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Peter Sarsgaard Explains the ‘Sacrifice’ of Taking on New Roles (Exclusive)
Marriage between two working actors has its own set of challenges.
When Peter Sarsgaard, 53, sat down with PEOPLE recently to discuss his new movie September 5, the actor, who is married to Maggie Gyllenhaal, said he purposefully takes on fewer roles for his family’s sake while sharing that that he and Gyllenhaal, 47, “take turns in terms of our work.”
“I think at one point I used to think that I would work more if I could. But I think that’s wrong,” he says. “I think I would’ve done a lot more things that I was not proud of. So when I say yes to do something, it’s some type of sacrifice for me. Not a big one. Everyone else has got bigger sacrifices in the world, but just talking artistically — I can’t work constantly. I have a whole other life. I have a family.”
Sarsgaard and Gyllenhaal first met at a dinner in 2001. The couple began dating by 2002, and their rep told PEOPLE exclusively in 2006 that they were engaged and expecting their first child together. They married in May 2009 and share two daughters: Ramona, 18, and Gloria Ray, 13.
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The actor points to meeting September 5 director Tim Fehlbaum for the first time as an example of his approach to choosing projects. He portrays Roone Arledge, the late ABC News executive, in the movie, a recollection of the Munich massacre at the 1972 Olympics in Germany from the perspective of the ABC Sports broadcast team. “I am not shy about kicking the tires and making sure he’s as serious as I am about making this thing the best thing it can be,” Sarsgaard says.
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“But I don’t know if I have couple advice,” he adds. “I think every couple is as unique as every person. I think it would be a lot more difficult to be married to someone who had a more consistent type of employment in one place.”
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Both Sarsgaard and Gyllenhaal have enjoyed successful acting careers. Gyllenhaal has even dipped her toes into directing with 2021’s The Lost Daughter, which her husband appeared in. She is currently working on a new film titled The Bride, which is based on Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein and also features Sarsgaard and her brother Jake Gyllenhaal alongside leads Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley.
“I’ve seen several cuts of it and I just think it’s absolutely phenomenal,” Sarsgaard tells PEOPLE. “I can’t wait for people to see it.”
September 5 is in limited theaters now and expands everywhere Jan. 17.
Peter Sarsgaard is no stranger to taking on challenging and complex roles in his acting career. From playing a troubled journalist in “Shattered Glass” to a manipulative husband in “An Education,” Sarsgaard has always been drawn to characters that push him out of his comfort zone.
In an exclusive interview, Sarsgaard opens up about the sacrifices he makes when taking on new roles. “When I choose a role, I have to be willing to fully immerse myself in that character’s world,” he explains. “That means sacrificing my own preconceived notions and beliefs in order to fully understand and embody the character.”
Sarsgaard admits that this level of commitment can be daunting at times, but he believes it is essential to creating a truly authentic performance. “I have to be willing to take risks and challenge myself in order to portray a character truthfully,” he says. “That often means sacrificing my own comfort and safety in order to fully inhabit the role.”
Despite the challenges, Sarsgaard is grateful for the opportunity to grow and evolve as an actor through taking on new roles. “Each role I take on allows me to explore different aspects of human nature and push myself to new heights as a performer,” he says. “It may be a sacrifice, but it’s a sacrifice worth making in order to create art that resonates with audiences.”
As Sarsgaard continues to take on new and diverse roles, he remains committed to the sacrifices and challenges that come with the territory. “Acting is a constantly evolving craft, and I am always looking for new ways to challenge myself and grow as an artist,” he says. “The sacrifices I make along the way are just part of the journey towards creating truly memorable and impactful performances.”
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Peter Sarsgaard, Sacrifice, New Roles, Exclusive Interview, Acting, Hollywood, Actor Insights, Character Development, Method Acting
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