Man Candy Monday: Jared Leto

By
Michael Rosen
-
Man Candy Monday: Jared Leto (source: jared-leto.net)

Who is Jared Leto? The Vital Stats:

  • Name: Jared Joseph Leto
  • Nicknames: J
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Age: 40
  • Born: December 26, 1971 in Bossier City, Louisiana
  • Profession: Musician, Actor, Songwriter, Producer, Director, Photographer
  • Status: Unknown at time of publication
  • Filmography (year, title, role):

1992-1993: Camp Wilder (Dexter) – television series, 2 episodes
1993: Almost Home (Rick Aiken) – television series, 1 episode “The Fox and the Hound”
1994-1995: My So-Called Life (Jordan Catalano) – television series, 19 episodes
1994: Cool and the Crazy (Michael) – made for TV movie
1995: How to Make an American Quilt (Beck) – feature film
1996: The Last of the High Kings/Summer Fling (Frankie Griffin) – feature film
1997: Prefontaine (Steve Prefontaine) – feature film
1997: Switchback (Lane Dixon) – feature film
1998: Basil (Basil) – feature film
1998: Urban Legend (Paul Gardner) – feature film
1998: The Thin Red Line (Second Lieutenant Whyte) – feature film
1998: Wildlife Adventures (himself) – television series, 1 episode “Alaska’s Bush Pilots”
1999: Black and White (Casey) – feature film
1999: Fight Club (Angel Face) – feature film
1999: Girl, Interrupted (Tobias “Toby” Jacobs) – feature film
2000: American Psycho (Paul Allen) – feature film
2000: Requiem for a Dream (Harry Goldfarb) – feature film
2000: Sunset Strip (Glen Walker) – feature film
2001: Sol Goode (Rock Star Wannabe) – feature film, uncredited cameo
2002: Highway (Jack Hayes) – feature film
2002: Panic Room (Junior) – feature film
2002: Phone Booth (actor) – feature film, uncredited cameo
2003: Player$ (himself) – television series, 1 episode “Posehn, Papa and Mars”
2003: Hollywood High (himself) – documentary
2004: Alexander (Hephaestion) – feature film
2005: Herbert Selby Jr: It’ll Be Better Tomorrow (himself) – feature length documentary film
2005: Lord of War (Vitaly Orlov) – feature film
2006: Lonely Hearts (Raymond Fernandez) – feature film
2006: The Armenian Genocide (narrator) – documentary
2007: Chapter 27 (Mark David Chapman) – feature film
2009: Mr. Nobody (Nemo Nobody) – feature film
2011: TT3D: Closer to the Edge (narrator) – feature length documentary film

  • Discography – 30 Seconds to Mars (year, title, format, label)

2002: 30 Seconds to Mars – full length album, Immortal/Virgin
2005: A Beautiful Lie – full length album, Immortal/Virgin
2007: AOL Sessions Undercover – EP, Virgin
2008: To the Edge of the Earth – EP, Virgin
2009: This is War – full length album, Virgin/EMI
2011: MTV Unplugged: 30 Seconds to Mars – EP, Virgin

  • Singles – 30 Seconds to Mars (year, song title, album)

2002: Capricorn (A Brand New Name) from the album 30 Seconds to Mars
2003: Edge of the Earth from the album 30 Seconds to Mars
2005: Attack from the album A Beautiful Lie
2006: The Kill (Bury Me) from the album A Beautiful Lie
2006: From Yesterday from the album A Beautiful Lie
2007: A Beautiful Lie from the album A Beautiful Lie
2009: Kings and Queens from the album This is War
2010: This is War from the album This is War
2010: Closer to the Edge from the album This is War
2010: Hurricane 2.0 (featuring Kanye West) from the album This is War

source: Jens Koch Photography

I don’t even know where to start with Jared Leto. I have been a rabid Leto fan since My So-Called Life way back in 1994. I’m still upset it was cancelled. I was somewhere in the area of twelve years old when the show was on the air and when Jared Leto became my first official celebrity crush. Since then, I’ve grown and matured just like Jared’s career. Five years after My So-Called Life, Jared was in a movie that pretty much changed my entire life, the film adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s brilliant novel, Fight Club. It wasn’t really until the following year that he really established himself as a real force to be reckoned with in film when he starred in two of the most startlingly brilliant films of 2000; the big screen adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial novel, American Psycho and the heartbreakingly honest Requiem for a Dream.

