Dakota Johnson was born in 1989. Ten years later, hanging out with mom on the set of the dark comedy, ‘Crazy in Alabama’ – a film directed by Antonio Banderas about an eccentric woman who commits a serious crime and moves to Hollywood – is where Dakota made her movie debut.
Though they allowed her to play the role, her parents encouraged her to finish high school before auditioning for more roles. Once she graduated high school, she landed a small part in ‘The Social Network’. By 2016, she earned a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination.
Melanie and Don’s Marriage Flops (again)
The Hazelden Treatment Center in Minnesota did Mel a lot of good. She contacted Don Johnson before entering the facility, and he waited for her until she was released. Their love was deep and profound, but they probably have too much in common. “You have to understand that we have a tie, and I love him,” she said. “But just because you love someone doesn’t necessarily mean that you can live with them.”
The couple stayed married until 1996, over six years instead of six months. Apparently, however, Melanie stopped tolerating rumors of his and his substance abuse problems also became untenable. But then she took him back, again, after he sobered up. It didn’t last long.
A Winning Role
During the late 1990s, Melanie was handed a part that she shined in. In 'Another Day in Paradise', she played an addict who with another junkie spirals into a life of crime. Her work in the independent film brought strong reviews, some critics raved it was the best performance of her career.
It also brought another role, 'RKO 281' (1999), which earned her a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress. While her career was on a comeback track, behind the scenes she was developing a dependency on painkillers.
A Debut on Broadway
Getting into the 2000s, with performances in films like 'Shade' (2003) and 'The Night We Called It a Day' (2003) flatlining at the box office, offers for television and film trickled to nothing. Instead of giving up, Mel reinvented herself by turning to the stage.
In 2003, she hit the stage on Broadway and packed the place with her performance as the villainous Roxie Hart in 'Chicago'. One New York Times theater critic raved, “Ms. Griffith is a sensational Roxie, possibly the most convincing I have seen. Vultures who were expecting to see Ms. Griffith stumble . . . will have to look elsewhere.”
The Early 2000s Slump
'Shade' and 'The Night We Called It a Day' were not the only losers. 'Crazy in Alabama' also fell flat. The TV series 'Me & George' (1998) didn’t even make it to television. And, in 2000, 'Cecil B. DeMented' and 'Forever Lulu' nosedived at the box office.
Her performance in these two independent films earned her a nomination for a Golden Raspberry Award for worst actress. Her career took a solid hit, as did her reputation as an actress. Finding roles became so difficult that she turned to Broadway.