Jake Gyllenhaal has never been easy to box into. Over the years, he’s taken on everything from intense thrillers and superhero movies to Broadway musicals, constantly proving he’s more than just a leading man. But long before his magnetic onscreen performances, he would listen to this one song as a kid that left a lasting impression on him.
While discussing the music that has shaped his life, Gyllenhaal quickly mentioned this classic track from the 1950s that still influences the way he thinks about acting and performing. Check it out below!
Danny Kaye’s Track That Continues To Inspire Jake Gyllenhaal
Speaking to KCRW about the most influential songs in his life, the actor highlighted the one he loved since childhood. It is the 1952 song ‘Inchworm’ that Danny Kaye first performed in the musical ‘Hans Christian Andersen.’
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“I would say ‘Inchworm’…because Danny Kaye was and is still a huge influence on me as an actor and a performer. I just watched him so much when I was a kid, and he had this love of entertaining, I think I’ve heard also about him this real love of children and caring for them, and you can tell that in this song.”
Gyllenhaal’s words show that it’s not just that song that inspires him. It also has to do with Kaye’s charm, passion, and gentle screen presence that affected and shaped the way he looks at the entertainment field.
For those not in the know, ‘Inchworm’ is a fun little song performed by Kaye to teach maths to his young students while counting flowers. On first watch, it may come off as a nursery rhyme with a beautiful melody and soothing vocals. But its meaning goes far beyond that.
Many praise it for its smart use of counterpoint and touching message. The song contrasts a kid doing arithmetic with the inchworm singing about his life crawling between flowers. The track urges its listeners to slow down and enjoy life. It’s no surprise Gyllenhaal still loves this song.
On a personal front, we can see how it has influenced the actor. It’s no secret that Gyllenhaal, uncle to his sister Maggie’s daughters, absolutely loves kids. Inspired by kids at home, he has even co-written a children’s book titled ‘The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles.’
A Song That Influenced Generations Of Listeners
Despite its seemingly innocent and straightforward purpose, the song has gained popularity. It has become one of the most famous musical numbers featuring Kaye. The influence of ‘Inchworm’ goes beyond the original musical in which it first appeared. In the years that followed, many famous artists performed it.
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These include Paul McCartney and David Bowie, among others. The latter used ‘Inchworm’ as his main inspiration in composing his 1980 hit track ‘Ashes to Ashes.’ “There’s something so sad and mournful and poignant about it,” he said.
“It kept bringing me back to the feelings of those pure thoughts of sadness that you have as a child, and how they’re so identifiable even when you’re an adult.” Back at Gyllenhaal, the actor’s fondness for Kaye and his work easily explains the choice of Broadway musical he played in.
In 2017, he made his Broadway musical debut. He starred as Georges Seurat in ‘Sunday in the Park with George.’ Through his role, he showed the same love of entertaining in his work. Now, he’s buckling up for the release of ‘Road House 2,’ which may arrive in late 2026 or next year.
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