James Righton, Keira Knightley’s husband, is seeing renewed public interest as readers search for details about his career, family life, and long-running marriage to the Oscar-nominated actor.
The British musician, 42, has spent years building a steady career in music and film while keeping his personal life largely private. Righton first gained recognition as a member of Klaxons, whose debut album won the 2007 Mercury Prize, reported by The Independent.
Here are five things to know about James Righton.
James Righton rose to fame with Klaxons
GettyRighton first became known as a member of the British band Klaxons, where he played keyboards and contributed vocals. The group broke out in the mid-2000s and became part of the UK’s indie music wave. Their debut album “Myths of the Near Future” won the Mercury Prize in 2007, placing the band at the center of that era’s music scene.
He later reflected on that period in an interview with The Independent, saying the band had “become some kind of a karaoke show or a travelling circus.”
He added, “I didn’t know if I could do it, or wanted to do it.”
Righton made those comments while discussing his decision to step away from Klaxons and move into solo music, including his album “The Performer,” before later working on film and television scores.
James Righton built a solo career after the band ended
GettyAfter Klaxons stepped back, Righton moved into solo work and released music under his own name. His album “The Performer” marked a more personal direction, with a stripped-down sound compared to his earlier band work.
He followed that with his second solo album “Jim, I’m Still Here” in 2022, released through the Soulwax-run label “DEEWEE”.
The record marked his continued work as a solo artist after Klaxons, with Righton promoting it through his official music pages and live appearances.
James Righton now composes for film and TV
Righton has moved into screen work in recent years, with verified credits across film and television. He composed the score for the film “I’ll Be Right There,” which he confirmed in an April 25, 2025 post on Instagram.
“Very pleased to say the soundtrack I made for “I’ll Be Right There” is now available to stream at all the usual streaming places,” Righton wrote, adding that he had “an amazing, memorable time working on this really lovely film.”
He is also credited on the BBC series Daddy Issues, where he created original music for the show, listed by Apple music.
His recent work has also included public appearances tied to composition. Serpentine Galleries listed Righton as part of its January 11, 2026 “House of Music: Sound Service” program, identifying him as a composer working in film and television.
James Righton met Keira Knightley through a mutual friend
GettyRighton and Knightley met in 2011 through a mutual friend at a small gathering. The meeting was informal and not tied to the film or music industry.
According to People, Knightley had not followed his band at the time. Their relationship developed privately, with both choosing to avoid heavy media exposure early on.
Righton has rarely spoken about their relationship, but one of his few public comments came in an interview with The Independent, where he said, “I’ve married the least movie star person possible,” describing Knightley in a grounded way.
James Righton and Keira Knightleymarriage has stayed private
GettyThe couple married in May 2013 in a small ceremony in the south of France. The event included close friends and family and stayed out of the public spotlight.
They have now been married for more than 12 years. According to People, they marked that milestone in 2025 and continue to keep their relationship low-key.
Knightley has shared occasional stories about their life together. In a 2025 InStyle interview, Knightley said “He just couldn’t cook, all he ate was cheese on toast. I was like, ‘This is not going to work.”
She said when they first met and mostly ate simple meals like cheese on toast. She added that she and her friends encouraged him to try new food over time.
The couple shares two daughters, Edie and Delilah, and has taken clear steps to keep them out of public view. People reported that both parents have consistently avoided sharing details about their children in interviews or online.
