Their love story becomes a tragedy set against the backdrop of a 1960s American society that lacked acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.
Owen Gleiberman of Variety commented, "Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger's performances are unforgettable. Ledger transforms Ennis into a symbol of unspoken love,". Upon its release, the film resonated deeply, winning three of its eight Oscar nominations. Video: Focus Features
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Jake Gyllenhaal played Jack Twist, whose personality contrasted with Ennis's. Jack yearned to live authentically, seeking a fulfilling life with his lover despite knowing it was improbable. Gyllenhaal conveyed both tenderness and vulnerability. The role earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination and elevated his career. Photo: Focus Features |
Heath Ledger portrayed Ennis Del Mar, a cowboy torn by his love for Jack Twist while grappling with societal constraints. His portrayal of pain and repressed emotions earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2006. Photo: Focus Features
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Michelle Williams played Alma, Ennis's wife. She discovers her husband's relationship with Jack but remains silent, suffering the pain of betrayal. Her portrayal of restraint and marital anguish earned her her first Oscar nomination. Photo: Focus Features |
In 2008, Heath Ledger tragically died at 29 from a drug overdose, leaving fans devastated. Three years after the success of "Brokeback Mountain", he passed away at the height of his career, with memorable roles in "Lords of Dogtown", "Casanova", "Candy", "I’m Not There", and most notably as the Joker in "The Dark Knight". His final role was in "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" (2009), completed with the help of his colleagues.
Ledger had a relationship with Michelle Williams after filming "Brokeback Mountain". They had a daughter, Matilda, and moved to Brooklyn, seeking a quieter life away from Hollywood's spotlight. Despite their 2007 breakup, Williams has often spoken of him with respect. Photo: WireImage
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Anne Hathaway played Lureen Newsome, a rodeo rider who later marries Jack Twist. She becomes distant in a loveless marriage. Despite limited screen time, Hathaway conveyed Lureen's loneliness and helplessness in her relationship with Jack. Photo: Focus Features |
Jake Gyllenhaal played Jack Twist, whose personality contrasted with Ennis's. Jack yearned to live authentically, seeking a fulfilling life with his lover despite knowing it was improbable. Gyllenhaal conveyed both tenderness and vulnerability. The role earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination and elevated his career. Photo: Focus Features
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After "Brokeback Mountain", Jake Gyllenhaal became an A-list Hollywood star, starring in critically acclaimed films like "Zodiac", "Prisoners", "Nightcrawler", "Nocturnal Animals", and "Stronger". In 2024, he garnered attention as Elwood Dalton in the "Road House" remake.
Gyllenhaal, 45, is also a Broadway star with three Tony nominations. On television, he starred in and produced the series "Presumed Innocent", which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. This year, he's involved in projects like "The Bride!", "Remain", "In the Grey", and the "Road House" sequel. He runs the production company Nine Stories, currently developing "Code Black", which he will star in and co-produce.
Gyllenhaal has dated stars like Kirsten Dunst, Reese Witherspoon, Taylor Swift, and model Alyssa Miller. Since late 2018, he's been in a relationship with French model Jeanne Cadieu. Photo: Golden Globes
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Michelle Williams played Alma, Ennis's wife. She discovers her husband's relationship with Jack but remains silent, suffering the pain of betrayal. Her portrayal of restraint and marital anguish earned her her first Oscar nomination. Photo: Focus Features
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Michelle Williams solidified her acting prowess with roles in "Blue Valentine", "My Week With Marilyn", "Manchester by the Sea", "The Fabelmans", "Shutter Island", and "The Greatest Showman". On stage, she starred in "Cabaret" (2014) and "Blackbird" (2016), earning a Tony nomination.
After "The Fabelmans", Williams took a two-year hiatus from acting. She recently returned with the series "Dying for Sex" and has the upcoming project "A Place in Hell".
