Dakota Johnson is an American actress, producer, and model, known for her wide-ranging roles from major blockbusters to critically acclaimed independent films. As the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, she grew up in the world of Hollywood and rose to international stardom with her leading role in the Fifty Shades film series. Since then, she has cultivated a reputation for her versatile performances, understated charm, and work as a producer.

Name: Dakota Mayi Johnson

Date of Birth: October 4, 1989

Height: 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)

Place of Birth: Austin, Texas, U.S.

Family:

• Parents: Don Johnson (father) and Melanie Griffith (mother).
• Partner: Chris Martin (engaged in 2024). She has been in a relationship with the Coldplay frontman since 2017.
• Children: None
• Siblings: She has six half-siblings: Alexander Bauer and Stella Banderas from her mother’s side, and Jesse, Grace, Jasper, and Deacon Johnson from her father’s side.
• Relatives: Her maternal grandmother is classic Hollywood actress Tippi Hedren. Her former stepfather is actor Antonio Banderas.

Profession: Actress, producer, model.

Nationality: American

Religion: She has not publicly discussed her religious beliefs.

College or University Attended: Johnson did not attend college, choosing to pursue her acting career after high school.

Biography and What Famous For:

Born into a prominent Hollywood family, Dakota Johnson spent her childhood on film sets around the world. She made her film debut at age ten with a minor role in Crazy in Alabama (1999), a film directed by her then-stepfather Antonio Banderas and starring her mother. After graduating from high school, she began her career in earnest, landing a small but memorable part as a one-night-stand to Justin Timberlake’s character in the critically acclaimed film The Social Network (2010).

Her major breakthrough came when she was cast as Anastasia Steele in the film adaptation of the bestselling novel Fifty Shades of Grey (2015). The film was a massive box office success that catapulted her to global fame. She reprised the role in its two sequels, Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018), solidifying her status as a leading actress.

While the Fifty Shades series made her a household name, Johnson actively sought out diverse roles in independent and dramatic films to showcase her range. Her notable performances include a seductive young woman in the psychological drama A Bigger Splash (2015), a tormented dancer in the supernatural horror film Suspiria (2018), and a compassionate caretaker in the heartwarming adventure The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019). Her nuanced performance in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, The Lost Daughter (2021), earned her further critical acclaim.

In 2019, Johnson co-founded the production company TeaTime Pictures to create and develop projects. She has since produced and starred in films like Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022) and Daddio (2024), demonstrating her commitment to telling unique and character-driven stories.

Dakota Johnson is famous for her iconic role as Anastasia Steele, her lineage as Hollywood royalty, her distinctively understated acting style, and her successful career pivot towards more complex roles in both independent and studio films.

Have participated:

Films (Selected):

• The Social Network (2010)
• 21 Jump Street (2012)
• Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
• Black Mass (2015)
• A Bigger Splash (2015)
• How to Be Single (2016)
• Fifty Shades Darker (2017)
• Suspiria (2018)
• Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
• Fifty Shades Freed (2018)
• The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
• The High Note (2020)
• The Lost Daughter (2021)
• Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022, also producer)
• Persuasion (2022)
• Madame Web (2024)
• Daddio (2024, also producer)

Television:

• Ben and Kate (2012–2013)
• The Office (2013, guest appearance in finale)
• Saturday Night Live (Host, 2015 & 2024)

Awards (Selected):

• People’s Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress (for Fifty Shades of Grey, 2016)
• Robert Altman Award at the Independent Spirit Awards (as part of the ensemble cast for Suspiria, 2019)
• Nominated – BAFTA Rising Star Award (2016)