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Keira Knightley
Birth name Keira Christina Knightley
Born 26 March 1985 (1985-03-26) (age 22)
Teddington, Middlesex, England
Notable roles Frances Almond Smith in The Hole
Juliette Paxton in Bend It Like Beckham
Louise in Pure
Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy
Juliet in Love Actually
Guinevere in King Arthur
Leah in Stories Of Lost Souls
Jackie Price in The Jacket
Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice
Domino Harvey in Domino
Academy Awards
Nominated: Best Actress
2005 Pride & Prejudice
Golden Globe Awards
Nominated: Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical/Comedy
2006 Pride & Prejudice
Keira Christina Knightley (pronounced /ˈkɪə.ɹə ˈnaɪt.lɪ/;[1] born 26 March
1985) is an English[2] film and television actress. She began her career as
a child actress, and came to international prominence in 2003, after
co-starring in the films Bend It Like Beckham and Pirates of the Caribbean:
The Curse of the Black Pearl. Knightley has since become a notable lead
actress, having appeared in several Hollywood films and earning an Academy
Award nomination for her role as Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's 2005
adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Biography
Early life
Knightley was born in Teddington, Middlesex, England to Sharman Macdonald, a
Scottish actress turned award-winning playwright, and Will Knightley, an
English theatre and television actor. She has an elder brother, Caleb who
was born in 1979. Knightley lived most of her life in Richmond, attending
Teddington School and Esher College. Knightley suffers from dyslexia, but
nevertheless achieved good grades in school to please her parents, and was
thus permitted to acquire a talent agent and pursue an acting career.
Knightley has noted that she was "single-minded about acting" during her
childhood.[3] She performed in a number of local amateur productions
including After Juliet (written by her mother) and United States (written by
her then drama teacher, Ian McShane).
Career
Knightley began acting at age seven in her television debut in Royal
Celebration (1993) and appearing on the television series, The Bill (1995).
She appeared in several other made-for-television films in the mid to late
1990s, before being cast as Sabé, Padmé Amidala's decoy, in the 1999 science
fiction blockbuster Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. Knightley was
cast in the role due to her close resemblance to Natalie Portman, who played
Padmé; the two actresses' mothers had difficulty telling their daughters
apart when the girls were in full makeup.[4] Knightley's first starring role
followed in 2001, when she played the daughter of Robin Hood in a
made-for-television Walt Disney Productions feature, Princess of Thieves.
During this time, Knightley also appeared in The Hole, a thriller that
received a direct-to-video release in the United States. She also appeared
in a mini-series adaptation of Doctor Zhivago that first aired in 2002 to
mixed reviews but high ratings.
Knightley's breakthrough role was in the English football-themed film, Bend
It Like Beckham, which was a success in its August 2002 UK release, grossing
$18 million, and in its March 2003 U.S. release, grossing $32 million.[5]
After Bend It Like Beckham's UK release raised her profile, she was cast in
the big budget action film, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black
Pearl (along with Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp) which was produced by Jerry
Bruckheimer and opened in July 2003 to positive reviews and high box office
grosses, becoming one of the biggest hits of summer 2003 and cementing
Knightley as the new "It" girl. Knightley had a role in the British romantic
comedy Love Actually, which opened in November 2003. Though charismatic,
Miss Knightley’s performance was overlooked in the crowded A-List cast. Her
next film, King Arthur, opened in July 2004 to negative reviews, scoring
only 31% at Rotten Tomatoes[6]. While many liked the new Guinevere,
Knightley’s performance was overlooked and she was mostly praised for her
appearance. In the same month, Knightley was voted by readers of Hello!
magazine as the movie industry's most promising teen star. Additionally,
Time magazine noted in a 2004 feature that Knightley seemed dedicated to
developing herself as a serious actress rather than a film star.
2005 would see the release of 3 films, the first of which was The Jacket.
