History of Keira Knightley in Timeline
Keira Knightley is a celebrated English actress recognized for her versatile performances in both independent films and major blockbusters, particularly excelling in period dramas. Her talent has earned her widespread critical acclaim, including nominations for two Academy Awards, two BAFTAs, and four Golden Globes. In recognition of her contributions to drama and her philanthropic work, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018.
1934: The Children's Hour setting
In 2011, Knightly starred in a revival of The Children's Hour, which is set in 1934. The play is about Karen Wright, who is an engaged schoolteacher that is accused of lesbianism.
1942: Studied naturalism of performance as seen in films from the 1930s and 1940s
Keira Knightley studied the "naturalism" of performance as seen in films from the 1930s and 1940s, such as In Which We Serve from 1942 and Brief Encounter from 1945.
1945: Studied naturalism of performance as seen in films from the 1930s and 1940s
Keira Knightley studied the "naturalism" of performance as seen in films from the 1930s and 1940s, such as In Which We Serve from 1942 and Brief Encounter from 1945.
1970: Starred in Misbehaviour
In 2020, Knightly starred in Misbehaviour, a film about the crowning of the first black contestant at the 1970 Miss World competition.
March 1985: Keira Knightley's Birth
Keira Christina Knightley was born in March 1985. At birth, there was a spelling error on her birth certificate where her name was supposed to be "Kira" but it was spelt as "Keira".
March 1985: Birth of Keira Knightley
On March 26, 1985, Keira Christina Knightley was born in Teddington, London, to stage actors Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald. Her name was intended to be "Kira" after Soviet figure skater Kira Ivanova, but was misspelled on her birth certificate.
1993: First Onscreen Appearance
In 1993, Keira Knightley made her first onscreen appearance in the Screen One television episode titled "Royal Celebration".
1995: Role in A Village Affair and Innocent Lies
In 1995, Keira Knightley played Natasha Jordan in the romantic drama A Village Affair, and also appeared in Innocent Lies.
1996: Appearance in The Treasure Seekers
In 1996, Keira Knightley appeared in the television film The Treasure Seekers.
1996: Everest: Based on the 1996 Mount Everest Disaster
In 2015, Knightley starred in the movie Everest, which was based on the real-life 1996 Mount Everest Disaster
1998: Role in Coming Home
In 1998, Keira Knightley appeared in the television film Coming Home.
1999: Television Appearance in Oliver Twist
In 1999, Keira Knightley appeared in Oliver Twist.
1999: Minor Role in Star Wars: Episode I
In 1999, Keira Knightley played a minor role as Sabé in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Knightley's dialogue was dubbed over by Natalie Portman because of their close resemblance.
1999: Role in Oliver Twist and Star Wars: Episode I
In 1999, Keira Knightley played a role in Oliver Twist and landed the role of Sabé in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, where her dialogue was dubbed over by Natalie Portman.
2001: Television Appearance in Princess of Thieves
In 2001, Keira Knightley appeared in Princess of Thieves.
2001: Dating Del Synnott
In 2001, Keira Knightley dated actor Del Synnott.
2001: Major Role in Princess of Thieves
In 2001, Keira Knightley played the daughter of Robin Hood in the Walt Disney Productions television film Princess of Thieves. She trained in archery, fencing, and riding for the role.
2002: Role in The Hole, Doctor Zhivago, and Pure
In 2002, Keira Knightley appeared in The Hole, played Lara Antipova in the miniseries adaptation of Doctor Zhivago, and starred as a pregnant drug addict in the film Pure, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
2002: Breakthrough Role in Bend It Like Beckham
In 2002, Keira Knightley had her breakthrough role as a tomboy footballer in Bend It Like Beckham.
2002: Critical Success of Bend It Like Beckham
In 2002, Keira Knightley starred in Bend It Like Beckham, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2002: The Talking Cure
In 2011, Knightley starred in A Dangerous Method. This movie is based on Christopher Hampton's 2002 stage play The Talking Cure.
