Hannah Dakota Fanning

Hannah Dakota Fanning[1] (born February 23, 1994), better known as Dakota Fanning, is an American actress. Fanning's breakthrough performance was in I Am Sam in 2001. As a child actress, she appeared in high-profile films such as Man on Fire, War of the Worlds, and Charlotte's Web. Fanning began the transition to more adult roles with Hounddog and The Secret Life of Bees. Recent films have included The Twilight Saga, the fantasy/horror animated children's movie Coraline, and The Runaways. She has won numerous awards and is the youngest nominee for a Screen Actors Guild

Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia. Her mother, Heather Joy (née Arrington), played tennis professionally, and her father, Steven J. Fanning, played minor league baseball, and works as an electronics salesman in Los Angeles.[2][3] Her maternal grandfather was former American football player, Rick Arrington, and her aunt is former ESPN reporter Jill Arrington.[4] Dakota is the elder sister of Elle Fanning, also an actress.
Fanning has German and Irish ancestry (her paternal grandmother was born in Ludwigshafen, Germany).[5] She and her family are Southern Baptist.[6] In June 2011, she graduated from Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood, California,[7] where she participated on the varsity spirit cheerleading squad and was voted homecoming queen.[8][9] As of September 2011, she attends New York University.[10]
[edit]Acting career

[edit]Early years
Fanning began acting at the age of five after appearing on a Tide commercial. Her first significant acting job was a guest role in the NBC prime-time drama ER, which remains one of her favorite roles ("I played a car accident victim who has leukemia. I got to wear a neck brace and nose tubes for the two days I worked.").[11]
Fanning subsequently had several guest roles on established television series, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Practice, and Spin City. She also portrayed the title characters of Ally McBeal and The Ellen Show as young girls. In 2001, Fanning was chosen to star opposite Sean Penn in the movie I Am Sam, the story of a mentally challenged man who fights for the custody of his daughter (played by Fanning).
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.[12] She also won the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for her performance.[13]
[edit]2002–2003
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 by several film critics, including Tom Shales of The Washington Post, who wrote that Fanning "has the perfect sort of otherworldly look about her, an enchanting young actress called upon ... to carry a great weight."[14]
In the same year, Fanning appeared in three films: as a kidnap victim who proves to be more than her abductors bargained for in Trapped, as the young version of Reese Witherspoon's character in Sweet Home Alabama, and as Katie in the movie Hansel and Gretel.
Fanning was featured even more prominently in two films released in 2003: playing the uptight child to an immature nanny played by Brittany Murphy in Uptown Girls and as Sally in The Cat in the Hat.
Fanning did voice-over work for four animated projects during this period, including voicing Satsuki in Disney's English language release of My Neighbor Totoro, a little girl in the Fox series Family Guy, and a young Wonder Woman in an episode of Cartoon Network's Justice League.
[edit]2004–2005


Fanning at the London premiere of War of the Worlds, June 2005
In 2004, Fanning appeared in Man on Fire as Pita, a nine-year-old who wins over the heart of a retired mercenary (Denzel Washington) hired to protect her from kidnappers. Roger Ebert wrote that Fanning "is a pro at only 10 years old, and creates a heart-winning character."[15]
Hide and Seek was her first release in 2005, opposite Robert De Niro. The film was generally panned, and critic Chuck Wilson called it "a fascinating meeting of equals – if the child star [Fanning] challenged the master [De Niro] to a game of stare-down, the legend might very well blink first."[16] Fanning voiced Lilo (succeeding Daveigh Chase) in the direct-to-video film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch. She also had a small part in the Rodrigo García film Nine Lives (released in October 2005), in which she shared an unbroken nine-minute scene with actress Glenn Close, who had her own praise for Fanning: "She's definitely an old soul. She's one of those gifted people that come along every now and then."[17] Fanning also recorded voice work for Coraline during this time.[18]
Fanning completed filming on Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (opposite Kurt Russell) in late October 2004. Russell declared he was astonished by his co-star's performance in the film. Russell, 54, who plays her father in the movie, says, "I guarantee you, (Dakota) is the best actress I will work with in my entire career."[19] Kris Kristofferson, who plays her character's grandfather in the movie, said that she's like Bette Davis reincarnated.[20]
While promoting her role in Dreamer, Fanning became a registered member of Girl Scouts of the USA at a special ceremony, which was followed by a screening of the film for members of the Girl Scouts of the San Fernando Valley Council.[21]
She then went directly to the set of War of the Worlds, starring alongside Tom Cruise. Released in reverse order (War in June 2005 and Dreamer in the following October), both films were critical successes. War director Steven Spielberg praised "how quickly she understands the situation in a sequence, how quickly she sizes it up, measures it up and how she would really react in a real situation."[22]
After filming was completed on War of the Worlds, Fanning moved straight to another film without a break: Charlotte's Web, which she finished filming in May 2005 in Australia. Producer Jordan Kerner said, "...when she was so caught up in War of the Worlds, we had to end up going on a search for other young actresses. They would have been nothing compared to her."[23]
[edit]2006–2007


