Hollywood’s Top Young Actresses
2. Keira Knightley
Yes, she does look like Natalie Portman. So much so that she played Portman’s double in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. But in many respects she’s surpassed Portman as a movie star. The 23 year old British star has done a magnificent job of mixing summer blockbusters with smaller, serious films. Plus, she’s already garnered one Academy Award nomination, and has received critical acclaim for many of her other roles.
Breakout Role: Bend it Like Beckham, the 2002 sleeper hit about the world of women’s soccer where Knightley plays the best friend and teammate of Parminder Nagra’s Jess character.
Biggest Hit: The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, where she plays Elizabeth Swann, a high society lady who has a fascination with pirates in the summer blockbuster trilogy.
Unappreciated Gem: The Jacket, a mindbending thriller where Knightley plays Adrien Brody’s love interest. Love Actually is also a great nominee here, except that it’s pretty well appreciated and Knightley’s role is fairly minimal.
Upcoming Feature: Last Night, a modern romantic drama about a married couple in which she will co-star with Eva Mendes, Sam Worthington, and Guillaume Canet.