2003: Appearance in Love Actually
In 2003, Keira Knightley appeared in Richard Curtis's Christmas-themed romantic comedy Love Actually, playing Juliet, a woman whose fiancé's best man is secretly in love with her.
2003: Critical Success of Love Actually and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
In 2003, Keira Knightley starred in Love Actually, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2003: Dating Del Synnott
In 2003, Keira Knightley stopped dating actor Del Synnott.
2003: Cast as Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean
In 2003, Keira Knightley was cast as Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Despite initial low expectations for the film, it became a major box office success.
2004: Role in King Arthur
In 2004, Keira Knightley played Guinevere, a warrior queen, in the historical film King Arthur. She learned boxing, archery, and riding for the part.
2004: Travel to Ethiopia with Comic Relief
In 2004, Keira Knightley travelled to Ethiopia alongside Richard Curtis, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Julian Metcalfe on behalf of the Comic Relief charity.
2004: Most Influential People in British Culture and FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World
In 2004, Keira Knightley was named among the most influential people in British culture in a BBC poll. Also in 2004, she made her first appearance on FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list and was also part of the American editions of the list from 2004 to 2006.
2004: Second and third films of the Pirates of the Caribbean series were conceived
In 2004, the second and third films of the Pirates of the Caribbean series were conceived. Keira Knightley reprised her role as Elizabeth Swann.
2005: Roles in The Jacket and Domino
In 2005, Keira Knightley appeared in the psychological thriller The Jacket and played the titular character in the action film Domino, which received negative reviews.
2005: Posing for WaterAid and American Library Association
In 2005, Keira Knightley posed for photos for WaterAid and also for the American Library Association's "Read" campaign for Pride & Prejudice.
2005: Academy Award and Golden Globe Nomination for Pride & Prejudice
In 2005, Keira Knightley received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for her performance in Pride & Prejudice.
2005: Critical Success of Pride & Prejudice
In 2005, Keira Knightley starred in Pride & Prejudice, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2005: Dating Jamie Dornan
In 2005, Keira Knightley stopped dating actor Jamie Dornan.
2005: Nominated for Academy Award for Pride & Prejudice
In 2005, Keira Knightley was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice.
2005: Filming for Pirates of the Caribbean Sequels
In 2005, filming took place for the second and third installments of the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
April 2006: New Face of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle
In April 2006, Keira Knightley was confirmed as the new celebrity face of Chanel's perfume Coco Mademoiselle.
July 2006: Release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
In July 2006, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was released, becoming the biggest financial hit of Keira Knightley's career with worldwide collections of $1.066 billion.
November 2006: Reported disinterest in Further Pirates Sequels
In November 2006, it was reported that Keira Knightley expressed disinterest in participating in any further Pirates of the Caribbean sequels.
2006: Break from Acting
In 2006, Keira Knightley took a break from working, stating her desire to travel and focus on her personal life.
2006: Topping FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World List and Maxim Hot 100 List
In 2006, Keira Knightley topped FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list and was also placed ninth on the Maxim Hot 100 list in 2006.
2006: Invited to join the Academy and Reprised role as Elizabeth Swann
In 2006, Keira Knightley was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She reprised her role as Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, which became a major financial hit. The series allowed Knightley to study sword-fighting.
2006: Donation of Academy Awards Dress to Oxfam
In 2006, the dress Keira Knightley wore to the Academy Awards was donated to the charity Oxfam, where it raised £4,300.
2006: Stopped being in Pirates of the Caribbean series
Keira Knightley stated that she would never return to the Pirates of the Caribbean series since 2006.
May 2007: Release of First Photo for Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle Campaign
In May 2007, the first photo from Keira Knightley's campaign for Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle perfume was released.
2007: Pirates of the Caribbean film series
From 2003 to 2007, Keira Knightley achieved global recognition for playing Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.
