JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT
FROM ALIEN TEEN TO ANXIOUS TEACHER
By Michael Ahr
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is starring as an unfulfilled teacher in Mr. Corman on Apple TV+, but the actor’s career has been as fulfilling as they come.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Gordon-Levitt began acting young and stole his scenes as a seven-year-old opposite Tommy Lee Jones in 1988’s Stranger On My Land.
He landed roles in several notable films in his teen years, including A River Runs Through It, Angels in the Outfield, and 10 Things I Hate About You.
Angels in the Outfield
Gordon-Levitt’s breakout television role was as Tommy on 3rd Rock from the Sun, the eldest member of an Earthbound alien crew who was trapped in the body of a teenage boy.
The role won Gordon-Levitt three Screen Actor’s Guild nominations during the six-season run of the NBC sitcom.
Gordon-Levitt continued working throughout his twenties, but it was arguably his role in 2010’s Inception that brought him back to the attention of mainstream theater audiences.
His transformation into a young Bruce Willis also wowed viewers in the time travel film, Looper, in 2012.
It was a banner year for Gordon-Levitt, as he also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.
The Dark Knight Rises
Gordon-Levitt now returns to television in the title role of Mr. Corman, an indie comedy coming to Apple TV+ on August 6.
He also created, directed, and produced the series, building on his behind-the-scenes career which began with his acclaimed first screenplay for 2013’s Don Jon.
Mr. Corman highlights Gordon-Levitt’s proven ability to entertain, even as a miserable middle school teacher with anxiety attacks and other insecurities.