Dakota Fanning Bio
Hannah Dakota Fanning (born February 23, 1994) is an American actress. Fanning is known for her roles in blockbuster films and independent features, both as a child actor and as an adult. Her accolades include nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Fanning received recognition at the age of seven for starring in the drama film I Am Sam (2001), being nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role and becoming the youngest nominee in SAG history. She then starred in the miniseries Taken (2002), and in the films Uptown Girls (2003), Man on Fire (2004), War of the Worlds (2005), Charlotte’s Web (2006), and The Secret Life of Bees (2008). She transitioned to mature roles with The Twilight Saga (2009–2012) and the independent films The Runaways (2010) and a co-starring role in Night Moves (2013). Fanning has appeared in films such as Ocean’s 8 (2018), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and The Equalizer 3 (2023). Since 2018, she has starred in television series The Alienist (2018), The First Lady (2022), and The Perfect Couple (2024). She has also had a starring role in The Watchers (2024) and received renewed critical recognition for the miniseries Ripley in the same year, earning nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie nomination.
Early Life and Background
Hannah Dakota Fanning was born on February 23, 1994, in Conyers, Georgia. She attended a Montessori School in Covington. Her mother, Heather Joy (née Arrington), played tennis professionally and her father, Steven J. Fanning, played minor league baseball and later worked as an electronics salesman in Los Angeles. Dakota is the elder sister of actress Elle Fanning; both of them use their middle names as their given names due to family tradition. They grew up as Southern Baptists. Fanning first acted at the Towne Lake Arts Center in Woodstock, Georgia, starring in small plays at the age of five. In 1999, she began her professional acting career, appearing in a Tide television commercial. Her first significant acting job was a guest role in the NBC primetime drama ER. Fanning then had several guest roles on television series, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Practice, and Spin City.
Path to Hollywood
In 2001, Fanning was chosen to star opposite Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer in the film I Am Sam, as the daughter of a mentally challenged man who is fighting for child custody. Her role in the film made Fanning the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, being seven years of age at the time. She also won the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for her performance. In 2002, director Steven Spielberg cast Fanning in the lead child role of Allison “Allie” Clarke/Keys in the science-fiction miniseries Taken. By this time, she had received positive notices from several film critics. In the same year, Fanning appeared in three films: as a kidnapping victim in Trapped, as the young version of Reese Witherspoon’s character in Sweet Home Alabama, and as Katie in Hansel and Gretel.
Dakota Fanning Career
Early Career (1999–2005)
In 2004, Fanning appeared in Man on Fire as Pita, a nine-year-old who wins over the heart of a retired mercenary hired to protect her from kidnappers. Roger Ebert praised Fanning’s performance, stating she creates a heart-winning character. Fanning’s career continued to flourish with roles in films such as War of the Worlds, Charlotte’s Web, and The Secret Life of Bees. In 2006, at the age of 12, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, becoming the youngest member in the academy’s history.
Breakthrough (2006–2012)
Fanning’s breakthrough came with her role in the Twilight Saga, where she played Jane, a member of the Volturi Guard. She reprised this role in Eclipse and New Moon, which solidified her status as a leading actress in Hollywood. In 2010, she starred in The Runaways, portraying Cherie Currie, the lead singer of the band. This role showcased her ability to transition into more mature characters.
Notable Works and Milestones
Dakota Fanning’s signature works include I Am Sam, The Twilight Saga, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Her performances have earned her numerous accolades, including nominations for prestigious awards.
Dakota Fanning Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Dakota Fanning has received several nominations for her outstanding performances, including nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Dakota Fanning Awards Won
Dakota Fanning has won several awards throughout her career, including the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for her role in I Am Sam.
Dakota Fanning Family
Dakota Fanning is the elder sister of actress Elle Fanning. Their family has a background in sports and media, with their mother being a professional tennis player and their aunt being a former ESPN reporter.
Personal Life
In June 2011, Fanning graduated from Campbell Hall School in Studio City, California, where she participated on the varsity spirit cheerleading squad and was twice voted homecoming queen. From 2011 to 2014, she attended the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University, majoring in women’s studies, with a focus on the portrayal of women in film and culture.
