Happy Birthday, Joseph Gordon-Levitt!

Joseph Gordon-Levitt turns 38 today. The award-winning actor has been acting since the age of 7 and rose to television prominence with his role on the long-running comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun. When that show ended, Joseph went after more adult roles, his first being the previously-featured Latter Days. Joseph auditioned for the lead role of gay Mormon missionary Aaron (played by Steve Sandvoss), but instead got the antagonist role of Aaron's fellow missionary Paul. Joseph next got the lead in the acclaimed gay film Mysterious Skin which was released the following year. That film featured Joseph in his first nude scenes. Joseph played a young hustler struggling to move into adulthood after being the victim of childhood sexual abuse. In honor of his birthday, the blog looks back at the milestone film in Joseph's career.