Dakota Johnson

Dakota Mayi Johnson, born on October 4, 1989, is a talented American actress whose cinematic journey began at the tender age of ten in the film Crazy in Alabama (1999), where she shared the screen with her mother, Melanie Griffith. Following high school, she ventured into the bustling realm of Los Angeles auditions, securing a minor role in The Social Network (2010). However, it was her captivating portrayal of Anastasia Steele in the provocative Fifty Shades film series (2015-2018) that catapulted her to stardom. Notably, in 2016, she earned a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination and found her place in Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 list.

Johnson's artistic footprint expanded with diverse roles in films such as the crime drama Black Mass (2015), the emotionally charged A Bigger Splash (2015), the charming romantic comedy How to Be Single (2016), the unsettling horror Suspiria (2018), the gripping thriller Bad Times at the El Royale (2018), the heartwarming coming-of-age tale The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019), the thought-provoking psychological drama The Lost Daughter (2021), and the enchanting romantic drama Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022). Notably, she took on the role of producer for the latter film through her company, TeaTime Pictures.

Early Life

Dakota Mayi Johnson was welcomed into the world on October 4, 1989, at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas, to thespian parents Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. Her cinematic lineage extends further, with maternal grandparents Peter Griffith and Tippi Hedren and aunts and uncles in the form of Tracy Griffith and Clay A. Griffith. The Spanish actor Antonio Banderas, her former stepfather, adds another layer to her diverse family, which includes six half-siblings—Alexander Bauer (1985), Stella Banderas (1996), Jesse (1982), Jasper (2002), Deacon (2006), and Grace Johnson (1999).

Growing up amidst the whirlwind of her parents' acting careers, Johnson's childhood was a nomadic adventure, marked by stints on various film sets and attendance at premieres. Despite this, she found moments of normalcy, working at a local market during summers as a teenager in Woody Creek, Colorado, where she happened to be neighbors with the iconic Hunter S. Thompson. Her educational journey took her to the Aspen Community School and later the Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California, for her freshman year before she transferred to the private New Roads School in Santa Monica, California, shaping her into the multifaceted artist she is today.

At the age of twelve, Johnson's fascination with modeling sparked after participating in a Teen Vogue photoshoot alongside other celebrity kids. Throughout high school in Santa Monica, she not only pursued modeling, contributing to her income but also grappled with depression from around the age of fourteen, leading her to seek rehabilitation. Additionally, Johnson contended with ADHD from childhood.

Her interest in acting emerged during her childhood, as she spent considerable time on film sets with her parents. However, they discouraged her from pursuing acting until after high school graduation. Despite facing rejection from Juilliard in New York City, where her audition featured a Radiohead cover, Johnson's journey into the world of entertainment continued.

Career

1999-2014: Beginnings

In her early career from 1999 to 2014, Johnson made her film debut in "Crazy in Alabama" alongside her half-sister, directed by her ex-stepfather Antonio Banderas. In 2006, she made history as the first second-generation Miss Golden Globe. Although acting remained her primary focus, she signed with IMG Models in 2006 and ventured into modeling for brands like MANGO and the Australian label Wish.

After high school, Johnson honed her acting skills with teacher Tom Todoroff until 2008, subsequently signing with the William Morris Agency to kickstart her acting career. Her journey began with a minor role as Amelia Ritter in the Oscar-nominated film "The Social Network" (2010), directed by David Fincher. She undertook a small role in the fantastical production Beastly (2011), followed by her appearance in So Yong Kim's poignant drama For Ellen (2012) alongside Paul Dano and Jon Heder. The latter film delves into the struggles of a musician caught in the throes of a custody battle. The year 2012 saw her diverse portfolio expand with roles in Christopher Neil's indie comedy Goats, where she portrayed a prep school student; Nicholas Stoller's romantic comedy The Five-Year Engagement; and the comedic venture 21 Jump Street. Adding to the mix, she took on the female lead in Chris Nelson's Date and Switch, a film penned by Alan Yang.