The complex thriller starring Adrien Brody was derided by critics as
unoriginal, silly and messy, scoring a disappointing 44%. Knightley was
taken to task for her American accent but was otherwise dismissed by
critics. Next would be Tony Scott's Domino, an action film based on the life
of bounty hunter Domino Harvey. The film would be Knightley’s greatest
critical flop to date, scoring only 17% positive reviews. Knightley’s
critics often suggested she was nothing more than a pretty face, which lead
the young starlet to comment to Elle magazine, “I always feel like I’m the
one with everything to prove.” Pride and Prejudice would round out 2005,
scoring a lively 85%.[7] As iconic Elizabeth Bennet, Knightley would receive
the greatest reviews of her career thus far. From Variety: "Looking every
bit a star, Knightley, who's shown more spirit than acting smarts so far in
her career, really steps up to the plate here, holding her own against the
more classically trained Macfadyen (as well as vets like Blethyn, Sutherland
and Judi Dench) with a luminous strength that recalls a young Audrey
Hepburn. More than the older Ehle in the TV series, she catches Elizabeth's
essential skittishness and youthful braggadocio, making her final conversion
all the more moving."[8]</ref> The film would gross more than $100 million
worldwide and Keira would earn a Golden Globe nomination and an Oscar
nomination. It was noted that Keira was snubbed by the BAFTAs- a move which
drew criticism[9] from Pride and Prejudice producer Tim Bevan. Keira would
ultimately lose both the Oscar and the Golden Globe to American actress
Reese Witherspoon.
In 2006, Knightley was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences.[10]
Knightley's biggest financial hit thus far, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead
Man's Chest, was released on July 7, 2006. On June 3, 2007, Knightley was up
for a MTV Movie Award for Best Performance. She lost to her co-star, Johnny
Depp. She has recently completed filming in Silk (an adaptation of the novel
by Alessandro Baricco) and Atonement, a feature film adaptation of Ian
McEwan's novel of the same name, co-starring James McAvoy, Vanessa Redgrave
and Brenda Blethyn.[11]
Knightley most recently appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's
End, which was released on May 24, 2007; she continued to film scenes for
the film near the end of 2006. She is now (May/June 2007) working on a film
entitled The Edge of Love, formally titled The Best Time Of Our Lives, about
the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, from a screenplay by her mother.
Celebrity
As a result of her rapid rise to fame, Knightley has been the focus of
significant media attention. She has been described by press reports as
"famously open with media",[12] although Knightley herself has stated "I
don't talk about my private life."[13]
She was voted the sexiest movie star of all time by the readers of Empire
magazine, was ranked #79 by FHM in the magazine’s UK Edition 2004 100
Sexiest Women in the World list, #18 in 2005, and was ranked the sexiest
woman in the world in 2006.[14] The U.S. Edition ranked her #54 in 2004, #11
in 2005 and #5 in 2006. Knightley appeared nude along with Scarlett
Johansson, on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine's March 2006 'Hollywood'
issue. In May 2006, Knightley was #9 on Maxim's 2006 Hot 100.
Knightley was the celebrity face for the luxury goods brand Asprey, as well
as Lux haircare products in Japanese television commercials. In April 2006,
she was confirmed as the new celebrity face of Chanel's perfume "Coco
Mademoiselle", though the first photo from the campaign was not released
until May 2007.[15]
She is the subject of Glasgow band Endrick Brothers song "Star of the Silver
Screen" featured on their forthcoming album Attraction versus Love. The song
was written after a chance meeting at a party in Glasgow during the filming
of The Jacket.[14]
Her Valentino gown at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards won her much acclaim and
even landed her the top spot on Steven Cojocaru's "Best Dressed List" on
Entertainment Tonight, while the dress she wore to the 2006 Academy Awards
was recently donated to the charity Oxfam, where it raised £4,300.[16]
Personal life
Knightley, who currently lives in London, is dating her Pride and Prejudice
co-star, Rupert Friend. She has previously dated Irish fashion model Jamie
Dornan,[17] as well as actor Del Synnott, who according to some reports,
attempted suicide after their relationship ended, although Synnott and
Knightley deny these claims.[18] Knightley has stated that she feels
uncomfortable dressing up and that she prefers British men over any other
nationality, because she feels that British men are less concerned about
their own appearance.[19]
She has denied rumours she is anorexic, although she has noted that her
family has a history of anorexia, after her appearance at the Pirates of the
Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest premiere led to media speculation that her
extremely slender figure was due to an eating disorder.[20] In July of 2006,
Knightley noted that she believes that she has become a workaholic,
detailing that "the last five years have blended into one. I can't tell you
what was last year and what was the year before" and specifying that she is
"working too much"[21] and is "quite frightened that if I continue at this
rate I will start to hate what I love."[22] As a result, Knightley may take
a one year break from acting to travel and focus on her personal life.[23]
Knightley remains a devoted fan of West Ham United, having attended many
games as a child.[24]
Filmography
Year Title Role Other notes
1999 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Sabé (queen's decoy)
2001 Princess of Thieves Gwyn, daughter of Robin Hood First starring role
The Hole Frances 'Frankie' Almond Smith First nude scene.
