Tuesday, March 24, 2009

TheTVObserver: Keira Knightley


Born on March 26, 1985 in Teddington, Middlesex, England as Keira 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.

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.

Keira Knightleywent on by taking more serious roles in several projects, such as "Pure" (2002) and a mini TV series of "Doctor Zhivago" (2002). 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)

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 in its first week. This amount kept increasing until almost $654 million worldwide. 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."

The chain of success wonderfully continued for Keira as her subsequent starring vehicles of the last two installments of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End" (2007) delightfully became massive commercial success with each scoring no less than $300 million domestically.

The same year in which "Worlds End" got released also saw the actress take female lead in dramatic features "Silk" and "Atonement" before moviegoers could spot her in those of "The Duchess" (2008) and "The Edge of Love" (2008), formerly titled "The Best Time of Our Lives", alongside other rising stars Cillian Murphy and Sienna Miller.

Keira Knightley was chosen 2nd on Forbes' list of Hollywood's Best Paid Actors for the females category, raking in an estimated $32 million between June 1, 2007 through June 1, 2008.

Was voted by readers of Hello! magazine as The Movie Industry's Most Promising Teen Star. Ranked 10th in Forbes magazine's annual list of the 20 Top-Earning Stars Under 25 in 2007, taking in $9 million between June 2006 to June 2007..

Keira Knightley once visited Ethiopia on behalf of the Comic Relief charity.

Had the green silk evening gown she wore as Cecilia Tallis in the 2007 film "Atonement" being sold in an online auction to raise money for Variety - The Children's Charity of Southern California (February 2008).

Keira Knightley was one of the Hollywood celebrities who has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (July 2006).

Does admit during the promotion of her film "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" on July 4, 2006 in London that her family has a history of anorexia, but on the other way around insists she does not have an eating disorder.

Donated the Vera Wang dress she wore to the 78th Oscar to raise money for Oxfam's relief work in East Africa.

Her mother wrote both "When I Was A Girl I Used To Scream And Shout" and "The Winter Guest."

She likes Prada and Jimmy Choos' shoes. Keira Knightley supports West Ham United football team. Trained in dancing.

She did her first nude scene at the age of 16, in "The Hole" (2001).

Keira Knightley made her first appearance at the age of seven through a TV movie entitled "Royal Celebration" (1993). She quit school at the age of 16 and she has dyslexia.

By TheTVObserver
Contact: mailtheobserver (at) yahoo.com
© 2009. TheTVObserver. All Rights Reserved. Pictures used on TheTVObserver graphics and information sourced from third parties are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

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