March 2012 marked a significant shift for Johnson as she secured the role of Kate in the Fox comedy series Ben and Kate, heralding her debut in television. Unfortunately, the show met its end on January 25, 2013, after just one season. Undeterred, Johnson promptly returned to the silver screen with a minor role in Need for Speed (2014). The following year, she made a notable appearance as one of the new hires in the series finale episode of the NBC comedy series The Office.

2015-2019: Breakthrough

The period from 2015 to 2019 proved to be a turning point in Johnson's career. Her breakthrough came in the form of the leading role as Anastasia Steele in the erotic romantic drama Fifty Shades of Grey, released in February 2015, which catapulted her to international acclaim.

Beating out competition from Lucy Hale, Felicity Jones, Elizabeth Olsen, Danielle Panabaker, and Shailene Woodley for the coveted role, Johnson addressed questions about gender rights about her character, stating, "I'm proud of the film. I completely disagree with people who think Ana's weak. I think she's actually stronger than he is. Everything she does is her choice. And if I can be an advocate for women to do what they want to do with their bodies and not be ashamed of what they want, then I'm all for that." Despite widespread criticism of the trilogy, Johnson earned accolades for consistently delivering standout performances in the films.

Johnson at the 2016 BAFTA Awards

On the 15th of February in 2015, Johnson graced the stage of Saturday Night Live's 40th-anniversary special. She later took on hosting duties for SNL on February 28, 2015. In the same year, she teamed up again with Johnny Depp from their 21 Jump Street days, portraying the mother of his character's child in the feature film Black Mass. IndieWire's Jessica Kiang commended her ability to "make something of nothing" in her role.

Moving on to 2015, Johnson took the lead in Luca Guadagnino's thriller A Bigger Splash, sharing the screen with Tilda Swinton, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Ralph Fiennes. According to Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, Johnson showcased depth beyond mere seduction and noted that A Bigger Splash allowed her to be both funnier and sexier than her role in Fifty Shades of Grey. The same year marked the release of Cymbeline, a contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's play, where she starred alongside Ethan Hawke and Ed Harris.

In 2016, she played a central role in the comedy How to Be Single alongside Leslie Mann and her Date and Switch co-star Nicholas Braun. As a cherry on top, Johnson, alongside Zani Jones Mbayise, Vanessa Rubio, and Damon Wayans Jr., delivered a captivating cover of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" for the film's soundtrack. Her achievements in the industry were further recognized when she received an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2016.

Shifting gears, Johnson dove into dance training to prepare for her role in Luca Guadagnino's 2018 supernatural horror film Suspiria, a remake of Dario Argento's 1977 classic. In the film, she portrays an American dancer in Berlin who enrolls in an academy overseen by a coven of witches. IndieWire's David Ehrlich hailed Johnson's performance as "thrillingly unrepentant."

In 2018, she took center stage in Drew Goddard's stylish neo-noir thriller, "Bad Times at the El Royale," alongside Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, and Chris Hemsworth. Embodying the role of a free-spirited hippie residing at a quirky resort straddling the California-Nevada border, the film intricately weaves the lives of enigmatic characters with dubious pasts. Screen Rant applauded Johnson's portrayal, ranking it as the fourth-best in the movie, praising her subtle yet potent on-screen presence.

Venturing into the realm of psychological horror in 2019, Johnson headlined the unsettling film "Wounds," opposite Armie Hammer, directed by Babak Anvari. Adapted from the horror novella "The Visible Filth" by Nathan Ballingrud, the movie had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2019. Her journey continued with the critically acclaimed independent adventure, "The Peanut Butter Falcon," sharing the screen with Shia LaBeouf and Bruce Dern. Premiering at South by Southwest on March 9, 2019, the film showcased Johnson's versatility and garnered positive reviews.

