Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley, born on March 26, 1985, in London, England, is an esteemed English actress renowned for her versatile performances across independent films and blockbusters, particularly in period dramas. Her parents, Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald, both actors themselves, likely influenced her early interest in the performing arts. Knightley began her career at a young age, securing an agent at six and delving into commercials and television films.


Her breakthrough came with her role as a tomboy footballer in "Bend It Like Beckham" (2002) and her appearance in the ensemble cast of "Love Actually" (2003). However, it was her portrayal of Elizabeth Swann in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series (2003–2017) that catapulted her to global stardom.
Knightley's talent garnered critical acclaim when she portrayed Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride & Prejudice" (2005), earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She continued to shine in period dramas with roles in films like "Atonement" (2007), "The Duchess" (2008), "A Dangerous Method" (2011), and "Anna Karenina" (2012). Transitioning to contemporary pieces, she showcased her acting prowess in "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" (2012), "Begin Again" (2013), and "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" (2014).


Knightley's versatility was further evident in her portrayal of Joan Clarke in "The Imitation Game" (2014), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She continued to impress with her titular role in "Colette" (2018) and journalist Loretta McLaughlin in "Boston Strangler" (2023).
In addition to her film work, Knightley has graced the stage in West End productions such as "The Misanthrope" in 2009 and "The Children's Hour" in 2011, earning critical acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination for the former. She also took on the role of the titular heroine in the 2015 Broadway production of "Thérèse Raquin."


Outside of acting, Knightley is known for her activism and philanthropy, working closely with organizations such as Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Comic Relief. She is married to musician James Righton, with whom she shares two daughters. Knightley's dedication to her craft, coupled with her advocacy for social causes, has solidified her status as one of Britain's most respected and influential actresses.


After securing an agent at the age of six, Keira Knightley embarked on her acting career with appearances in commercials and small television roles. Her first onscreen appearance was in the 1993 television episode "Royal Celebration" as part of the Screen One series. Knightley then portrayed Natasha Jordan in the romantic drama "A Village Affair" (1995), where she played a young girl whose mother is involved in an extramarital affair.


Throughout the mid-to-late 1990s, Knightley continued to build her resume with roles in various television films, including "Innocent Lies" (1995), "The Treasure Seekers" (1996), "Coming Home" (1998), and "Oliver Twist" (1999). In 1999, she landed a significant role as Sabé, Padmé Amidala's handmaiden and decoy, in the blockbuster "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace." Although her dialogue was dubbed over by Natalie Portman, Knightley's close resemblance to Portman contributed to her casting.


Knightley's breakthrough came with her role in the 2001 television film "Princess of Thieves," where she portrayed the daughter of Robin Hood. She trained extensively in archery, fencing, and riding for the role. Concurrently, she appeared in the thriller "The Hole" (2001) and starred as Lara Antipova in the 2002 miniseries adaptation of "Doctor Zhivago," receiving positive reviews.


In 2002, Knightley starred as a pregnant drug addict in Gillies MacKinnon's drama film "Pure," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Her performance garnered praise for her screen presence and grit. The same year, Knightley gained widespread acclaim for her role in Gurinder Chadha's sports comedy "Bend It Like Beckham," where she played a tomboy football player challenging societal norms. Knightley and her co-star Parminder Nagra received international attention for their performances, with critics praising the film's charm and inspiring nature. Knightley's dedication to the role included three months of intensive football training under English coach Simon Clifford, despite initial skepticism about the project's potential success.


Keira Knightley's portrayal of Elizabeth Swann in the 2003 film "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" marked a significant milestone in her career. The movie, based on the Disney theme park attraction, followed the adventures of buccaneer Jack Sparrow and blacksmith Will Turner as they rescue Swann from 18th-century pirates. Knightley's casting was praised for her reminiscent quality of Hollywood's golden era stars. Despite her underestimation of the stunt work required, Knightley's dedication to her role, including rejecting stunt double offers for challenging scenes, impressed critics and audiences alike. The film surpassed expectations at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing releases of the year.


In the same year, Knightley appeared in Richard Curtis's ensemble romantic comedy "Love Actually," where she portrayed Juliet, a woman caught in a love triangle. The film, which featured an ensemble cast including Knightley's childhood idol Emma Thompson, garnered mixed reviews, but contributed to Knightley's rising prominence in Hollywood.
Knightley's role as Guinevere in the 2004 historical film "King Arthur" showcased her versatility as an actor, requiring her to learn boxing, archery, and riding. Despite the film's unfavorable reviews, Knightley's performance was praised for her dedication to her role.


In 2005, Knightley starred in three films, including the psychological thriller "The Jacket," the action film "Domino," and the period drama "Pride & Prejudice." Her performance as Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride & Prejudice" earned her critical acclaim and nominations for major awards, including the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress. Knightley's portrayal was lauded for its beauty, spirit, and wit, solidifying her reputation as a talented and versatile actress.


Knightley continued her success with roles in sequels to "Pirates of the Caribbean," further establishing herself as a leading actress in Hollywood. Her performances in acclaimed films such as "Atonement" further cemented her status as one of the most talented actresses of her generation, earning her nominations and awards from prestigious organizations and critics alike.

References

1.   Barna, Daniel. "Keira Knightley Still Doesn't Feel Like A Grown-Up". Refinery29. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
2. ^ "Laggies (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
3. ^ Kang, Inkoo (20 October 2014). "'Laggies' Review: Keira Knightley and Chloe Grace Moretz Star in an Exceptional Comedy". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
4. a b Chilton, Martin (15 January 2015). "Oscar nominated Keira Knightley on The Imitation Game". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
5. a b c Kilcooley-O'Halloran, Scarlett (31 October 2014). "Keira's Code Of Conduct". British Vogue. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
6. ^ Lee, Ashley (28 November 2014). "'The Imitation Game': What the Critics Are Saying". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
7. - "The Imitation Game (2014)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014.
8. ^ Buchanan, Rose Troup (27 May 2015). "Keira Knightley too beautiful to play codebreaker Joan Clarke says former colleague: 'She looked like the back end of a bus'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
9. ^ Travers, Peter (17 September 2015). "Everest". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
10. ^ "Everest (2015)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
11. ^ Chang, Justin (2 September 2015). "Venice Film Review: 'Everest'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
12. a b McKinley, Jesse (25 October 2015). "Keira Knightley, Making Her Broadway Debut, Is Not Afraid of the Dark". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015.
13. ^ McKinley, Jesse (21 October 2015). "Keira Knightley, Making Her Broadway Debut, Is Not Afraid of the Dark". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
14. ^ Villarreal, Alexandra (29 October 2015). "Keira Knightley Makes Her Broadway Debut in "Thérèse Raquin"". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016.
15. ^ "Barbra Streisand Directing 'Catherine the Great' Movie". Variety Media. 3 December 2015. Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
16. - "Keira Knightley Circling Catherine the Great Biopic". Hollywood Reporter. 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.