Williams has a daughter with Heath Ledger. After a period as a single mother, she married musician Phil Elverum in 2018, but they divorced shortly after. In 2020, she remarried, to director Thomas Kail ("Fosse/Verdon"), and has another child. She now maintains a private life with her family. Photo: Marie Claire
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Anne Hathaway played Lureen Newsome, a rodeo rider who later marries Jack Twist. She becomes distant in a loveless marriage. Despite limited screen time, Hathaway conveyed Lureen's loneliness and helplessness in her relationship with Jack. Photo: Focus Features
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Anne Hathaway, 43, gained recognition with "The Princess Diaries", but her role as Lureen in "Brokeback Mountain" established her as a promising actress. She's also known for "The Devil Wears Prada", "Interstellar", "Ocean's 8", and "The Idea of You".
In 2012, she won an Oscar for her portrayal of Fantine in "Les Miserables" and impressed as Catwoman in "The Dark Knight Rises". In 10/2024, she confirmed her return as Mia in "The Princess Diaries 3". Her upcoming projects include "Mother Mary", "Flowervale Street", "The Odyssey", "The Devil Wears Prada 2", and "Verity".
In 2008, Hathaway began dating businessman Adam Shulman. They married four years later, have two sons, and live in New York. Photo: Wire Image
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Linda Cardellini, 50, played Cassie Cartwright, a waitress who has a brief relationship with Ennis after his divorce. Their relationship ends due to Ennis's emotional distance. Cardellini's performance portrayed a woman yearning for love but left unfulfilled.
After "Brokeback Mountain", Cardellini appeared in the series "Dead to Me", "Mad Men", and "Bloodline", and films like "Green Book", "A Simple Favor", and "Nonnas". She also joined the Marvel Universe as Laura Barton and voiced Lylla in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3". She's set to appear in the series "Crystal Lake".
Cardellini dated Jason Segel after "Freaks and Geeks". She and her partner, Steven Rodriguez, have a daughter born in 2012 and became engaged in 2013. Photo: Focus Features/Netflix
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Anna Faris, 47, played Lashawn Malone, a friend of Jack and Lureen. She's known for comedies like "The House Bunny", "Overboard", and "My Spy: The Eternal City", and voice work in "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks". She hosts the podcast "Unqualified" and will appear in "Scary Movie 6" and "I, Object".
Faris married actor Ben Indra in 2004 and divorced four years later. In 2009, she married Chris Pratt, with whom she has a son, before divorcing in 2018. Three years later, she married director Michael Barrett. Photo: Focus Features/NBC
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David Harbour, 50, played Randall Malone, Lashawn's husband. This was one of Harbour's early film roles before he became a familiar Hollywood face.
He gained global fame as Jim Hopper in "Stranger Things", earning two Emmy nominations. His film credits include "Hellboy", "Violent Night", "We Have a Ghost", and "Gran Turismo". He's part of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe, playing Red Guardian in "Black Widow" and "Thunderbolts" and voicing Eric Frankenstein in "Creature Commandos".
Harbour dated singer Alison Sudol and actress Julia Stiles before marrying Lily Allen in 2020. According to People, they separated in February. He's a sports fan, supporting the New York Rangers hockey team, and has overcome alcohol addiction and bipolar disorder. Photo: Focus Features/GQ
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Randy Quaid played Joe Aguirre, the ranch owner who hires Ennis and Jack to herd sheep on Brokeback Mountain. His character represents conservatism and pragmatism, reflecting the societal context the two protagonists face.
The 75-year-old actor was nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for his role in "The Last Detail" (1973). In 3/2006, Quaid sued the producers, alleging low pay, but withdrew the lawsuit after two months. He acted in "Ghosts" (2006), "Real Time" (2008), and "Balls Out" (2009) before his career was interrupted by accusations of fraud and theft. His most recent appearance was in the independent film "All You Can Eat" (2018). Photo: Focus Features/Los Angeles Times
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