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Keira Knightley started her career at the young age of 6 and is well known for films including 'Bend It Like Beckham' and 'Colette'! At only 39-years-old, the British actress has had quite the career so far! Here are some of her best roles through the years!
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After getting her start at the age of 6 in various TV shows and commercials, Keira would make her film debut in 1995 in the romantic drama A Village Affair. However, despite several appearances, Keira would not have her big break until 2002 with hit film Bend It Like Beckham! The actress spent several months in soccer training to prepare for the role and her hard work paid off!
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Because of her success with Bend It Like Beckham, Keira would land the lead role of "Elizabeth Swann" in Disney's 2003 film, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The film was the most successful box office hit of the year and Keira would go on to star in three of the four sequels of the film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006), Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World's End (2007), and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Tells No Tales (2017).
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The most successful film for Keira in 2005 would be the film adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel Pride & Prejudice. The novel was one of Keira's favorite books growing up, and Keira would land the lead role of "Elizabeth Bennet"!
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Keira attracted much attention with the success of period drama Pride & Prejudice, and would be cast in yet another period drama in 2007, Joe Wright's Atonement, also based of the novels by Ian McEwan! The film brought Keira critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination!
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Continuing on her period drama success, Keira's next film would be 2008's The Duchess also based of a novel, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman! The film would earn her a nomination at the British Independent Film Awards for Best Actress and critics praised her for perfectly portraying her character "Georgiana".
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2012 brought a film that Keira, herself, would deem the most important production of her career, historical romantic drama Anna Karenina! Keira landed the lead role in this film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's 1877 novel and would receive positive praise for her role!
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Stepping away from period dramas, Keira showed us how talented and versatile she is with 2013 hit musical-comedy, Begin Again! Keira starred opposite Mark Ruffalo in this heartwarming story of a singer-songwriter and struggling record producer! However, Keira would later say the movie was a challenge for her and her true interests still laid in books and drama.
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Keira returned to historical dramas in 2013 with the successful film The Imitation Game, based off of the real life story of British mathematician Alan Turing! Keira starred alongside actor Benedict Cumberbatch as cryptanalyst "Joan Clarke". Keira would receive her second Academy Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actress with the success of the film!
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Stepping outside of her comfort zone again, Keira Knightley would star in 2014's spy thriller Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit based of the fictional books by Tom Clancy. The film boosted big name actors like Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, and Kenneth Branagh and was a box-office hit despite mixed reviews!