2007: Golden Globe and British Academy Film Award Nomination and Empire Award Win for Atonement
In 2007, Keira Knightley received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama and a British Academy Film Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Atonement. She won the Empire Award for Best Actress for her performance in Atonement.
2007: Critical Success of Atonement
In 2007, Keira Knightley starred in Atonement, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2007: Starred in Atonement
In 2007, Keira Knightley starred in the period film Atonement.
2007: Releases of Silk and Atonement
In 2007, Keira Knightley starred in two film adaptations: Silk, which failed at the box office, and Atonement, which became a critical and commercial success. She won the Empire Award for Best Actress for Atonement.
2007: Libel Case Win and Donation to Beat
In 2007, Keira Knightley won a libel case against the British tabloid Daily Mail after it falsely claimed that she had an eating disorder. She donated the awarded £3,000 plus an additional £3,000 to Beat, a charity for those with mental illness and eating disorders.
2008: Starred in The Edge of Love
In 2008, Keira Knightley appeared alongside Sienna Miller in The Edge of Love, playing Vera Phillips. The film focused on Vera's romance with a British soldier. Knightley based her performance on Marlene Dietrich and sang live in the film.
2008: The Duchess Release
In 2008, Keira Knightley starred as Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, in the film The Duchess, based on Amanda Foreman's biographical novel. The film explores Georgiana's life as a sociopolitical tastemaker after her marriage falls apart, with Knightley drawn to the character's strength and political influence.
2008: Critical Success of The Duchess
In 2008, Keira Knightley starred in The Duchess, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2008: Highest-Earning British Hollywood Star
In 2008, Keira Knightley was the highest-earning British Hollywood star according to the Forbes Celebrity 100 list.
2008: Hypnotherapy and BAFTA Awards Attendance
In early 2008, Keira Knightley underwent hypnotherapy to prevent panic attacks, enabling her to attend that year's BAFTA Awards, where she was nominated for her performance in Atonement.
April 2009: Appearance in Domestic Abuse Awareness Video
In April 2009, Keira Knightley appeared in a video entitled Cut to raise awareness of domestic abuse for Women's Aid. This video stirred controversy.
December 2009: West End Debut in The Misanthrope
In December 2009, Keira Knightley made her West End debut in Martin Crimp's version of Molière's comedy, The Misanthrope, at the Comedy Theatre. She played Jennifer, an American film star, and received mixed reviews for her performance. Knightley was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and an Evening Standard Award.
2009: Appearance in The Misanthrope
In 2009, Keira Knightley appeared in The Misanthrope in the West End, which earned her an Olivier Award nomination.
2009: Final Appearance on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World
In 2009, Keira Knightley was included in every subsequent issue of FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list until 2009.
2009: Named Among Most Bankable Actors
In 2009, Keira Knightley was named amongst the most bankable actors.
February 2010: Harassment Charges Against Man
In February 2010, a 41-year-old man was charged with harassment after trying to contact Keira Knightley on several occasions outside London's Comedy Theatre.
November 2010: Patron of SMA Trust
In November 2010, Keira Knightley became patron of the SMA Trust, a British charity that funds medical research into the disease spinal muscular atrophy.
2010: Expressed Desire to Move On
By 2010, Keira Knightley, along with Orlando Bloom, had repeatedly stated their desire to move on from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
2010: Critical Success of Never Let Me Go
In 2010, Keira Knightley starred in Never Let Me Go, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2010: Dating Rupert Friend
In 2010, Keira Knightley stopped dating actor Rupert Friend.
February 2011: Relationship with James Righton
In February 2011, Keira Knightley began a relationship with musician James Righton.
2011: Appearance in The Children's Hour
In 2011, Keira Knightley appeared in The Children's Hour in the West End.
