Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley, born in 1985 to actors Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald, found early success as a child model and television actress before starring as Padmé Amidala's handmaiden in "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace." Her breakthrough came in 2002 with "Bend It Like Beckham," but it was her role as Elizabeth Swann in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series that launched her to global stardom. Knightley, known for her nuanced period roles, earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride & Prejudice" and reprised historical figures in "Atonement," "The Duchess," and "Anna Karenina." She ventured into contemporary dramas with "Begin Again" and "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit," and returned to historical roles in "The Imitation Game" and "Colette." Knightley's stage work includes an Olivier-nominated performance in "The Misanthrope," and she is a noted activist for social issues and