Before You See Don Jon, Find Out What Makes Joseph Gordon-Levitt Tick

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Who doesn't love Joseph Gordon-Levitt lately? Seriously, go outside and try to find someone — I'll wait.

You had a tough time, didn't you? Between his romantic offerings like (500) Days of Summer and his gun-toting Bruce Willis flicks like Looper (not to mention his playing the coolest Robin Gotham City has had since...well, since ever), JGL has an all-around appeal Hollywood doesn't snatch up very often. Plus, his work behind the camera writing and directing Don Jon shows off that self-reflective introspection the ladies just can't get enough of. Add his production company hitRECord and his predilection towards taking selfies on top and you have one seriously talented and interesting guy who likes his privacy and is dedicated to projects he can be proud of.

So, before you meet up with friends to check him out in his new film, here's some useful facts about the 32-year-old actor we all know and love.

Born Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt on February 17, 1981 in Los Angeles, he was raised in a Jewish family with his late older brother, Dan Gordon-Levitt — who was a fire spinner and photographer. His mom ran for congress in the 1970s with the Peace and Freedom party, and his dad once produced Radio Station in LA.

His maternal grandfather is Michael Gordon, a movie director from the 1940s to 1970s who directed Pillow Talk.