Adding depth to her repertoire, she starred in the drama "Our Friend" in the same year, alongside Casey Affleck and Jason Segel, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The film, based on the real-life story of Nicole and Matthew Teague, revolves around their friend moving in to support them through Nicole's impending death. Johnson not only delivered a moving performance but also lent her voice to three covers for the film's soundtrack, including a rendition of Grateful Dead's "If I Had the World to Give." Critics praised her extraordinary intimacy, with Joe Morgenstern noting the courage, despair, and fury she infused into the character of Nicole. Gary Goldstein from the Los Angeles Times highlighted Johnson's impressive range, portraying everything from flirty and ebullient to stalwart, enraged, and resigned - a truly lovely performance.

2020-present: Professional Expansion

Johnson, the mastermind behind the establishment of TeaTime Pictures, partnered with former Netflix executive Ro Donnelly to nurture and bring to life various film and television endeavors. Venturing into the realm of directing, Johnson marked her directorial debut in 2020 by co-directing the music video for Coldplay's "Cry Cry Cry" alongside Cory Bailey. The video notably featured her romantic partner, Chris Martin.

Adding another feather to her cap, Johnson took on a leading role alongside Tracee Ellis Ross in the dramedy film "The High Note," released on May 29, 2020. While Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post praised her aesthetic appeal and subtle acting, others like Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times considered it to be among her most endearing performances.

In 2021, Johnson played a significant role in "The Lost Daughter," a film directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, adapted from the novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante. Later that year, Boat Rocker Media acquired a minority stake in Johnson's production company, TeaTime Pictures. The year 2022 saw Johnson starring in diverse projects, including a Netflix adaptation of Jane Austen's "Persuasion," "Am I OK?" by Stephanie Allyne and Tig Notaro, and the role of a young mother in "Cha Cha Real Smooth" by Cooper Raiff. Further showcasing her versatility, Johnson starred in and co-produced the film "Daddio," released in 2023.

Looking ahead, Johnson is set to portray Madame Web in a superhero film of the same name, set in Sony's Spider-Man Universe.

Personal Life

On a personal note, Johnson has navigated various relationships, including with Noah Gersh, actor Jordan Masterson, and Matthew Hitt, the lead vocalist of Drowners. Since October 2017, she has been in a relationship with Coldplay's vocalist, Chris Martin, and the two call Malibu, California, their home. Beyond her acting career, Johnson is recognized as a tattoo enthusiast and serves as a brand ambassador for the luxury fashion brand Gucci. In November 2020, she took on the roles of investor and co-creative director of Maude, a sexual wellness brand. In 2018, she collaborated with 300 women in Hollywood to establish the Time's Up initiative, aimed at protecting women from harassment and discrimination.

Interesting Facts

• In her youth, she hustled at a market, balancing the daily grind with her dreams.
• A stint in The Office marked a small yet noteworthy chapter in her acting journey.
• Childhood for her involved grappling with the whirlwind of Attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Controversy surrounded her Fifty Shades of Grey role, with critics questioning the strength of the female lead.
• Taking charge behind the scenes, she's set to produce Forever, Interrupted, embodying the role of a grieving widow.
• Naturally a blonde, she freely adopts the hues of black or brown to match her on-screen personas.
• Back in the day, she immersed herself in books as a voracious reader.
• Among her cherished companions is Riley Keough, the illustrious granddaughter of Elvis Presley.
• The name of her pet dog is Zeppelin. She loves it very much.
• Faced with a deluge of trolls, she once hit the delete button on her social media account.
• Her fashion sense earns her a spot among Hollywood's best-dressed women.
• At seventeen, battling addiction led her parents to guide her toward rehabilitation.
• Tattoos hold a special place in Dakota's heart.
• Despite the fame, she opts for a low-profile existence, letting her work speak for itself.
• Dance is another realm where she showcases her skill.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dakota Johnson has carved her niche as a renowned actress. Despite her illustrious lineage, she's etched her own identity in the competitive realm of the entertainment industry.