Born on October 4, 1989, in Austin, Texas, Dakota Mayi Johnson inherited her acting talent from her parents, Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. Her maternal grandparents are actress Tippi Hedren and former child actor turned advertising executive Peter Griffith, while actresses Tracy Griffith and production designer Clay A. Griffin are her half-aunts. Actor Antonio Banderas was her former stepfather. Dakota also has six half-siblings, with four from her father’s lineage and two from her mother’s.

Johnson’s education included Aspen Community School in Colorado, followed by a year at Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California, before completing high school at New Roads School in Santa Monica. A childhood passion for dance led to an interest in modeling at age 12, sparked by a Teen Vogue photoshoot with other celebrity children.

Dakota Mayi Johnson, recognized primarily for her portrayal of Anastasia Steele in the “Fifty Shades” film trilogy, initially faced discouragement from her acting parents, Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, regarding a career in the field. Despite this, she made her debut in a supporting role in “Crazy in Alabama” (1999), a film starring her mother and directed by her former stepfather, Antonio Banderas.

As an adult, Johnson appeared in a series of supporting roles, including appearances in “The Social Network” (2010), “Beastly” (2011), “Goats” (2012), “21 Jump Street” (2012), “The Five-Year Engagement” (2012), “Date and Switch” (2014), and “Need for Speed” (2014). She also took on a supporting role in the indie film “For Ellen” (2012), which premiered at Sundance and Berlin.

Her breakthrough came with the lead role of Anastasia Steele in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” which achieved significant global success. She reprised the role in the sequels, “Fifty Shades Darker” (2017) and “Fifty Shades Freed” (2018). Prior to this, Johnson played Imogen in “Cymbeline” (2014), a Shakespeare adaptation.

Following her role in “Chloe and Theo” (2015), Johnson was cast in “Black Mass” (2015), a crime biopic. She also co-starred in “A Bigger Splash” (2015), premiering at the Venice Film Festival alongside Ralph Fiennes, Mathias Schoenaerts, and Tilda Swinton.

Johnson starred in the rom-com “How to Be Single” (2016), followed by a leading role in the remake of “Suspiria” (2018), presented at the Venice Film Festival. She was also featured in “Bad Times at the El Royale” (2018).

In 2019, Johnson co-starred in the indie film “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which premiered at South by Southwest. She also starred in “Our Friend” (2019), presented at the Toronto Film Festival.

Johnson played herself in the mockumentary “The Nowhere Inn” (2020), which premiered at Sundance. She later co-starred in “The High Note” (2020).

In “The Lost Daughter” (2021), Johnson delivered a notable performance, contributing to the film’s three Oscar nominations. She also both starred in and produced the streaming film “Am I OK?” (2022) and produced and starred in “Cha Cha Real Smooth” (2022), which was a hit at Sundance.

Johnson then starred in a modernized adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” (2022). She also narrated and executive produced the documentary “The Disappearance of Shere Hite” (2023).

Johnson co-starred in the drama “Daddio” (2023), which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and was subsequently acquired by Sony Pictures Classics for a 2024 release. She transitioned into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the lead role in “Madame Web” (2024).

Johnson joined the cast of the comedy “Splitsville” (2025), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and co-starred in the romantic comedy “Materialists” (2025).

She then moved into the psychological thriller genre, co-starring in “Verity” (2026).