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In some families, one is not always expected to follow the footsteps of what the parents have taken as their profession, and this unexpectedly had occurred in the life of Keira Knightley. Even though she is the daughter of British actor William Knightley and a playwright named Sharman McDonald, this enchanting brunette at first was discouraged to enter the entertainment industry when she revealed her intention to be an actress at a very young age. After she kept repeating her desire for the next several years, her mother eventually gave in with one condition. The six-years-old girl had to study during the school holidays and was obliged to put education on her priority before acting. This was a difficult task due to her struggle with dyslexia, yet she tried hard to finally excel at school.

Born on March 26, 1985 in Teddington, Middlesex, England as Kiera Christina Knightley, she earned her first appearance at the age of seven through a TV movie entitled “Royal Celebration” (1993). In the following year, she had already made her big screen debut playing a minor role in “A Village Affair.” Continuing her study at Teddington Comprehensive School, she starred in “Innocent Lies” (1995), “Treasure Seekers” (1996), while getting an “introducing…” title in an adaptation of Rosamunde Pilcher’s novel, “Coming Home” (1998). A promising chance approached when she joined the cast of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999) to portray Sabe, the handmaiden and decoy of Queen Amidala played by Natalie Portman. Apparently she was selected because of her close resemblance to the beautiful actress.

Although her role in that first part of Star Wars saga was a small one, Keira successfully displayed a memorable performance that brought attention both in U.S. and U.K. This, without doubt, directed her to gain more important roles as seen in British TV miniseries “Oliver Twist” (1999) and a short film called “Deflation” (2001). Things unmistakably ran better by the time she secured a major role in Disney’s “Princess of Thieves” (2001). Not only made a development in her career, she also found love in Del Synnott who was her opposite in this TV movie. Next, she starred in a British horror flick, “The Hole” (2001), alongside another teen star, Thora Birch. Despite the failure to be a hit movie, the film had shown her amazing talent which people began to take notice of. However, it was through “Bend It Like Beckham” (2002) that she ultimately created a sensation.

Playing a soccer-obsessed teenager named Juliette ‘Jules’ Paxton, Keira received broader recognition and critical acclaim as “Bend It Like Beckham” scored box office in U.K. while also became a sleeper hit in U.S.. Her rough soccer training of three months length with famous coach, Simon Clifford, was indeed proven worthy. She went on by taking more serious roles in several projects, such as “Pure” (2002) and a mini TV series of “Doctor Zhivago” (2002). Wanting to focus her attention in these two productions, she then decided to quit her study on Art, English Literature, History and Classical Civilisations at Esher College. Keira ended the year by passing an audition to be included in the cast of “Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl” (2003). A Jerry Bruckheimer’s production, the action-adventure flick was also starred by notable actors, like Geoffrey Rush, Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.

Amid people’s skepticism of whether it could be a success, “Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl” rapidly collected over 46 million U.S. dollars in its first week. This amount kept increasing until almost $654 millions worldwide, making the film placed in the top 30 of all time worldwide blockbuster movie charts. This tremendous attainment unquestionably boosted Keira’s career, making the slender actress as the new rising star of Hollywood. Huge praise was addressed as a result of her excellent portrayal, including from Bruckheimer. “Obviously we were looking for a beautiful young woman, but beauty alone is not enough,” he said. “Keira is truly gifted and it is wonderful to watch her work. It seems so effortless. She’s going to be a big star.”

As her popularity flourished, Keira got busier throughout the year, filming “Love Actually” (2003) while also becoming the spokesperson of both luxury goods firm Asprey and the British Dyslexia Association. In the same year her relationship with Del Synott sadly had come to an end. However, she did not have to wait long enough for a new love as she met an Irish model named Jamie Dornan by August. Meanwhile, looking upon her success in “Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl,” it was no surprise then when Bruckheimer once again offered her another opportunity to star in his next production, “King Arthur” (2004) together with Clive Owen and Ioan Gruffudd. The movie turned out very well, garnering more than 51 million dollars. In early 2004, Keira spent her time in Scotland and Canada filming John Maybury’s time-traveling thriller, “The Jacket” (2005), in which Oscar-winner Adrien Brody portrayed a Gulf War veteran charged with murder and locked in a mental institution awaiting execution.

Keira’s next project was a movie of Deborah Moggach’s novel “Tulip Fever,” about forbidden love in 17th Century Amsterdam. However, the movie was cancelled in February after the British government suddenly closed tax breaks available to British filmmakers. In the meantime, the actress won’t get stuck, made use her precious time visiting Ethiopia on behalf of the Comic Relief charity. By summer that year, she already got busy filming an adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Pride and Prejudice” (2005), alongside Matthew MacFadyen, Donald Sutherland and Judi Dench. In October, Keira received the Hollywood Film Award for Best Breakthrough Actor – Female before then trying to take part in the part-fact, part-fiction movie tells the life story of model turned bounty hunter “Domino” (2005). Soon after, she worked on completing the last two films of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy; “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” Man’s (2006) due for a Summer 2006 release and “Pirates of the Caribbean 3” (2007) for Summer 2007. Aside from her hectic filming schedules, this beauty also is developing herself into an actress instead of just a movie star. The many diverse projects she has lined up become an evident proof that she’s ready to receive her other accolade.