Keira Knightley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keira Knightley
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Knightley in 2011
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| Born |
Keira Christina Knightley
26 March 1985 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1991–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
James Righton
(m. 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) |
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| Awards | Full list |
Keira Christina Knightley is a famous English actress. She was born on March 26, 1985. Keira is well-known for her roles in independent films and big movies. She often stars in historical dramas, which are films set in the past.
She has won many awards and has been nominated for two Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars). In 2018, she received an OBE award from the Queen. This was for her amazing work in acting and for her charity efforts.
Keira was born in London to actor parents. She got an agent when she was only six years old. She started acting in commercials and TV shows. Her big break came when she played a football player in Bend It Like Beckham (2002). She also starred in the popular movie Love Actually (2003). She became famous around the world for playing Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Keira has also acted on stage in London's West End and on Broadway in New York. She cares a lot about social issues. She works with groups like Amnesty International and Oxfam to help people. Keira is married to musician James Righton and they have two daughters.
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Early Life and Education
Keira Christina Knightley was born in Teddington, London, on March 26, 1985. Her parents, Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald, were both actors. Keira was supposed to be named "Kiera," after a Russian ice skater. But her mom accidentally spelled it "Keira" when she registered her birth.
Keira has an older brother named Caleb. Her mom became a writer after her acting career. Keira's parents faced money problems. Her dad agreed to have a second child only if her mom sold a script first. This didn't stop Keira from wanting to act. Her parents introduced her to theater and ballet early on. This made her interested in acting.
Keira went to Teddington School. She found out she had dyslexia when she was six. With her parents' help, she felt she had mostly overcome it by age eleven. She still reads slowly and cannot read aloud. Keira was very focused on acting from a young age. At three, she asked for an agent like her parents. She got one at six. This led to small roles in TV dramas. She also acted in local plays. Keira started studying for her A-Levels at Esher College. But she left after a year to focus on her acting career.
Career
Early Roles and First Big Breaks (1993–2002)
After getting an agent at six, Keira started working in commercials and small TV parts. Her first TV appearance was in 1993. She then played Natasha Jordan in a romantic drama in 1995. She appeared in several TV films in the mid-to-late 1990s.
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In 1999, Keira got a role in the big science fiction movie Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. She played Sabé, who was Padmé Amidala's handmaiden and decoy. Keira looked so much like Natalie Portman, who played Padmé, that even their mothers had trouble telling them apart in makeup.
Her first main role was in the 2001 TV film Princess of Thieves. She played Robin Hood's daughter. She trained for weeks in archery, fencing, and riding for the part. She also appeared in a thriller called The Hole. The director said she was like a "young version of Julie Christie". In 2002, Keira played Lara Antipova in the TV series Doctor Zhivago. Critics liked her performance.
Keira got a huge breakthrough role in the sports comedy film Bend It Like Beckham. The movie was a big hit in the UK and US. Keira played Jules, a tomboy football player. She struggles against what society expects and convinces her friend to play football. Critics loved the film's charm and inspiring story. Keira and her co-star Parminder Nagra became famous worldwide. They trained for three months in football for their roles. Keira was surprised by the movie's success.
Becoming a Global Star (2003–2007)
In 2003, Keira played Elizabeth Swann in the fantasy adventure film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The movie was based on the Disney theme park ride. It's about Jack Sparrow and Will Turner saving Elizabeth from pirates. The producers chose Keira because she reminded them of old Hollywood stars. Keira didn't expect so much stunt work. She even stood on a wooden plank for two days for a scene. The movie was expected to fail, but it became a huge success. It earned $654 million worldwide. Critics praised Keira's strong and confident performance.
Also in 2003, Keira was in the Christmas romantic comedy Love Actually. She played Juliet, a woman whose fiancé's best friend is secretly in love with her. Some critics felt her role was small. But the film made Keira a household name. Love Actually is now a classic Christmas movie.
In 2004, Keira starred in the historical film King Arthur. She played Guinevere, a warrior queen. For this role, she learned boxing, archery, and riding. Even though the film got mixed reviews, Keira's acting career grew. She was voted the most promising teen star by Hello magazine.
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Keira had three films released in 2005. Her most successful was Pride & Prejudice. This was a period drama based on Jane Austen's famous novel. The director chose Keira for her lively mind and sense of humor. Keira loved the book and her character, Elizabeth Bennet. She said Elizabeth is a character every woman can relate to. The film was a big commercial success. Critics praised Keira's performance, calling it beautiful and witty. Keira was nominated for "Best Actress" at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. She was only 20, making her one of the youngest nominees ever. All the media attention made her struggle with her mental health during this time.
In 2006, Keira joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She also returned as Elizabeth Swann in the second and third Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The sequels were planned to continue Elizabeth's story. She becomes a fierce pirate and fighter. Keira learned sword-fighting for these films. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) became the biggest financial hit of her career. It earned over $1 billion worldwide. The third film, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, came out in 2007.
