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Who Is Dakota Johnson?
Dakota Johnson is an accomplished actress, known for her versatility and strong screen presence. Born into a family of actors—her parents being Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith—she made her film debut alongside her mother in Crazy in Alabama (1999). After completing high school, Johnson began to build her career with roles in films such as The Social Network and 21 Jump Street. However, it was her portrayal of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey film series that brought her widespread recognition. Since then, she has appeared in notable films like Black Mass and The Peanut Butter Falcon, solidifying her place in the industry.
Early Life
Dakota Mayi Johnson was born on October 4, 1989, in Austin, Texas, into a family deeply rooted in Hollywood. Her parents, Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, were prominent figures in the entertainment industry during the 1980s, and her maternal grandmother is the renowned actress Tippi Hedren. Johnson also had a familial connection to Spanish actor Antonio Banderas, who was her stepfather during his marriage to her mother, which lasted until their divorce in 2015.
Although Johnson spent much of her early childhood in Colorado, she later attended schools in Monterey and Santa Monica, California. A passionate dancer during her youth, she initially pursued a career in modeling before ultimately transitioning into acting.
Film and Television Career
From “Crazy in Alabama” to “21 Jump Street”
Dakota Johnson made her film debut in 1999 at the age of nine, appearing alongside her mother, Melanie Griffith, in Crazy in Alabama. In 2006, she was honored as Miss Golden Globe. Following her high school graduation, Johnson’s career gained momentum with roles in several notable films, including The Social Network (2010), Beastly (2011), The Five-Year Engagement (2012), and 21 Jump Street (2012), among others.
Ben and Kate
Johnson had a short tenure in television, where she starred as the lead in the 2012 comedy Ben and Kate. However, the series was canceled after one season. In 2013, she made an appearance in the series finale of The Office, portraying a new hire.
‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and Sequels
Dakota Johnson made a notable return to the big screen with her role as Anastasia ‘Ana’ Steele in the 2015 film Fifty Shades of Grey. She continued to portray Ana in the subsequent sequels, Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018).
A Bigger Splash, Black Mass, How to Be Single
Capitalizing on the success of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” Dakota Johnson has continued to diversify her career. In 2015, she appeared in the thriller A Bigger Splash alongside Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, and also took on a role in the biographical crime drama Black Mass, starring opposite Johnny Depp. Although she had predominantly been recognized for her dramatic roles, Johnson expanded her range in 2016 with a foray into comedy in How to Be Single.
Film Career
In 2018, Johnson leveraged her dance background to portray an American ballet dancer in the remake of the 1977 Italian horror film Suspiria. The following year, she appeared in the horror film Wounds and the poignant drama The Friend. Additionally, she garnered acclaim for her role in the comedy-drama The Peanut Butter Falcon, where she played a caretaker to a young man with Down syndrome and aspirations in professional wrestling.
Personal Life
Johnson has six half-siblings: four from her father’s side and two from her mother’s side. Since 2017, she has been linked to Chris Martin, the lead vocalist of Coldplay. Her past relationships include musician Noah Gersh and actor Jordan Masterson.