Dakota Mayi Johnson was born on October 4, 1989, in Austin, Texas, to actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. She is the granddaughter of actress Tippi Hedren. Johnson spent her childhood primarily in Los Angeles, Colorado, and Aspen. She briefly pursued modeling before focusing on acting.
Johnson made her film debut at the age of 10 in Crazy in Alabama (1999), which starred her mother and was directed by her then-stepfather, Antonio Banderas. After graduating high school, she signed with the William Morris Agency and resumed her acting career.
Johnson gained widespread recognition for her role as Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades film series (2015–2018), based on the novels by E. L. James. While the films received mixed critical reception, they achieved significant commercial success.
Following the Fifty Shades trilogy, Johnson has diversified her roles, demonstrating her range as an actress. She has starred in a variety of genres, including independent films, thrillers, and comedies. Some of her critically acclaimed performances include roles in:
Johnson has also worked as a producer. In 2020, she co-founded the production company TeaTime Pictures, with Ro Donnelly. The company focuses on developing and producing film and television projects.
Johnson received a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2016.