Trivia

After spending six seasons on 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996), he attended Columbia University in New York City. He studied history, literature and French poetry.

Had an older brother, Dan Gordon-Levitt, who passed away in October 2010. He was a photographer and a world-renowned fire spinner.

Speaks French.

Always wears colorful, mismatched socks as a tribute to his late brother.

When Marion Cotillard was honored at Hollywood Film Festival in 2012, he presented the tribute to her in French, Cotillard's native language. Levitt and Cotillard were co-stars in El origen (2010) and Batman: El caballero de la noche asciende (2012).

Originally, James Franco was set to play the role of Arthur in El origen (2010); however, due to scheduling conflicts, James was forced to drop out of the film and the director of the film, Christopher Nolan, later gave the role to Joseph.

Enjoys playing the drums and the guitar.

He is entirely of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

Good friends with Channing Tatum and David Krumholtz. Also friends with Leonardo DiCaprio, Zooey Deschanel, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt.

He has said that he has been told many times by producers that he needed to pack on some weight because he appeared "too skinny" on screen. He did bulk up recently, but only to more greatly resemble a young Bruce Willis in their film Asesino del futuro (2012).

His favorite actors include Daniel Day-Lewis, Warren Oates, Gary Oldman, and Gena Rowlands.

His acting mentor is John Lithgow.

Began acting at the age of six with auditioning and landing small roles in commercials and television until he landed his breakout role in 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996).

Joseph is often said to bear a striking resemblance to his 10 cosas que odio de ti (1999) co-star, Heath Ledger. Both actors also played significant roles in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy with Heath as Batman's nemesis, The Joker, in Batman: El caballero de la noche (2008) and Joseph as Batman's ally, Officer John Blake, in Batman: El caballero de la noche asciende (2012).

Graduated from Van Nuys High School with honors in June 1999.

Joseph's parents, Jane Gordon and Dennis Levitt, met as political activists in California. Gordon ran for Congress, in 1970, with the Peace and Freedom Party. Both are founders of the Progressive Jewish Alliance.

Was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, but moved to New York City after attending college at Columbia University.

Joseph's paternal grandfather, Milton Levitt, was born Milton Levitz in Ohio; Milton's father, Louis Levitz, was a Russian Jewish immigrant, and Milton's mother, Fraudel "Fannie" Isaacson, was born in 1894, in then-Ottoman Palestine, to a Russian Jewish family (that wave of movement to the area was known as the "First Aliyah"). Joseph's paternal grandmother, Celia Roth, was born in Pennsylvania, to Polish Jewish parents. Joseph's maternal grandfather, Michael Gordon, was born Irving Kunin Gordon in Maryland, to a Jewish family from Lithuania and Russia, while Joseph's maternal grandmother, Elizabeth A. Cohn, was born in Ohio, to a Romanian Jewish father and a Russian Jewish mother. Joseph's grandfather Michael Gordon was a prominent Hollywood film director, who directed such classic films as Cyrano de Bergerac (1950), Problemas de alcoba (1959), Retrato en negro (1960), and many others. His career was crippled when he was blacklisted during the McCarthy-era "Red Scare" panic that swept the US in the 1950s.

Joseph was nominated for a Tony Award in 2009 for Best Special Theatrical Event with his fellow producers of the Broadway show "Slava's Snowshow".

Was ranked #6 on Entertainment Weekly's '30 Under 30' the actors list (2008).

Has starred in three films with good friends Channing Tatum and Anne Hathaway. He and Tatum starred in Ausente (2008) and G.I. Joe - El origen de cobra (2009). He and Hathaway starred in Havoc (2000) and Batman: El caballero de la noche asciende (2012) and all three of them starred together in Un atrevido don Juan (2013) (which Levitt wrote and directed).

He and his good friend Zooey Deschanel starred in two films together: Manic (2001) and 500 días con ella (2009).

As of 2021, he has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: El origen (2010), Lincoln (2012) and El juicio de los 7 de Chicago (2020).

In 2000 Gordon-Levitt attend Columbia University. At that time, actors Rider Strong, Julia Stiles and Anna Paquin were all registered students at the university.

Grew up with Beverley Mitchell. They attended the same acting class for many years as aspiring child actors.

Has a long history of pointing out the differences in the way that men and women are treated.

Good friends with Piel misteriosa (2004) co-star, Michelle Trachtenberg.

He appeared in a preschool production of "The Wizard of Oz" before he began acting professionally.

Auditioned for the role of Elder Aaron Davis in Últimos días (2003) before winning the role of Elder Paul Ryder.

He guest starred in two unrelated television series featuring a regular character named Sam Beckett: Playa de China (1988) and Viajeros en el tiempo (1989).

Born on exactly the same date as Paris Hilton.

He has appeared in six projects that featured a number in the titles: Halloween: H20 (1998), 10 cosas que odio de ti (1999), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996), 500 días con ella (2009), 50/50 (2011), and 7500 (2019).

London, England, United Kingdom: Filming Batman: El caballero de la noche asciende (2012). (mayo de 2011)

Beijing, China: Filming his movie Asesino del futuro (2012). (abril de 2011)