2011: Critical Success of A Dangerous Method
In 2011, Keira Knightley starred in A Dangerous Method, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2011: Starring in The Children's Hour and A Dangerous Method
In 2011, Keira Knightley starred in a revival of The Children's Hour in London and in the film A Dangerous Method. Her role in A Dangerous Method, where she played Sabina Spielrein, earned her favorable reviews. Knightley spent four months reading and discussing her character's behavior with psychologists to prepare for the role.
2011: Starred in A Dangerous Method
In 2011, Keira Knightley starred in the period film A Dangerous Method.
2012: Starring in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and Anna Karenina
In 2012, Keira Knightley co-starred in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, which received negative reviews. She also reunited with director Joe Wright for Anna Karenina, receiving positive reviews for her portrayal of the title character. She deemed this collaboration the most important of her career.
2012: Starred in Anna Karenina
In 2012, Keira Knightley starred in the period film Anna Karenina.
May 2013: Marriage to James Righton
On 4 May 2013, Keira Knightley married musician James Righton in Mazan, France.
2013: Starred in Begin Again
In 2013, Keira Knightley took on a contemporary-set role in Begin Again.
2013: Premiere of Begin Again at the Toronto International Film Festival
In 2013, Keira Knightley's musical film Begin Again premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. She starred alongside Mark Ruffalo in the film directed by John Carney. The Guardian noted that Knightley and Ruffalo were "nicely natural as the increasingly idealistic musos".
February 2014: Feminist Perspectives in Harper's Bazaar UK
In February 2014, Keira Knightley received media attention for her perspectives on feminism, voiced in an interview with Harper's Bazaar UK. She discussed the hurdles women face in the film industry and her perplexity with the derogatory use of "feminist".
July 2014: Statement on Career Shift
In July 2014, Keira Knightley announced that she had reached the end of the first stage of her career and wanted to move away from "neurotic" roles. She sought to do a lighter film than her previous work.
September 2014: Topless Photoshoot for Interview Magazine
In September 2014, Keira Knightley posed topless for the cover of Interview magazine, stipulating that the image not be digitally altered, to highlight the issue of women's bodies as a battleground and photography's role in it.
2014: Theatrical Release of Begin Again
In 2014, Begin Again, starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, had its theatrical release. John Carney, the director, later criticized Knightley's performance, though he later apologized for his comments on Twitter.
2014: Academy Award, Golden Globe and British Academy Film Award Nomination for The Imitation Game
In 2014, Keira Knightley received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, and a British Academy Film Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in The Imitation Game.
2014: Starred in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and The Imitation Game
In 2014, Keira Knightley starred in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, a contemporary-set film, and The Imitation Game, a historical film where she played Joan Clarke. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Imitation Game.
2014: Critical Success of The Imitation Game
In 2014, Keira Knightley starred in The Imitation Game, which became one of her most critically successful films.
October 2015: Broadway Debut in Thérèse Raquin
In October 2015, Keira Knightley made her Broadway debut in Helen Edmundson's adaptation of Émile Zola's Thérèse Raquin. She played the title role at Studio 54 and sought to depart from passive supporting roles.
2015: Birth of First Daughter
In 2015, Keira Knightley and James Righton had their first daughter.
2015: Release of Everest
In 2015, Keira Knightley appeared in the biographical disaster film Everest. She played the wife of mountaineer Rob Hall. The film received generally positive reviews.
2015: Starred in Thérèse Raquin on Broadway
In 2015, Keira Knightley starred as the titular heroine in the Broadway production of Thérèse Raquin.
May 2016: Signing Letter to Remain in the EU
In May 2016, Keira Knightley signed a letter imploring Britain to vote "remain" in the UK EU referendum alongside other notable figures.
September 2016: UNHCR Video Appearance and Green Carpet Challenge Hosting
In September 2016, Keira Knightley appeared in a UNHCR video to raise awareness of the global refugee crisis and co-hosted A Night to Remember, part of the Green Carpet Challenge, highlighting sustainability in fashion.
December 2016: Man Sentenced for Harassment and Stalking
In December 2016, another man was sentenced to eight weeks in prison after harassing Keira Knightley outside her home and stalking her.