Keira continued to star in period dramas. In 2007, she was in Silk and Atonement. Silk did not do well, but Atonement was a big success. Keira played Cecilia Tallis, who has a wartime romance. She studied the novel and older films to prepare. Keira won an Empire Award for Best Actress for her role. She was also nominated for BAFTA and Golden Globe awards. The famous green dress she wore in the film became one of the most iconic costumes in movie history.
Independent Films and Stage Work (2008–2013)
In 2008, Keira appeared in the wartime drama The Edge of Love. She played Vera Phillips, a childhood friend of poet Dylan Thomas. Keira helped write the script with her mother. She based her performance on Marlene Dietrich. Critics praised Keira's acting and singing in the film.
Keira then starred as the 18th-century English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire in The Duchess (2008). The film tells Georgiana's story as she becomes a social leader. Keira felt a connection to Georgiana's strength and influence. Critics called her performance "enigmatic" and "her best role to date". She was nominated for a British Independent Film Award.
In 2009, Keira made her West End stage debut in The Misanthrope. She played Jennifer, a charming American film star. Keira chose this role because she wanted to try theater. She found the experience "extraordinary". Critics praised her convincing and thrilling performance. She was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Keira started the new decade with three films. She said this work helped her understand different people and situations. Two films, Last Night and London Boulevard, received mixed reviews. Her other film, Never Let Me Go, was better received. Keira played Ruth, one of three students who discover their unusual fates in a dystopia.
In 2011, Keira starred in a play called The Children's Hour in London. She played Karen Wright, a schoolteacher accused of being a lesbian. Critics noted her intense performance. Her only film in 2011 was A Dangerous Method. She played Sabina Spielrein, a troubled but brilliant psychoanalyst. Keira spent four months researching her character. She loved the depth of the role. The film was well-received, and critics praised Keira's performance.
In 2012, Keira co-starred with Steve Carell in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Later that year, she worked with director Joe Wright again on Anna Karenina. She played the main character. Keira felt this was the most important collaboration of her career. Critics gave her positive reviews, and there was early talk of an Oscar nomination.
In 2013, Keira's first musical film, Begin Again, premiered. She starred with Mark Ruffalo. Critics found Keira and Ruffalo to be natural in their roles. The director later criticized Keira's singing performance, but he apologized. Keira said she is more interested in books and drama than music.
Biographical and Political Roles (2014–Present)
In 2014, Keira said she wanted to try different types of roles. She started the year with the spy thriller Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. She played Dr. Cathy Muller, the future wife of Jack Ryan. Keira wanted to do a lighter film. The movie had mixed reviews but did well at the box office.
Her next film, Laggies, premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. It's a romantic comedy where Keira plays Megan, a 28-year-old going through a tough time. Keira understood her character's delayed maturity. Critics praised her performance, calling her "delightfully uncouth".
She then appeared in The Imitation Game, a historical drama. It's about the life of British mathematician Alan Turing. Keira played Joan Clarke, who helped break German codes during World War II. Keira researched Clarke and tried to show her deep emotions. The Imitation Game was a big success. Keira received her second Academy Award nomination for her role. She also got nominations for BAFTA and Golden Globe awards.
In 2015, Keira was in the disaster film Everest. She played the wife of a mountaineer. Critics said Keira gave a "deeply felt performance". In October 2015, Keira made her Broadway debut in the play Thérèse Raquin. She took the role after turning it down twice. She was interested in her character's "caged" life and active role. Critics praised her performance, noting her character's emotional journey.
In 2016, Keira was in the drama Collateral Beauty. The film received very negative reviews. In 2017, Keira made a cameo appearance as Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. She had said she wouldn't return to the series, but test audiences wanted to see her character.
Keira starred in the biographical drama Colette in 2018. She played the famous French author Colette. The film shows Colette's rise in society through her books. Keira felt the film connected to modern feminism. She read Colette's novels to prepare. The film was a critical success, and Keira's performance was highly praised. Keira was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her work in drama and charity.
That same year, she played the Sugar Plum Fairy in Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. In 2019, Keira co-starred in The Aftermath. She played Rachel, a British army wife dealing with her son's death. Critics praised Keira for adding "conviction, grace, heart, and nerve" to the film. Keira also played whistleblower Katharine Gun in Official Secrets (2019). The film was well-received, and Keira's performance was praised.
In 2020, Keira's first role was feminist activist Sally Alexander in Misbehaviour. The film is about the first black contestant winning the 1970 Miss World competition. Keira was drawn to the political aspects of the film. Misbehaviour received positive reviews. Keira was supposed to star in The Essex Serpent but dropped out due to childcare concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. She starred in the 2021 holiday comedy Silent Night. Keira also voiced the main role in the animated film Charlotte, a true story about a young artist during the Holocaust.
