Who is Gwyneth Paltrow’s director brother, Jake? He’s worked with actors including Penélope Cruz and Martin Freeman – but initially didn’t want to cast the Goop founder in his film The Good Night
Jake has followed in the footsteps of the siblings’ famous father, director Bruce Paltrow; his most recent movie, June Zero, was named one of the best films of 2024
Gwyneth Paltrow may be a Hollywood icon, but her younger brother Jake Paltrow is paving his own way.
The talented filmmaker, whose parents are Bruce Paltrow and Blythe Danner, saw his most recent film – June Zero – named one of the best films of 2024. When The Washington Post bestowed the honour upon him, his famous sister celebrated the feat by sharing the news on her Instagram Story. Like a proud older sibling, the 51-year-old added the gold medal and trophy emojis too. She also gave him a shoutout on her Instagram grid, dedicating a post to praising her “brilliant brother”.
A young Jake and Gwyneth Paltrow with their parents Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow. Photo: @sonofsicilia/Instagram
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The Goop founder and CEO, who’d previously taken a break from acting to focus on the brand, is set to make her big comeback later this year with A24’s Marty Supreme alongside Timothée Chalamet. She credited her return to her daughter Apple’s crush on the Dune actor and Jake Paltrow’s influence as a fan of director Josh Safdie, who is helming the project.
So, what else do we know about Gwyneth Paltrow’s brother, Jake Paltrow?
He works behind the camera
Jake Paltrow’s June Zero was named one of the best films of the year in 2024. Photo: IMDB
Though Jake Paltrow appeared as an actor just once – in the 2010 Ben Stiller-fronted film Greenberg – he clearly decided he was better off behind the camera and has exclusively focused on writing and directing since then. His first feature film was The Good Night (2007) starring Penélope Cruz, British actor Martin Freeman and his sister Gwyneth. He also directed episodes of NYPD Blue and Boardwalk Empire but gained prominence with 2014’s Young Ones. He also once revealed to The Daily Courier that the character of Ernest in the film was inspired by his dad. His latest project, June Zero, was created in 2022 but only hit cinemas in 2024. It was influenced by his late father’s interest in Jewish history, especially during the second world war and the Holocaust.
He didn’t want to cast his sister in his film
Jake Paltrow was initially sceptical about casting his sister in The Good Night. Photo: @gwynethdakotascarjo/Instagram
Jake Paltrow didn’t have his sister in mind when casting for The Good Night – he worried her name would overshadow his work. However, the Oscar-winning actress insisted he pick her. “I just read it as a sister and a friend … But I thought it was really brilliant, and I said, would you ever want me to be in it?” Gwyneth told New York Magazine. Jake said no initially, but when Gwyneth learned about the rest of the cast, she grew more determined. “He got this great cast together and I was like, come on, please?” the Proof actress recalled.
