of *Brick*'s supporting characters remain too bound to their detective-story functions, and Johnson's elaborate plotting allows too little ordinary teenage behaviour. That limits how much of the adolescent distress reaches us, despite Gordon-Levitt's efforts; we recommend the film warmly, with a reservation about the people Brendan has to share it with.

*Don Jon* (2013) extended his responsibilities to feature writing and directing, with Gordon-Levitt also playing Jon Martello. His recurring small roles and voice cameos for Johnson keep that collaboration going, though they offer less scope for the sustained performance we value in *Brick*. We would welcome more parts that need his patience with difficult material. Start with Brendan Frye, and give the dialogue your full attention.

## Biography

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an American actor and filmmaker. He began his career as a child, appearing in films including *A River Runs Through It* (1992) and *Angels in the Outfield* (1994). He played Tommy Solomon in the television series *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996–2001).

Gordon-Levitt starred as Brendan Frye in *Brick* (2005). After studying at Columbia University, he returned to acting with roles in films such as *Mysterious Skin* (2004), *(500) Days of Summer* (2009), *Inception* (2010), *The Dark Knight Rises* (2012) and *Looper* (2012). He founded the online media platform HitRecord, and projects including *HitRecord on TV* (2014–15) earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025), Fi1m 77, as Baseball Announcer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.md)
- *Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery* (2022), Fi1m 72, as Hourly Dong (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/glass-onion-a-knives-out-mystery.md)
- *Knives Out* (2019), Fi1m 81, as Detective Hardrock (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md)
- *Lincoln* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Robert Lincoln — [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *Looper* (2012), Fi1m 78, as Joe — [page](https://film.one/film/looper.md)
- *The Dark Knight Rises* (2012), Fi1m 74, as Blake — [page](https://film.one/film/the-dark-knight-rises.md)
- *Inception* (2010), Fi1m 80, as Arthur — [page](https://film.one/film/inception.md)
- *Killshot* (2008), Fi1m 55, as Richie Nix — [page](https://film.one/film/killshot.md)
- *Brick* (2006), Fi1m 81, as Brendan Frye — [page](https://film.one/film/brick.md)
- *10 Things I Hate About You* (1999), Fi1m 80, as Cameron James — [page](https://film.one/film/10-things-i-hate-about-you.md)
- *Beethoven* (1992), Fi1m 60, as Student #1 — [page](https://film.one/film/beethoven.md)

