Keira Knightley was born on 26 March
1985 in Teddington, London, England, to a playwright
mother, Sharman McDonald, and actor father, Will
Knightley. Keira was interested in acting at an
early age. At first, her parents were reluctant
to let their daughter go into show business, therefore
they ensured that Keira only take jobs that didn't
interfere with her education.
Keira made her film debut at the age of twelve in
the romantic drama A Village Affair (1994)
which was followed by Innocent Lies (1995),
Treasure Seekers (1996)
and Coming Home (1998).
Keira finally got her first big break when she was
cast as the decoy queen in Star Wars: The Phantom
Menace (1999). She
then starred on the television miniseries Oliver
Twist (2000) and as
Robin Hood's daughter on Princess of Thieves (2001).
Although Keira caught the attention of audiences
in the thriller The Hole (2001),
her memorable role as the best friend to Parminder
K. Nagra in the comedy drama Bend It Like Beckham
(2002) endeared her
to wider audiences.
In 2002, Keira played a memorable role as Lara Antipova
in the miniseries Doctor Zhivago which became a
hit. She once again turned in a memorable performance
as the beautiful young maiden whose blood may hold
the key to life for a group of pirates in Pirates
of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).
Filmography:
2006
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead
Man's Chest
2005
Pride & Prejudice
2005
The Jacket
2005
Domino
2004
King Arthur
2003
Love Actually
2003
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the
Black Pearl
2002
Bend It Like Beckham
2002
Doctor Zhivago
2002
Pure
2001
Princess of Thieves
2001
The Hole
1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
1998
Coming Home
Awards:
Broadcast Film Critics Association
•
2005 Best Actress (Pride
& Prejudice)
Golden Globe
•
2005 Best Actress - Musical or Comedy
(Pride & Prejudice)