2016: Remarks on Childcare Affordability
In 2016, Keira Knightley remarked on the expense of childcare in England and acknowledged her privilege in affording good childcare.
2016: Starred in Collateral Beauty
In 2016, Knightley starred in the ensemble drama Collateral Beauty, which was critically panned. It was also revealed that Knightley was set to star in a biopic about Catherine the Great, though the project did not come to fruition.
September 2017: BGC Charity Day Stock Trading
In September 2017, Keira Knightley traded stocks on behalf of the spinal muscular atrophy charity SMA Trust as part of the BGC Charity Day.
2017: Pirates of the Caribbean film series
In 2017, Keira Knightley continued playing Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.
2017: Cameo in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
In 2017, Keira Knightley reprised her role as Elizabeth Swann in a cameo appearance in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, due to popular demand from test audiences.
2018: Gained Confidence and Craft
By 2018, with the release of Colette, Knightley stated she felt she had learned her craft and mentally occupied a "good place where I feel pretty confident about what I can do".
2018: Mental Breakdown and PTSD Diagnosis
In 2018, Keira Knightley revealed that she had a mental breakdown at age 22 and had been later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to struggling with her sudden fame.
2018: Starred in Colette
In 2018, Keira Knightley starred as the title character in Colette.
2018: Critical Success of Colette
In 2018, Keira Knightley starred in Colette, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2018: Appointed OBE
In 2018, Keira Knightley was appointed an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) at Buckingham Palace for her contributions to drama and charity.
2018: Starred in Colette and Awarded OBE
In 2018, Knightley starred in the biographical drama Colette. That same year, Knightley was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to drama and charity.
January 2019: Premiere of Official Secrets
In January 2019, Official Secrets, starring Keira Knightley as Katharine Gun, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. The film explores government accountability and the Iraq War.
2019: Birth of Second Daughter
In 2019, Keira Knightley and James Righton had their second daughter.
2019: Critical Success of Official Secrets
In 2019, Keira Knightley starred in Official Secrets, which became one of her most critically successful films.
April 2020: World Health Day Livestream Participation
In April 2020, Keira Knightley participated in a World Health Day livestream to raise money for charity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2020: #PinYourThanks Campaign Pin Badge Design
In June 2020, Keira Knightley and other celebrities designed a range of pin badges for the #PinYourThanks campaign, dedicated to thanking essential workers, with all profits going to NHS Charities Together and Volunteering Matters.
October 2020: Backing Made By Dyslexia Campaign
In October 2020, Keira Knightley backed Made By Dyslexia, a global campaign to help teachers address "dyslexic strengths".
2020: Starred in Misbehaviour
In 2020, Keira Knightley starred in Misbehaviour, a film about the 1970 Miss World competition and intersectionality in second-wave feminism. Knightley played feminist activist Sally Alexander. The movie received positive reviews.
2020: Critical Success of Misbehaviour
In 2020, Keira Knightley starred in Misbehaviour, which became one of her most critically successful films.
2021: Red Nose Day Skit Participation
In 2021, Keira Knightley participated in a skit entitled 2020 The Movie, commemorating Red Nose Day.
2021: Starred in Silent Night and Voiced Charlotte
In 2021, Keira Knightley starred in the holiday comedy Silent Night and voiced the lead role in the animated film Charlotte, which tells the true story of a young artist during the Holocaust.
2023: Portrayed Loretta McLaughlin in Boston Strangler
In 2023, Keira Knightley portrayed reporter Loretta McLaughlin in the crime drama film Boston Strangler, which is based on the true story of the Boston Strangler murders.
2023: Starred in Boston Strangler
In 2023, Keira Knightley starred as journalist Loretta McLaughlin in Boston Strangler.
2024: Starred in Black Doves
In 2024, Keira Knightley starred as a spy in the thriller series Black Doves.
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