## Complete filmography (106)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Pendulum* (2027), as Patrick
- *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025), as Baseball Announcer (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.md)
- *Paradise Records* (2025), as The Negotiator
- *An SNL Thanksgiving* (2024), as (archive footage)
- *Killer Heat* (2024), as Nick Bali
- *Greedy People* (2024), as Terry
- *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* (2024), as Detective Bobby Abbott
- *Once Upon a Studio* (2023), as Jim Hawkins (voice) (archive sound)
- *Flora and Son* (2023), as Jeff
- *Poker Face* (2023), series, as Trey Nelson — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md)
- *Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery* (2022), as Hourly Dong (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/glass-onion-a-knives-out-mystery.md)
- *Pinocchio* (2022), as Jiminy Cricket (voice)
- *A Forest Haunt* (2022), as Narrator (voice) · Executive Producer
- *Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber* (2022), series, as Travis 'TK' Kalanick
- *Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber* (2022), as Travis 'Tk' Kalanick
- *Wolfboy and the Everything Factory* (2021), series, as Luxcraft (voice) · Executive Producer
- *Mr. Corman* (2021), series, as Josh Corman · Executive Producer, Director, Writer, Songs, Creator
- *The Trial of the Chicago 7* (2020), as Richard Schultz
- *Project Power* (2020), as Frank
- *Create Together* (2020), series, Creator
- *7500* (2019), as Tobias Ellis
- *Knives Out* (2019), as Detective Hardrock (voice) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md)
- *Band Together with Logic* (2019), Director, Executive Producer
- *Endgame* (2018), as Guard
- *Explained* (2018), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* (2017), as Slowen Lo (voice) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-last-jedi.md)
- *Comrade Detective* (2017), series, as Iosif Baciu (voice)
- *Snowden* (2016), as Edward Snowden
- *Straight Outta OZ* (2016), Actor
- *The Night Before* (2015), as Ethan
- *The Walk* (2015), as Philippe Petit
- *Seth Rogen's Hilarity for Charity* (2014), Actor
- *Sin City: A Dame to Kill For* (2014), as Johnny
- *Sleep Cycle* (2014), Director
- *HitRECord on TV with Joseph Gordon-Levitt* (2014), series, Executive Producer, Director, Creator
- *One Song* (2014), Producer
- *Vinegar* (2013), as Vinny (voice)
- *Don Jon* (2013), as Jon Martello, Jr. · Director, Writer
- *Django Unchained* (2012), Thanks — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/django-unchained.md)
- *Lincoln* (2012), as Robert Lincoln — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *Looper* (2012), as Joe · Executive Producer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/looper.md)
- *The Mindy Project* (2012), series, as Matt Sherman — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mindy-project.md)
- *The Blue Dildo* (2012), Director, Writer
- *Premium Rush* (2012), as Wilee
- *The Dark Knight Rises* (2012), as Blake — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-dark-knight-rises.md)
- *50/50* (2011), as Adam Lerner
- *Elektra Luxx* (2011), as Bert Rodriguez
- *Inception* (2010), as Arthur — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/inception.md)
- *Morgan and Destiny's Eleventeenth Date: The Zeppelin Zoo* (2010), Morgan M. Morgensen / Narrator, Director
- *Morgan M. Morgansen's Date with Destiny* (2010), Morgan M. Morgensen / Narrator, Director, Editor
- *Hesher* (2010), as Hesher
- *Uncertainty* (2009), as Bobby
- *Women in Trouble* (2009), as Bert Rodriguez
- *G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra* (2009), as The Doctor / Rex
- *(500) Days of Summer* (2009), as Tom
- *Sparks* (2009), Director, Writer, Producer
- *Big Breaks* (2008), as Todd Sterling
- *Killshot* (2008), as Richie Nix — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/killshot.md)
- *Miracle at St. Anna* (2008), as Tim Boyle
- *The Brothers Bloom* (2008), as Bar Patron
- *Stop-Loss* (2008), as Tommy Burgess
- *The Lookout* (2007), as Chris Pratt
- *Brick* (2006), as Brendan Frye — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/brick.md)
- *Escargots* (2006), Director
- *Havoc* (2005), as Sam
- *Shadowboxer* (2005), as Dr. Don
- *Mysterious Skin* (2005), as Neil McCormick
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Scott Reynolds
- *Latter Days* (2004), as Elder Paul Ryder
- *Treasure Planet* (2002), as Jim Hawkins (voice)
- *Manic* (2002), as Lyle
- *Forever Lulu* (2000), as Martin Ellsworth
- *Picking Up the Pieces* (2000), as Flaco
- *10 Things I Hate About You* (1999), as Cameron James — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/10-things-i-hate-about-you.md)
- *That '70s Show* (1998), series, as Buddy
- *Halloween H20: 20 Years Later* (1998), as Jimmy
- *Sweet Jane* (1998), as Tony
- *The Juror* (1996), as Oliver
- *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as Tommy Solomon
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Zach Henniger, Teenage Boy
- *The Great Elephant Escape* (1995), as Matthew „Matt“ Cunningham
- *Angels in the Outfield* (1994), as Roger
- *The Road Killers* (1994), as Rich
- *Holy Matrimony* (1994), as Zeke
- *Gregory K* (1993), as Gregory Kingsley
- *Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman* (1993), series, as Zack Lawson
- *A River Runs Through It* (1992), as Young Norman
- *Beethoven* (1992), as Student #1 — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/beethoven.md)
- *The Powers That Be* (1992), series, as Pierce Van Horne
- *Plymouth* (1991), as Simon
- *Hi Honey - I'm Dead* (1991), as Josh Stadler
- *Changes* (1991), as Matt Hallam
- *Dark Shadows* (1991), series, as Daniel Collins, David Collins / Daniel Collins, David Collins
- *Quantum Leap* (1989), series, as Kyle
- *Roseanne* (1988), series, as George — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/roseanne.md)
- *China Beach* (1988), series, Actor
- *Stranger on My Land* (1988), as Rounder
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Ricky Berg
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Boy #1
- *Family Ties* (1982), series, as Dougie
- *White Night*, as James Jones
- *2034*, Director, Screenplay, Producer
- *Weezer: Security Threat*, Actor
- *Nobody Nothing Nowhere*, as Producer
- *Seductive Poison*, series, Actor
- *Sovereign*, Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-7aa74a0928df.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Colleen Sturtevant, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Joseph_Gordon_Levitt_Sundance_Film_Festival_2026_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Joseph_Gordon_Levitt_Sundance_Film_Festival_2026_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dave Karger, Oliver Stone, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Zachary Quinto speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Snowden", at t](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-10e4885f16ed.jpg) Dave Karger, Oliver Stone, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Zachary Quinto speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Snowden", at t — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Dave_Karger%2C_Oliver_Stone%2C_Joseph_Gordon-Levitt%2C_Shailene_Woodley_%26_Zachary_Quinto_%2828247842350%29.jpg/1280px-Dave_Karger%2C_Oliver_Stone%2C_Joseph_Gordon-Levitt%2C_Shailene_Woodley_%26_Zachary_Quinto_%2828247842350%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Director Gregg Araki and Joseph Gordon Levitt present a screening of "Mysterious Skin" at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-f5cbe2b3c09b.jpg) Director Gregg Araki and Joseph Gordon Levitt present a screening of "Mysterious Skin" at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival — Colleen Sturtevant, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/GreggArakiJosephGordonLevittattheSundanceFilmFestival2026.jpg/1280px-GreggArakiJosephGordonLevittattheSundanceFilmFestival2026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rian Johnson speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-5c125209100d.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rian Johnson speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Joseph_Gordon-Levitt_%26_Rian_Johnson_%286855056308%29.jpg/1280px-Joseph_Gordon-Levitt_%26_Rian_Johnson_%286855056308%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-bf315dfb9c68.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Image via TMDB
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-2f32a3ffe81b.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Image via TMDB
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-801a8c8d3284.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Image via TMDB
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Snowden", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-0afa1e7aca37.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Snowden", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Joseph_Gordon-Levitt_%26_Shailene_Woodley_%2828425484212%29.jpg/1280px-Joseph_Gordon-Levitt_%26_Shailene_Woodley_%2828425484212%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Snowden", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-cd9364eb7f35.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Snowden", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Joseph_Gordon-Levitt_%26_Shailene_Woodley_%2828499587576%29.jpg/1280px-Joseph_Gordon-Levitt_%26_Shailene_Woodley_%2828499587576%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-d4999787141e.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Image via TMDB
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-777a3e175e1f.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Image via TMDB
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://film.one/media/person/99461/gallery-c334c35874a2.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/joseph-gordon-levitt