Gyllenhaal’s Swift retreat

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Even though it was Jake Gyllenhaal who aggressively pursued that short-lived relationship with Taylor Swift, it was the actor himself who actually called things off.

According to those who should know, Gyllenhaal quickly realized the duo had little in common, and he was fast becoming bored with the pop superstar.

“They are only nine years apart in age [Jake just hit 30; Taylor recently turned 21], but at their ages, those nine years are more significant than they would be a few years down the road,” said a music executive who knows Swift well.

A Gyllenhaal friend in New York added, “While Jake should have realized him dating Taylor would make them as much of a magnet for the media as when he was with Reese [Witherspoon], somehow that didn’t click with him until they were already going out.”

More important than all that was the fact that the actor was somewhat taken aback by Swift’s huge obsession with her career and “how self-absorbed she is,” said his pal.

Furthermore, Gyllenhaal, who is something of an intellectual, was disappointed about Swift’s lack of interest in more brainy matters.

† As for Swift, word has it she’s both depressed and angry about being dumped. On the one hand she was really into Gyllenhaal, but on the other she is ticked off about being the “dump-ee.”

Knowing Taylor Swift, we’ll likely hear about her thoughts on the subject in a song she’ll pen about her journey with Jake.

MOVING ON: According to those close to Eva Longoria, we shouldn’t believe those stories about her reconciling with estranged hubby and NBA star Tony Parker. A source from her “Desperate Housewives” set tells me Longoria has met alone with Parker several times — usually over a meal — but it’s merely to help her healing process and to make sure their split is as amicable as possible.

Now she just has to figure out how to remove the three Parker-related tattoos on her body — including one in a very private part of her anatomy.

NOT MY TUNE! Justin Timberlake is going out of his way to quash rumors that the “Take You Down” single supposedly “leaked” on New Year’s Day was not from him. The singer and actor’s camp says those reports about him putting out a new song are false — and caught Timberlake totally by surprise. He has made it clear he’s in no hurry to record a new album, now that his acting career — in projects like the huge hit “The Social Network” — is soaring.

It turns out, “Take You Down” was done by a Timberlake sound-alike, Danish singer Rasmus Thude, who was a contestant on the British talent show “The X Factor” last season.

TICKET TIME: One day after losing his security detail — who would have prevented this — former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger laughed as he took a parking ticket off his Mercedes jeep in Beverly Hills, paraphrasing his famous movie line. “You see,” he said. “I am baaack — back to being treated like everyone else!”

I don’t know, Arnold. Maybe like anyone else who just happens to be a fabulously wealthy ex-action hero married to a Kennedy!

WEDDING BELLS? While there’s nothing confirmed, I’m hearing Jude Law and Sienna Miller sure look like a couple on the verge of getting engaged (again) — following their holiday trip to Kenya.

HISTORY SCOOP: To note the 100th anniversary of East Lake Shore Drive this March — and to honor the memory of architect Benjamin Marshall, who designed most of the buildings on that tony stretch of road facing Oak Street Beach — a major gala is planned at the Marshall-designed Drake Hotel.

The March 4 fete, co-chaired by Jane Lepauw and Jennifer McGregor, will benefit the Benjamin Marshall Society, an organization dedicated to reviving interest in the legacy of Marshall and his significant influence on Chicago’s skyline. Along with the Drake, Marshall buildings include the South Shore Cultural Center, the Blackstone Hotel, DePaul’s Merle Reskin Theatre and the Polish consulate, 1530 N. Lake Shore.

Bill Zwecker reports regularly on “Good Day Chicago” and “Fox Chicago News at 9” on WFLD-Channel 32.