Jared Joseph Leto (born December 26, 1971) is an American actor and musician. His first major acting performance was as Jordan Catalano in the television series My So-Called Life. This led to a growing film career, including a critically acclaimed portrayal of a drug addict in Requiem for a Dream. Additionally, Leto is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter of the rock band 30 Seconds to Mars.

Early life

Jared Leto was born on December 26, 1971 in Bossier City, Louisiana. During his childhood, Leto and his family — his mother, Constance, and his older brother Shannon Leto — moved frequently, living in Louisiana, Wyoming, Colorado, Virginia, and even Haiti.

When he finished school, Leto enrolled at Philadelphia's University of the Arts to pursue his interests in painting. However, he then transferred to New York City's School of Visual Arts after developing an interest in acting.After dropping out briefly in the 10th grade, Jared decided to return and focus on his education at Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA. He graduated from Emerson Preparatory School in 1989

Film

In 1992, Leto moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Two years later, he landed a role in the TV show My So-Called Life in which he played Jordan Catalano, opposite Claire Danes. After the show ended in 1995, Leto acted in several films such as How to Make an American Quilt, "Girl, Interrupted", Urban Legend, The Thin Red Line, Prefontaine and Fight Club, among others.

However, it was his portrayal of heroin addict Harry Goldfarb in Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream that garnered him more critical praise. After that, he returned with David Fincher for Panic Room, then acted opposite Colin Farrell in Oliver Stone's Alexander, and later with Nicolas Cage in Lord of War.

Leto is a vegetarian and especially mentions this in interviews where he talked about his increase of weight for the film Chapter 27 (alongside Lindsay Lohan) in which he plays John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman.Fact: date=August 2007 He gained more than 60 pounds for this role.

He is set to star in the film Mr. Nobody, playing the lead role, and is currently in talks to play a god in Osiris Release.

Music

main: 30 Seconds to Mars Aside from his film career, Jared Leto is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and sole songwriter of the band 30 Seconds to Mars along with his brother, Shannon Leto, on drums. They started the band in 1998 and have released two albums: their eponymous debut 30 Seconds to Mars and 2005's A Beautiful Lie. They began opening for other bands and started their first ever headlining tour, Forever Night Never Day, in March of 2006. In May 2007, they started touring Europe, as the opening act for Linkin Park. In August 2008, Virgin Records filed a $30 million lawsuit against Jared and 30 Seconds To Mars, claiming the band refused to deliver three albums as required by its contract. According to the lawsuit, the band "repudiated" a 1999 contract in July. There is not an official release date for their third upcoming album, and it is unknown how the lawsuit will affect its release