Happy Birthday! Jared Leto Turns 45 Years Old Today

Happy birthday, Jared Leto! The actor and musicians turns 45 today.

Born in December 1971, Leto grew up in Louisiana with his mother Constance and older brother Shannon. His mother was a staunch advocate for the arts, so Leto was encouraged to express himself through creative avenues. From an early age, Leto and his brother began tinkering with musical instruments and went on to attend the University of the Arts in Philaelphia before transferring to New York City's School of Visual Arts.

By 1992, Leto had started to pursue his professional career in film after moving to Los Angeles. He found success with minor television roles, but Leto's first break came in the teen drama My So-Called Life. The short-lived show exposed Leto to a larger pool of fans, and it helped him nab roles in future projects like Prefontaine and Basil.

In 1998, Leto's acting career took a momentary pause when the actor founded the band Thirty Second to Mars with his brother. The group signed with Immortal Records, and Leto refused to use his popularity as an actor lead his band into a momentary high. Like the rest of his bandmates, Leto wanted the group's music to speak for itself.

A few years after Thirty Seconds To Mars was kicked off, Leto was cast in projects like American Psycho and Requiem for a Dream. Leto used intense method acting for both roles, and he was praised by both fans and critics for the latter movie in particular. Next, Leto appeared in Highway before his band's debut album released in August 2002 to rave reviews.

These days, Leto is still known as a visionary in the world of entertainment because of his music and acting talent. Thirty Seconds to Mars has released a slew of hit albums which have garnered nominations from MTV and more.

As for his acting career, Leto returned to the profession with gusto back in 2013. His hiatus ended after Leto starred in Dallas Buyers Club as a transgender, drug addict. Leto's work was universally praised and even won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Most recently, Leto returned to film in Suicide Squad as the actor played the Joker, Batman's most iconic nemesis.

Happy birthday, Jared!