Top 10 Facts about Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley, the talented English actress renowned for her roles in period dramas, possesses a multitude of intriguing facets beyond her on-screen presence. From career milestones to personal anecdotes, here are 10 notable facts about this remarkable actress. SSP prepared.

1. Unique birth circumstances

Keira Knightley's birth was the result of a bet. Facing financial difficulties, her father set a condition for her birth, stating that her mother must sell a script first. This led her mother to write and sell a play, ultimately leading to Knightley's birth.

2. Theater background

Knightley comes from a family immersed in the world of theater. Both her parents, Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald, are experienced stage actors. Her father is a founding member of London's Half Moon Theatre, while her mother is a playwright, screenwriter, and actress.

3. Misspelled name

Keira was meant to be named "Kiera" after a Russian figure skater. However, her mother misspelled the name on her birth certificate, and it remained as "Keira." This unique spelling favored her in the industry, and interestingly, the name "Keira" nearly broke into the top 100 female baby names in the US in 2006.

4. Early career

Knightley started her acting journey at a young age by appearing in commercials and television films. Her breakthrough role came at the age of 17 in the sports film "Bend It Like Beckham" (2002), where she portrayed a tomboy footballer. This marked the beginning of her successful career.

5. Dyslexia battle

Knightley was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, which made her early academic life challenging. Her parents motivated her to improve her reading by striking a deal in which she had to learn to read before being enrolled in summer acting classes. Today, although she remains a slower reader, she has an impressive list of books she has tackled.

6. Young Oscar nominee

Knightley received her first Academy Award nomination for her role as Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride & Prejudice" in 2006. At just 20 years old, she became the fifth-youngest actress in Oscar history to receive this honor. She later received a second nomination for "Best Supporting Actress" for her role in "The Imitation Game."

7. Physical similarities with Natalie Portman

Knightley is often mistaken for actress Natalie Portman due to their physical similarities. The resemblance became apparent when they both starred in "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," where Knightley played Queen Padmé's handmaiden.

8. OBE recipient

In 2018, Knightley was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for her outstanding contributions to drama and charity work. Prince Charles presented her with the honor during the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

9. Absence from social media

Despite living in a social media-driven society, Knightley has reservations about joining any social media platforms. She prefers to keep her personal life away from excessive public scrutiny and does not see the need to share additional information about herself online.

10. Unique hidden talent

Knightley has demonstrated her unique musical talent by playing her teeth like a musical instrument in various interviews. She has showcased her skills by playing popular songs like "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head."