Keira Knightley was born on March 22, 1985, in Teddington, Middlesex, to actors Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald. She found her passion for acting at an early age, obtaining an agent at the age of six, which is also when she was diagnosed with dyslexia.
She was just 14 when her first part in a big Hollywood production came along. In Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, she played Sabé, the decoy for Natalie Portman's Queen Padmé. A prominent part in cult thriller The Hole followed and then came the unforgettable Bend It Like Beckham, which catapulted her onto the world stage.
Her portrayal of aspiring soccer ace Juliette won her the hearts of moviegoers and the plaudits of critics. Her performance was also evidence of the dedication and determination that has made her one of Hollywood's hottest properties. With leading roles opposite Johnny Depp, in Pirates Of The Caribbean, and Hugh Grant, in Love Actually, Keira became firmly established as one of Britain's leading talents.
Her other notable roles include Pride & Prejudice, and The Imitation Game, both of which earned her Oscar nominations. She also starred in Misbehaviour, Official Secrets and Boston Strangler.
Keira Knightley's personal life
The actress dated Jamie Dornan for two years, followed by a five-year relationship with Rupert Friend. In 2013, the beauty married Klaxons musician Jamie Righton and the pair went on to welcome two daughters together, Edie [born in 2015] and Delilah [born in 2019].
