Was born and raised on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, USA.
Received a B.A. in Film Studies cum laude and with distinction, from Yale University.
Graduated from Punahou School in Hawaii in 1992.
Kathleen Gyllenhaal was chosen as one of fourteen filmmakers nominated for the prestigious 'Talented New Director Award' at the International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema London for her film, In Utero.