Since the popularity of 2009's (500) Days of Summer, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt has had a string of impressive films like Hesher and Inception.

His latest is 50/50, a dramatic comedy about a man diagnosed with cancer. 50/50, loosely based on the life of screenwriter Will Reiser, also stars Reiser's good friend Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard.

The film has already received rave reviews from critics and fans. 50/50 currently has a 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It's a movie about relationships -- between friends, lovers, motheres and sons. More than anything that's what it is, Gordon-Levitt recently told The Huffington Post.

Gordon-Levitt has come a long way since his 3rd Rock from the Sun days. From 1996-2001, he played the extraterrestrial teenager Tommy Solomon on the hit television series, opposite John Lithgow and Kristen Johnston.

During the 3rd Rock run, Gordon-Levitt made a number of films, including 10 Things I Hate About You, The Juror and the forgettable Woody Allen picture Picking Up the Pieces in 2000.

Gone are the days of his long hair, boyish smile and cracking voice. Well, maybe not the boyish smile.

With Friday's release of 50/50, don't expect Gordon-Levitt to quit his day job any time soon.

The 30-year-old is set to appear in four films in 2012, including Christopher Nolan's final Batman installment, The Dark Knight Rises. Gordon-Levitt also stars as the lead in Premium Rush, an action thriller about a bike messenger on the run in New York City. His other projects include Looper with Bruce Willis and Lincoln with director Stephen Spielberg.

Here's a photo tribute to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, rising lead actor.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
The cast of NBC's "Third Rock from the Sun" celebrate their two awards at the 54th Annual Golden Globe Awards January 19, 1997 in Beverly Hills, California. The show was named Best Television Comedy or Musical, and actor John Lithgow (2nd L) was named Best Actor in a Television Comedy or Musical. (L to R) Elmarie Wendel, Lithgow, Simbi Khali, Kristen Johnston, French Stewart, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jane Curtin. REUTERS
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt holds the YoungStar Award he received for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a TV Comedy series for his role in "3rd Rock From the Sun" during the second annual YoungStar Awards honoring the brightest young performers in Hollywood May 4, 1997. REUTERS
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (C) one of the voice talents featured in the new Disney animated film "Treasure Planet" poses with two young women dressed as Old Port Townspeople who were greeters at the party following the film's premiere November 17, 2002 in Hollywood. REUTERS
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (L) one of the voice talents featured in the new Disney animated film "Treasure Planet" poses with songwriter and musician John Rzeznik of the "Goo Goo Dolls" at the film's premiere November 17, 2002 in Hollywood. REUTERS
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
U.S. actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt poses during a photo call at the Venice Lido September 3, 2004. REUTERS
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Presenter Joseph Gordon Levitt poses backstage at the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, January 16, 2011. REUTERS
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
The cast of the television comedy series " 3rd Rock From The Sun" cut a cake as they celebrate the filming of the 100th episode at a party for cast and crew October 18, 1999 in Los Angeles. The cake is shaped like the car seen in the show's opening credits. REUTERS
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