Dakota Fanning, born Hannah Dakota Fanning on February 23, 1994, in Conyers, Georgia, is an American actress and model who rose to prominence as a child star.
Known for her precocious talent and emotional depth, she began acting at age five, quickly gaining attention for her ability to portray complex characters with authenticity.
Fanning’s early career was marked by her breakout role in I Am Sam (2001), where she played the daughter of a mentally challenged father, earning her critical acclaim and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination at just seven years old.
Over the years, she transitioned seamlessly from child roles to more mature performances, establishing herself as a versatile actress in both film and television.
Siblings
Dakota has one younger sister, Elle Fanning, born Mary Elle Fanning on April 9, 1998, also in Conyers, Georgia.
Like Dakota, Elle is an accomplished actress, known for roles in films such as Super 8 (2011), Maleficent (2014), and The Neon Demon (2016).
Their only notable collaboration was in I Am Sam, where Elle, at age two, played a younger version of Dakota’s character, Lucy Diamond Dawson.
Both sisters were encouraged by their parents, Steven Fanning, a former minor league baseball player turned electronics salesman, and Heather Joy Arrington, a former tennis player, to pursue their creative interests.
While Dakota and Elle have followed similar career paths, they have carved out distinct identities in Hollywood, with Elle leaning into more avant-garde and fantasy-driven projects compared to Dakota’s broader range of dramatic roles.
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Career
Fanning’s career spans over two decades, beginning with small television appearances in shows like ER and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation at age five.
Her role in I Am Sam opposite Sean Penn catapulted her to fame, showcasing her ability to hold her own alongside seasoned actors.
She continued to build an impressive resume with films like Man on Fire (2004), where she starred opposite Denzel Washington, and War of the Worlds (2005) with Tom Cruise, demonstrating her knack for intense, emotional performances.
As a teenager, she took on diverse roles in projects like The Twilight Saga (2009–2012), playing the menacing Volturi member Jane, and The Runaways (2010), where she portrayed Cherie Currie alongside Kristen Stewart.
Fanning’s transition to adult roles was marked by her work in independent films like Please Stand By (2017) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), where she played Manson Family member Squeaky Fromme.
In recent years, she has expanded into television, starring in series such as The Alienist (2018–2020) and The First Lady (2022), while also serving as a producer on projects like The Bell Jar, an adaptation she has been developing.
Accolades
Fanning’s talent has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations throughout her career.
At age seven, she became the youngest nominee for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in I Am Sam, a testament to her early impact.
She won a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film for the same role and went on to receive multiple Young Artist Award nominations for subsequent projects like Taken (2002) and Man on Fire (2004).
In 2005, she earned a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for War of the Worlds.
Her portrayal of Cherie Currie in The Runaways garnered her a nomination for a Teen Choice Award, reflecting her appeal to younger audiences.
Beyond individual accolades, Fanning has been honored with broader recognition, such as being named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in 2016 for her contributions to entertainment.
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