Keira took a year off to spend time with her family. In 2023, she played reporter Loretta McLaughlin in the crime drama Boston Strangler. This film is based on a true story. In 2024, she starred as a spy in the Netflix series Black Doves. She was nominated for awards for this role.
Other Ventures
Helping Others and Charity Work
Keira has often spoken about her views on feminism. She believes women face more challenges in the film industry than men. For International Women's Day 2014, Keira signed a letter from Amnesty International to the British Prime Minister. The letter asked for support for women's rights in Afghanistan. After her first daughter was born, she wrote an essay about childbirth.
Keira is part of an Amnesty International campaign to support human rights. In 2004, she traveled to Ethiopia for the Comic Relief charity. She posed for photos for WaterAid in 2005. She also donated a dress she wore to the Academy Awards to Oxfam, which raised £4,300. In 2009, Keira appeared in a video to raise awareness about domestic abuse for Women's Aid. In 2010, Keira became a patron of the SMA Trust. This charity funds medical research into spinal muscular atrophy. In 2014, Keira went to South Sudan for Oxfam to meet refugees. She wanted to raise awareness about the conflict there.
In 2016, Keira signed a letter asking Britain to vote to stay in the EU. She also appeared in a video to encourage young people to vote. In September 2016, Keira was in a video for the UNHCR. The video aimed to raise awareness about the global refugee crisis. She also co-hosted a charity event focusing on sustainability in fashion.
In 2017, Keira traded stocks for the SMA Trust charity. This was part of an event to remember those lost in the September 11 attacks. In 2020, Keira took part in a World Health Day livestream to raise money during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also designed pin badges for a campaign to thank essential workers. All profits went to charity. In October 2020, she supported a campaign to help teachers address "dyslexic strengths". Keira also participated in a skit for Red Nose Day 2021.
Fashion and Endorsements
Keira has been the face of luxury brands like Asprey and Shiatzy Chen. She also appeared in Japanese TV commercials for Lux haircare. In 2006, she became the new face of Chanel's perfume Coco Mademoiselle. She has appeared in Chanel TV commercials since 2007. She also promotes Chanel Fine Jewellery. In 2008, Keira was one of the highest-earning British Hollywood stars. She was named one of the most bankable actors in 2009.
Personal Life
Keira has dated actors Del Synnott, Jamie Dornan, and Rupert Friend. She started a relationship with musician James Righton in 2011. They got married on May 4, 2013, in France. They have two daughters, born in 2015 and 2019. The family lives in London. Keira believes in equal paternity leave. She has spoken about how expensive childcare is in England. She said she was lucky to afford good childcare. Keira does not use social media to protect her family's privacy.
In 2007, Keira won a libel case against a British newspaper. The paper had falsely claimed she had an eating disorder. She was awarded £3,000 in damages. She added to this amount and donated £6,000 to Beat. This is a charity for people with mental illness and eating disorders.
Keira took a break from acting in 2006 to travel and focus on her personal life. In 2018, Keira shared that she had a mental breakdown at age 22. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This was because she struggled with her sudden rise to fame. She said she didn't leave her home for three months. She needed hypnotherapy to prevent panic attacks so she could attend the BAFTA Awards in 2008.
Keira identifies as an atheist.
Acting Credits and Awards
Some of Keira Knightley's most successful films include Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Love Actually (2003), Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Pride & Prejudice (2005), Atonement (2007), The Duchess (2008), Never Let Me Go (2010), A Dangerous Method (2011), The Imitation Game (2014), Everest (2015), Colette (2018), Official Secrets (2019), and Misbehaviour (2020).
Her TV appearances include Oliver Twist (1999), Princess of Thieves (2001), and Doctor Zhivago (2002). On stage, Keira has starred in The Misanthrope and The Children's Hour in London. She also performed in Thérèse Raquin in New York.
Keira has been nominated for two Academy Awards. She was nominated for Best Actress for Pride & Prejudice (2005). She was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Imitation Game (2014). She has received multiple Golden Globe nominations for her roles. Keira has also been nominated twice for BAFTA Awards. She received a nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her play The Misanthrope. She won the Empire Award for Best Actress for her performance in Atonement (2007).
Images for kids
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Keira Knightley in 2011
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Keira Knightley's costume from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) on display. She played Sabé, Padmé Amidala's decoy.
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Keira Knightley at the premiere of Pride & Prejudice in 2005. This role earned her an Academy Award nomination.
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Keira Knightley was praised for her role as 18th-century aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish in The Duchess (2008).
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Keira Knightley at the premiere of A Dangerous Method in 2011.
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Keira Knightley at an event for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 2015.
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A wax figure of Keira Knightley at Madame Tussauds in London.
See also
In Spanish: Keira Knightley para niños