source: Kerrang Magazine

More than an actor and much, much more than Man Candy, Jared Leto is a man that has done his career the way he wants to do it. He’s chosen his film roles wisely and devotes himself entirely to the role he’s playing. From massive weight loss for Requiem for a Dream to massive weight gain for the brilliant Chapter 27, Jared always brings his A-game. It’s no coincidence that several of Jared’s films have landed on my “All Time Favorite Movies” list including Requiem (obviously), Fight Club, Girl, Interrupted,  Chapter 27, American Psycho and Lord of War. All this and we haven’t even started talking about how much I love 30 Seconds to Mars.

So we’ve talked about Jared’s acting chops. Let’s talk about his music. As part of 30 Seconds to Mars, Jared has proven once and for all that sometimes an actor’s musical project can be just as good as the films he makes. When Jared decided to venture into the world of music with brother, Shannon Leto, magic happened. I mean that in the most sincere way. From the very first album, 30 Seconds to Mars has been one of my absolute favorites. Many may roll their eyes when they hear about a new musical project by a celebrity known mostly for acting but Jared Leto has proved it can really work out well.

source: 1994 Photo Shoot

Jared’s career has grown and progressed in ways I never could’ve imagined as I watched him every week on My So-Called Life. In his personal life, Jared’s mostly remained a pretty closed book, trying to keep the attention where it belongs – on his work. Naturally, this has led to questions about his sexuality. So is Jared Leto gay? I have no idea and I don’t think it would be possible for me to care less. Here’s what I do know. Being unmarried at forty does not make a man gay. Wearing eyeliner does not make a man gay. Being a bit unusual does not make a man gay. You know what makes a man gay? Preferring sex with men over sex with women and as far as I’m concerned, who Jared lets touch that gorgeous body of his is the business of exactly two people – Jared and the lucky person touching him. My thoughts? Jared is probably straight. Jared is probably gay. Jared is probably bisexual. Jared is probably an alien sent to take over the world with his ridiculously sexy eyes. Or perhaps, Jared is just a mega talented, super sexy and probably very cool guy who sleeps with whomever he feels like sleeping with and we can probably just leave it at that.

source: Flaunt

I guess this is the part where I talk about why I love Jared Leto as much as I do. In truth, it’s not really something I can put into words. Some may argue his ego is a bit out of control but I’ve never met the man so I suppose I wouldn’t know. Besides, I only really have a problem with ego if it’s undeserved. There are a lot of people, in Hollywood especially, that have egos their talent just doesn’t justify. That’s just not the case with Jared. Whether we’re talking about film, television or music, Jared has the chops. On top of that, he’s absolutely beautiful. More than anything else though, I respect him as an artist and as a human being. His outspoken support of the causes he believes in, from animal rights to environmental issues, is admirable. It’s also more than words. Using his art, he sheds light on world issues many wouldn’t be aware of otherwise. Beyond that, his close work with the charities he believes in earns him a special place in my heart.

photo by: Terry Richardson from terrysdiary.com

Jared is his own man. He’s weird. He does things the way he wants to do them and there’s nothing I respect more than that. If I had to choose one thing about Jared I love the most, it would most definitely be that. He appeals to the freak in me. He is always changing, evolving and trying new things. I simply don’t think it’s possible for a real Jared Leto fan to tire of him. There is always something new and interesting happening in his career, keeping his fans on their toes and keeping his career feeling fresh. I’m absolutely thrilled and honored to have been given the chance to write this profile this week. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you all for voting. Before we get to the pictures, I’d like to remind everyone to head on over to Girl In Stereo to meet this week’s Man Candy Candidates and vote for your favorites. Thanks again. Enjoy the Jared Leto gallery!

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