Hollywood actress Dakota Johnson has candidly shared the financial hardships she faced early in her career after her father, veteran actor Don Johnson, cut her off financially when she chose not to attend college. In a revealing interview with her Materialists co-star Pedro Pascal for Elle UK, Johnson detailed how this pivotal moment forced her to navigate the challenging path of establishing herself as an actress on her own.
Johnson, daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith and granddaughter of screen legend Tippi Hedren, explained that she only applied to one college, the prestigious Juilliard School, but was not accepted. “I didn’t get in and my dad cut me off because I didn’t go to college,” she said. This decision by her father, who had a family rule that financial support was contingent on staying in school, meant Johnson had to immediately start auditioning for roles to support herself. “I think I was 19 when I did The Social Network, and then little jobs and stuff after that,” she recalled.
Despite her Hollywood lineage, Johnson described those years as financially difficult. “For a couple of years it was hard to make money,” she admitted. “There were a few times when I’d go to the market and not have money in my bank account or not be able to pay rent, and I’d have to ask my parents for help.” She expressed gratitude for their assistance but was clear that the experience was far from easy. “It certainly was not fun. The auditioning process, as you know, is the f—ing worst,” Johnson said.
Johnson also reflected on why college was never appealing to her. She found the idea of being confined to a small school environment stifling, especially after growing up traveling extensively and being exposed to diverse cultures. “Juilliard felt so small – the idea of being in a classroom with the same group of people, and figuring out how to be a human in that environment, after growing up surrounded by so many different kinds of people and immersed in different cultures through traveling all over… It just felt really wrong to lock myself in one place,” she explained.
Her father, Don Johnson, has publicly discussed the family’s strict policy regarding education and financial support. On Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2021, he recounted how he warned Dakota that if she didn’t go to college, she would be off the family payroll. “And she says, ‘Don’t you worry about it,'” Don recalled. “Three weeks later she had nailed down that part in David Fincher’s The Social Network, and the rest is, shall we say, cinema history”.
Since those early struggles, Dakota Johnson has built a successful acting career, with breakthrough roles including the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. She continues to work on high-profile projects, such as the upcoming romantic drama Materialists, alongside Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, directed by Oscar nominee Celine Song. The film is set for release on June 13.
Johnson’s story highlights the reality behind Hollywood success, showing that even those born into famous families can face significant obstacles. Her journey from financial uncertainty to stardom underscores her determination and resilience in an industry known for its fierce competition and unpredictability.
