Oscar-winning actor and rocker Jared Leto was born in Bossier City, Louisiana, on December 26, 1971. He first rose to fame in 1994 as brooding teen Jordan Catalano on the beloved TV drama My So-Called Life. Just a year later, he made his film debut in How to Make an American Quilt and quickly built a reputation for taking on edgy, complex roles. Over the years, he has built a reputation for taking on bold and transformative roles, with standout performances in Girl, Interrupted, American Psycho, Fight Club, and Requiem for a Dream. His portrayal of Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club (2013) earned him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, while his turn as the Joker in Suicide Squad (2016) cemented his presence in blockbuster films.
In recent years, Leto has continued to balance Hollywood and music. He starred in Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci (2021), played the lead in Marvel’s Morbius (2022), and will headline Disney’s highly anticipated TRON: Ares, set to release on October 10, 2025. He is also slated to appear in the new Masters of the Universe film as Skeletor. Outside of acting, Jared is the frontman of Thirty Seconds to Mars, the rock band he co-founded with his brother Shannon in 1998. Since their 2002 debut, the band has sold millions of records worldwide and developed a dedicated fan base.
A longtime vegan, Leto is also deeply involved in philanthropy, particularly in causes supporting animal rights and environmental awareness.
Scroll through the gallery to see Jared’s best photos from the big screen, the stage, and beyond!
