Dakota Johnson Biography
Dakota Johnson, a powerhouse in the world of film and TV, is making waves on her own terms. Hailing from Hollywood royalty, she's not just riding on their fame; she's carving her own path. You've seen her sizzle in the Fifty Shades saga and shine in The Social Network, proving she's got the chops.
Below, we have a complete story of her life, including those big-name parents of hers, how she got her start in acting, her net worth, and a whole lot more.
Dakota Johnson's Early Life And Education
Dakota Johnson's journey began on October 4, 1989, in Austin, Texas, where entertainment was practically in her DNA. With actress Melanie Griffith as her mother and actor Don Johnson as her father, showbiz was the backdrop of her childhood.
Growing up in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Dakota experienced the industry's highs and lows early on. Her formative years in Colorado set the stage, attending the Aspen Community School before making a move to Santa Monica, California.
Post-high school, Johnson opted for an unconventional educational path, joining the innovative New Roads School in Santa Monica. This decision reflected her desire for a creative approach to learning, shaping her into the independent and original thinker that still contributes to her success today.
Career
Dakota Johnson's journey into acting kicked off with some smaller gigs in both film and TV, setting the stage for her ascent. From stepping into the spotlight in films like Crazy in Alabama (1999), directed by her stepfather Antonio Banderas, to a memorable role in The Social Network (2010), as Fugazy, she was soaking up the industry's vibes and fine-tuning her talents.
As her career gained traction, Dakota played a mix of supporting and lead roles, rocking both indie gems and mainstream hits.
The Five-Year Engagement (2012), the hilarious 21 Jump Street (2012), and the adrenaline-pumping Need for Speed (2014) – all to bring us up to 2015.
What was 2015? Well, that's when she stepped into the shoes of Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey (2015), based on E.L. James' bestseller. At the time, Dakota had no idea that the film would be such a colossal success and drop her into the center of the limelight. She owned the role through the sequels, Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018), as well. You wouldn't know it if you watched, but Johnson said filming it was an absolute nightmare.
| The Fifty Shades of Grey Franchise | Year | Box Office Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Fifty Shades of Grey | 2015 | $571 Million |
| Fifty Shades Darker | 2017 | $381 Million |
| Fifty Shades Freed | 2018 | $371 Million |
Source: The Numbers
Beyond the Fifty Shades frenzy, Dakota continued flexing her acting muscles. From the intense and transformative performance in the horror thriller Suspiria (2018) alongside Tilda Swinton to showcasing her comedic ability in How to Be Single (2016) and Bad Times at the El Royale (2018), she proved there's no genre she can't conquer.
Speaking of genres, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is one all of its own. One that Dakota Johnson is taking on in 2024, as Madame Web.
Personal Life
Dakota Johnson has had a few relationships in the spotlight. She has been linked to Matthew Hitt and Jamie Dornan. As well as dating Jordan Masterson and Cara Delevigne. However, in 2017, she started a relationship with Gwenyth Paltrow's ex-husband and Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin.
Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Dakota Johnson has a net worth of $14 million. Her part in Fifty Shades earned her quite a bit. She started at $250,000 for the first and then struck two seven figure deals for the next two.
Activism
Johnson is an advocate for women's rights and environmental conservation. She also hosted a fundraising event with her mother in Aspen to support Action in Africa, which aims to empower the people in Uganda by focusing on education and community development.
