Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dakota Johnson
Discover the career path of Dakota Johnson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Dakota Mayi Johnson is an American actress recognized for her work in film and television. She has received critical acclaim, including an Independent Spirit Award and a British Academy Film Award nomination, highlighting her talent and contribution to the entertainment industry. She is best known for her role in the Fifty Shades of Grey film series.
1999: Film Debut in Crazy in Alabama
In 1999, Dakota Johnson made her film debut at age ten with a minor role in Crazy in Alabama, directed by her then-stepfather Antonio Banderas, also starring her mother Melanie Griffith.
2008: Acting Classes with Tom Todoroff
In 2008, Dakota Johnson took acting classes with teacher Tom Todoroff after graduating from high school.
2009: Modeled for MANGO Jeans Line
In 2009, Dakota Johnson modeled for the MANGO brand's jeans line, expanding her career into modeling.
2010: Minor Part in The Social Network
In 2010, Dakota Johnson had a minor part in the film The Social Network.
2011: Small Role in Beastly
In 2011, Dakota Johnson had a small role in the fantasy film Beastly.
2011: Rising Star Campaign for Wish
In 2011, Dakota Johnson shot the "Rising Star" campaign for the Australian fashion label Wish, further establishing her presence in the fashion industry.
March 2012: Leading Role in Ben and Kate
In March 2012, Dakota Johnson had a leading role in the Fox comedy television series Ben and Kate.
2012: Roles in Various Films
In 2012, Dakota Johnson starred in So Yong Kim's drama For Ellen, Christopher Neil's independent comedy Goats, Nicholas Stoller's romance film The Five-Year Engagement, and the comedy 21 Jump Street.
January 25, 2013: Cancellation of Ben and Kate
On January 25, 2013, the Fox comedy television series Ben and Kate, where Dakota Johnson had a leading role, was canceled after one season.
2014: Small Role in Need for Speed
In 2014, Dakota Johnson had a small role in the film Need for Speed.
February 15, 2015: Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special
On February 15, 2015, Dakota Johnson appeared on Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary special.
February 2015: Breakthrough with Fifty Shades of Grey
In February 2015, Dakota Johnson's breakthrough came with her leading role as Anastasia "Ana" Steele in the erotic romantic drama film Fifty Shades of Grey, bringing her international recognition.
February 28, 2015: Hosting Saturday Night Live
On February 28, 2015, Dakota Johnson hosted Saturday Night Live, making her the second daughter of a former SNL host to host the show.
2015: Breakthrough Role in Fifty Shades of Grey
In 2015, Dakota Johnson had her breakthrough playing the lead role in the erotic Fifty Shades film series.
2015: Roles in Black Mass and A Bigger Splash
In 2015, Dakota Johnson's profile grew with roles in the crime drama Black Mass and the drama A Bigger Splash.
June 2016: Invited to Join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
In June 2016, Dakota Johnson was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
2016: Role in How to Be Single
In 2016, Dakota Johnson appeared in the romantic comedy How to Be Single.
2016: BAFTA Nomination and Forbes 30 Under 30
In 2016, Dakota Johnson received a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination and was featured in a Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
2018: Fifty Shades Film Series
Dakota Johnson finished the Fifty Shades film series in 2018.
2018: Roles in Suspiria and Bad Times at the El Royale
In 2018, Dakota Johnson appeared in the horror film Suspiria and the thriller Bad Times at the El Royale.
2018: Time's Up initiative
In 2018, Dakota Johnson collaborated with 300 women in Hollywood to establish the Time's Up initiative, aimed at protecting women from harassment and discrimination.
2018: Reprising Role in Fifty Shades Freed
In 2018, Dakota Johnson reprised her role as Anastasia Steele for the trilogy's final film, Fifty Shades Freed.
January 26, 2019: World Premiere of Wounds at Sundance Film Festival
On January 26, 2019, the psychological horror film Wounds, starring Dakota Johnson, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
March 9, 2019: Premiere of The Peanut Butter Falcon at South by Southwest
On March 9, 2019, The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Dakota Johnson, premiered at South by Southwest.
2019: Role in The Peanut Butter Falcon
In 2019, Dakota Johnson appeared in the coming-of-age film The Peanut Butter Falcon.
May 29, 2020: Release of The High Note
On May 29, 2020, the dramedy film The High Note, starring Dakota Johnson, was released.
November 2020: Investment in Maude
In November 2020, Dakota Johnson was announced as an investor and co-creative director of Maude, a sexual wellness brand.
December 2021: Boat Rocker Media Acquires Minority Interest in TeaTime Pictures
In December 2021, Boat Rocker Media acquired a minority interest in TeaTime Pictures, Dakota Johnson's production company.
2021: Role in The Lost Daughter
In 2021, Dakota Johnson appeared in the psychological drama The Lost Daughter.
2022: Role in Cha Cha Real Smooth
In 2022, Dakota Johnson appeared in the romantic drama Cha Cha Real Smooth.
2022: Starring in Persuasion
In 2022, Dakota Johnson starred in the Netflix film adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion.
November 2023: Signs with Creative Artists Agency
In November 2023, Dakota Johnson departed WME and signed a representation deal with Creative Artists Agency.
March 2024: Launch of Book Club
In March 2024, Dakota Johnson, an avid reader, launched a book club.
2024: Release of Madame Web
In 2024, Dakota Johnson starred in the superhero film Madame Web, set in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, which was critically and commercially unsuccessful.
2025: Role in Materialists
In 2025, Dakota Johnson is scheduled to appear in the romantic film Materialists.
2025: Role in Splitsville and Materialists
In 2025, Dakota Johnson took a supporting role in the comedy Splitsville, which she also served as a producer and a leading role in the Celine Song directed romance Materialists.
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