2002 Pure Louise
Bend It Like Beckham Juliette 'Jules' Paxton Breakthrough Role in America
2003 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Elizabeth Swann
Love Actually Juliet
2004 King Arthur Guinevere
2005 The Jacket Jackie
Domino Domino Harvey
Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth Bennet Academy Award for Best Actress —
nominated
2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Elizabeth Swann
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Elizabeth Swann Turner
Silk Helene Joncour finished
Atonement Cecilia Tallis finished
2008 The Edge of Love Vera Phillips filming; written by her mother Sharman
Macdonald
References
1. ^ See Pronunciation of Keira Knightley.
2. ^ Foley, Jack. The Jacket - Keira Knightley Q&A. IndieLondon. Retrieved
on 2006-05-01.
3. ^ Abel, Judy (2005-11-06). Tough enough. The Boston Globe. Retrieved on
2006-07-13.
4. ^ Buchanan, Jason. Keira Knightley. MSN Movies. Retrieved on 2006-03-17.
5. ^ Keira Knightley. The Numbers. Retrieved on 2006-03-17.
6. ^ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1133964-king_arthur/
7. ^ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pride_and_prejudice
8. ^ Elley, Derek (September 11, 2005). Pride & Prejudice. Variety.
Retrieved on July 18, 2007.
9. ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0079677/news
10. ^ http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2006/06.07.01a.html
11. ^ Keira Knightley's 'Atonement' for Focus Features. KillerMovies
(2006-06-30). Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
12. ^ Keira Knightley: My breasts were down to my knees. Fashion Monitor
Toronto. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
13. ^ Keira Knightley opens up. Elle (August 2006). Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
14. ^ a b Keira KOs Kate. News.com.au. Retrieved on 2006-04-27.
15. ^ Keira Knightley for Chanel - first photo. Fashionising. Retrieved on
July 18, 2007.
16. ^ Oxfam gets £4,300 for Oscar dress. BBC News (2006-05-01). Retrieved on
2006-05-01.
17. ^ Clements, Andrea (2006-02-27). Belfast Telegraph. Jamie felt
'second-rate' to former lover Keira. Retrieved on 2006-03-17.
18. ^ Knightley’s ex denies suicide attempt. ContactMusic.com (2004-10-05).
Retrieved on 2006-03-17.
19. ^ Rob (2006-06-22). Keira Likes to Dress Down. KeiraNews.com. Retrieved
on 2006-06-23.
20. ^ Keira Knightley plays down anorexia rumours. Reuters. Retrieved on
2006-08-27.
21. ^ Keira Knightley’s career is ruining her love life. PR Inside
(2006-07-10). Retrieved on 2006-07-10.
22. ^ Workaholic Keira Knightley Needs a Sabbatical. StarPulse (2006-07-10).
Retrieved on 2006-07-10.
23. ^ Regan, Susanna (2006-07-12). Knightley makes plans for a gap year.
Digital Spy. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
24. ^ Hiscock, John (2005-09-02). 'Every girl is looking for her Mr Darcy'.
The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 2006-10-16.
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