Maggie Gyllenhaal’s mother, Naomi Foner Bio: Husband, Age, Movies, Net Worth, Parents, Children, Height

Naomi Foner has made significant contributions to American cinema, crafting emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of family dynamics.

Best known for her Academy Award-nominated screenplay for Running on Empty, she has built a respected career in film and television, marked by her thoughtful storytelling and dedication to the craft.

Profile

• Full Name: Naomi Achs
• Stage Name: Naomi Foner, Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal
• Born: March 15, 1946
• Age: 79 years old
• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York City, NY, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Screenwriter, Producer, Director
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Ruth Silbowitz, Samuel Achs
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Eric Foner (m. 1965, div. 1977), Stephen Gyllenhaal (m. 1977, div. 2009)
• Children: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jake Gyllenhaal
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: USD 4 million

Early Life and Education

Naomi Foner was born Naomi Achs on March 15, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York City.

The daughter of doctors Ruth Silbowitz and Samuel Achs, both of Jewish descent, she grew up in a family of high-achieving New York Jews with Ashkenazi roots from Eastern Europe.

Her aunt, Freda Silbowitz Hertz, a lawyer, was a source of inspiration. Naomi’s early years were shaped by a stimulating intellectual environment, fostering her love for storytelling.

She graduated from Barnard College in 1966 with a BA in English and later earned an MA in developmental psychology from Columbia University.

Career

Naomi Foner began her career in 1968 as media director for Senator Eugene McCarthy’s presidential campaign before joining the Children’s Television Workshop in 1969.

She served as a production assistant on Sesame Street and associate producer for The Electric Company (1971–77), where she also appeared as “Naomi” in the spoof soap opera segment Love of Chair.

She produced The Best of Families (1977), a PBS drama about 19th-century families, marking her shift to adult-oriented content.

Her first screenplay, Violets Are Blue (1986), was a romantic drama starring Sissy Spacek. Foner’s breakthrough came with Running on Empty (1988), a poignant drama about a family on the run, earning her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for Best Original Screenplay.

She wrote and produced A Dangerous Woman (1993) and Losing Isaiah (1995), both directed by her then-husband, Stephen Gyllenhaal, and Bee Season (2005), an adaptation of Myla Goldberg’s novel.

In 2013, she made her directorial debut with Very Good Girls, starring Dakota Fanning and Elizabeth Olsen, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Foner has taught screenwriting at Columbia, NYU, USC, and UCLA, and is currently adapting Reconstructing Amelia for HBO and developing a sequel to Running on Empty.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award Nomination for Best Original Screenplay (Running on Empty, 1988)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Original Screenplay (Running on Empty, 1988)
• PEN West Screenplay Award (Running on Empty, 1988)
• Honoree, Bold Ink Awards (2009)

Social Media

She does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Naomi Foner, now 79, has led a rich personal life shaped by her family and progressive values.

She married historian Eric Foner in 1965, divorcing in 1977, and then wed director Stephen Gyllenhaal in 1977, with whom she had two children, actors Maggie Gyllenhaal (born November 16, 1977) and Jake Gyllenhaal (born December 19, 1980). The couple divorced in 2009 after 32 years of marriage.

Naomi is a proud mother, taking pride in her children’s thoughtful career choices and their courage in tackling challenging roles.

Her Jewish heritage and commitment to progressive politics, including support for the ACLU and 826LA, reflect her social consciousness.

While her height is not publicly documented, her warm, intellectual presence shines through in industry events.

Currently divorced, she focuses on her creative projects and family, including her grandchildren via Maggie’s marriage to Peter Sarsgaard.

Filmography

• Sesame Street (1969–70) – Production Assistant (TV Series)
• The Electric Company (1971–77) – Associate Producer, Actress (TV Series)
• The Best of Families (1977) – Producer (TV Series)
• Visions (1976–80) – Writer (TV Series)
• Secrets of Midland Heights (1980–81) – Writer (TV Series)
• Violets Are Blue (1986) – Writer (Film)
• Running on Empty (1988) – Writer (Film)
• A Dangerous Woman (1993) – Writer, Producer (Film)
• Losing Isaiah (1995) – Writer, Producer (Film)
• Homegrown (1998) – Producer (Film)
• Bee Season (2005) – Writer (Film)
• Very Good Girls (2013) – Writer, Director (Film)
• Moon Flower of Flying Tigers (TBA) – Writer (Film)

Net Worth

Naomi Foner has an estimated net worth of USD 4 million.

Her wealth is derived from her extensive career as a screenwriter, producer, and director, with significant earnings from films like Running on Empty and Very Good Girls.

Additional income from teaching at prestigious film schools and adapting projects, such as Reconstructing Amelia for HBO, contributes to her financial success, reflecting her enduring influence in the entertainment industry.