Keira Knightley is one of the most recognizable actors of her generation, captivating audiences for decades. Starring in some of the biggest films of the 21st century—such as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the holiday favorite Love Actually, and what is considered one of the best adaptations of Pride & Prejudice—Knightley has cemented her place in Hollywood history. Not only is she renowned for her acting prowess, but her beauty has also been widely celebrated, topping FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll in 2006, according to Evening Standard.
While Knightley rose to prominence in the 2000s, her career actually began in the ’90s. Her first on-screen appearance came in 1993 with an episode of Screen One, and since then, she has grown from a budding starlet into an international icon. Along the way, she’s remained grounded, balancing fame with personal growth. Today, she continues to dominate the acting world while thriving as a wife and mother. Here’s a closer look at how Keira Knightley has transformed over the years.
#1. She Knew She Wanted an Agent at the Age of 3
Many people spend years figuring out their life’s path, but Keira Knightley had it all figured out by the age of three. Coming from a creative family—her mother, Sharman Macdonald, is a playwright and actress, and her father, Will Knightley, is also an actor—she knew early on that she wanted an agent of her own. As she told The Independent, agents “were always phoning the house, and it was quite exciting when they called up.”
Knightley had to wait until she was 7 to get an agent, but by the time she was 8, she had landed her first TV role on Screen One. Over the next few years, she continued to book roles in shows like The Bill and films such as The Treasure Seekers.
#2. She Was Diagnosed with Dyslexia as a Child
Though Knightley was passionate about acting from a young age, her parents made sure that school came first. They didn’t allow her to take on roles that would require her to miss too much school, limiting her acting jobs to the summers. This focus on education also helped her manage dyslexia, which she was diagnosed with as a child.
Her parents told her she couldn’t audition for roles unless her grades improved. This incentive drove her to work hard in overcoming dyslexia. As Knightley explained to The Independent, “It was that that led to getting over [the dyslexia] and starting to read and working very hard.”
#3. She Was a Tomboy Growing Up
Before becoming the glamorous movie star we know today, Knightley was a self-described tomboy. She rarely wore skirts, fought to play football at school, and idolized Al Pacino’s portrayal of Michael Corleone in The Godfather.
Her tomboyish behavior was more than a rebellion against gender norms; it was also an early critique of the limitations women face in the entertainment industry. “The great parts are the guys’ parts,” she told The Guardian. “You don’t want to be the pretty girl in the corner.”
#4. She Was Cast in Star Wars: Episode I
At just 12 years old, Knightley landed a role in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as Sabé, the handmaiden of Queen Amidala. Although it was a big production, Knightley didn’t have the best time on set.
In an interview with Total Film via Games Radar, Knightley admitted that she barely remembers the role, aside from the uncomfortable costumes and not having much to do as a background character. She even nodded off during filming. Years later, in an interview with Coming Soon, Knightley admitted she didn’t remember the name of her character, confusing Sabé with Padme.
#5. Bend It Like Beckham Was Her Big Break
Though Knightley had several credits under her belt, it wasn’t until 2002’s Bend It Like Beckham that she truly established herself. Playing Jules, the soccer-loving best friend of the film’s protagonist, Knightley won audiences over with her charm and energy.
While the indie hit became a beloved favorite, Knightley faced some harsh critiques. Rolling Stone called her “a real hottie,” but her acting was criticized by some. Knightley took it in stride, telling Radio Times that she didn’t have formal training and understood the criticism: “I’m pretending I can do this, and everybody’s telling me I can’t.”
#6. Pirates of the Caribbean Made Her a Household Name
Keira Knightley became a global sensation with her role as Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003. Though she joined the project thinking it might flop, the movie was a massive success, catapulting her to stardom.
The sudden fame wasn’t easy to handle. Knightley admitted to Variety that becoming a household name at 18 was overwhelming and required years of therapy to process. Despite the pressure, she doesn’t regret anything, saying, “I wouldn’t change it.” She reprised her role in three more Pirates films.
#7. An Oscar Nomination Proved Her Talent
Though her early success was undeniable, Knightley faced doubts about her acting abilities. Some critics dismissed her as just a pretty face who had lucked into fame. Knightley began to question her own talent, telling Elle, “For ages, people were saying, ‘She absolutely can’t act.'”
That changed when she starred as Elizabeth Bennet in 2005’s Pride & Prejudice. Knightley earned an Oscar nomination for the role, finally silencing her critics and proving her range as an actress.
#8. Fame Forced Her to Grow Up Quickly
Achieving fame in her teens came at a cost. While her parents were proud of her accomplishments, they worried about how growing up in the spotlight might affect her. Knightley revealed to Elle that her father wished fame had come later so she could experience a more typical adolescence.
The scrutiny and media attention were difficult for her to manage. “You need to make mistakes,” Knightley told Variety, adding that the expectations placed on her were particularly harsh because she was so young.
#9. Rumors of an Eating Disorder Followed Her
As Knightley’s fame grew, so did rumors about her appearance, particularly about her slim figure. Speculation that she had an eating disorder became so rampant that she sued The Daily Mail for publishing a story suggesting her thinness was linked to anorexia, winning £3,000 in damages.
Knightley has repeatedly asserted that she’s naturally slim, explaining to People via HuffPost that while eating disorders run in her family, she does not struggle with one.
#9. Rumors of an Eating Disorder Followed Her
At 22, the pressures of fame became too much, and Knightley experienced a mental breakdown. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she revealed that she didn’t leave her house for several months and eventually sought therapy for PTSD.
After taking a year off, Knightley returned to acting but admitted to Vogue that she nearly quit the industry entirely.
#10. She Took a Break for Her Mental Health
In 2013, Knightley married musician James Righton in a low-key ceremony after two years of dating. She takes a pragmatic approach to marriage, telling Glamour that she accepted Righton’s proposal because “it seemed like a fun thing to do.”
#11. She Married James Righton
Since becoming a mother in 2015, Knightley has balanced her thriving career with raising her two daughters, Edie and Delilah. Although it’s a challenge to juggle work and family life, Knightley has learned to manage it.
However, she’s grown tired of the double standards, pointing out to Hello Giggles that men are rarely asked how they balance their careers with fatherhood.
#12. She’s Not Afraid of Aging
Though many actresses fear aging in Hollywood, Knightley embraces it. She told the Daily Mail that she admires women with gray hair and wrinkles because they reflect a life fully lived. While aging can be intimidating, Knightley sees it as a natural evolution.
As Knightley has grown older, she’s become more secure in her identity and confident in her craft. She told Glamour UK that things only improved in her mid-20s, adding, “Maybe you stop caring as much about what other people think.”
We can’t wait to see where Keira Knightley’s career takes her next!