Fanning in January, 2009
Over the summer of 2006, Fanning worked on the film Hounddog, described in press reports as a "dark story of abuse, violence and Elvis Presley adulation in the rural South."[24] Fanning's parents have been criticized for allowing her to film a scene in which her character is raped. However, in response, Fanning said that "It's not really happening," to Reuters. "It's a movie, and it's called acting."[25]
In 2006, at the age of twelve, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, becoming the youngest member in the Academy's history.[26] Her income for 2006 was $4 million, earning her the fourth place in Forbes Magazine's list of top-earning stars aged under 21.[27]
In March and April 2007, she filmed Fragments – Winged Creatures alongside Kate Beckinsale, Guy Pearce, Josh Hutcherson, and Academy Award winners Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson. She plays Anne Hagen, a girl who witnesses her father's murder and who turns to religion in the aftermath.
In July 2007, Fanning filmed for three days a short film titled Cutlass, one of Glamour's "Reel Moments" based on readers' personal essays. Cutlass was directed by Kate Hudson.
From September to December 2007, Fanning filmed Push, which centers on a group of young American expatriates with telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities who hide from a U.S. government agency in Hong Kong and band together to try to escape the control of the division.[28] Fanning played Cassie Holmes, a 13-year-old psychic.
[edit]2008–2009
In January 2008, Fanning began filming the movie adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees, a novel by Sue Monk Kidd.[29] Set in South Carolina in 1964, the story centers on Lily Owens (Fanning), who escapes her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father by running away with her caregiver and only friend (played by Jennifer Hudson) to a South Carolina town where they are taken in by an eccentric trio of beekeeping sisters (played by Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo, and Alicia Keys). Her movies Coraline and Push were released on the same day, February 6, 2009.
Fanning played Jane, a member of the Volturi Guard, in New Moon and reprised the role in Eclipse, based on novels by Stephenie Meyer.[30] New Moon was released on November 20, 2009, and Eclipse was released on June 30, 2010.
[edit]2010–present
In 2010, she starred in the movie The Runaways, alongside Kristen Stewart, Stella Maeve, and Scout Taylor-Compton, where she played Cherie Currie, the lead singer of the band. In late 2010/early 2011, Fanning filmed Breaking Dawn, reprising the role of Jane.[31]
In December 2010, it was announced that Fanning would not be filming any lead roles until after she finishes high school in 2011.[32]
Fanning's voice was heard in Rise, a documentary film commissioned by U. S. Figure Skating to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the crash of Sabena Flight 548 which resulted in the loss of the entire American team and subsequent cancellation of the 1961 World Figure Skating Championships. She read a poem written by US national champion Laurence Owen (who died in the crash) that was said to be an eerie premonition of the afterlife.
In February/March 2011 she has played Annie James in "The Motel Life", due to be released in mid-2012.
During the summer of 2011 she played Tessa in Now Is Good. That same year Fanning became the face of Marc Jacobs’ Oh, Lola! perfume campaign, but the ad was banned in the U.K. as the Advertising Standards Authority judged that "the ad could be seen to sexualize a child."[33][34][35]
In the fall of 2011 Dakota Fanning played the starring role in Effie, directed by Richard Laxton, written and co-starred by Emma Thompson, with Greg Wise, Tom Sturridge, Robbie Coltrane, Julie Walters, Derek Jacobi and Claudia Cardinale.
On Jan. 24 2012 it was reported that Dakota Fanning has signed to be represented by William Morris Endeavor,[36] thus ending a 10-year-plus relation with Osbrink Talent Agency.[37]
[edit]Filmography

Film and television mini-series
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Father Xmas Clairee Short film
Tomcats Little Girl in Park
I Am Sam Lucy Diamond Dawson Elle Fanning plays the younger version of Lucy;
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Actress; Satellite Award for Outstanding New Talent; Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Actress Age Ten or Under;
Nominated: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Performer
2002 Taken Allie Keys Television miniseries;
Elle plays the younger version of Allie;
Nominated: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Special – Leading Young Actress, Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series
Trapped Abigail "Abbie" Jennings
Sweet Home Alabama Young Melanie
Hansel and Gretel Katie
2003 Uptown Girls Lorraine "Ray" Schleine
The Cat in the Hat Sally Walden Nominated: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Actress
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time Preschool Kim Voice
2004 Man on Fire Lupita "Pita" Martin Ramos Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress;
Nominated: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Actress
My Neighbor Totoro Satsuki Kusakabe Voice (English Version)
In the Realms of the Unreal Narrator Voice
2005 Hide and Seek Emily Callaway MTV Movie Award for Best Frightened Performance
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch Lilo Voice
Nine Lives Maria
War of the Worlds Rachel Ferrier Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Actress; Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor;
Nominated: Irish Film and Television Award for Best International Actress, MTV Award for Best Frightened Performance
Dreamer Cale Crane Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress;
Nominated: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Movie Actress
2006 Charlotte's Web Fern Arable Elle plays Fern's granddaughter in alternate ending;
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress;
Nominated: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Actress, Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress
2007 Hounddog Lewellen
Cutlass Lacy Short film
2008 The Secret Life of Bees Lily Owens Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress;
Nominated: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Actress
2009 Coraline Coraline Jones (voice) Nominated: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Voice-Over – Young Actor/Actress
Push Cassie Holmes
Fragments – Winged Creatures Anne Hagen
The Twilight Saga: New Moon Jane Volturi
2010 The Runaways Cherie Currie Nominated: MTV movie award best kiss
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Jane Volturi
2011 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1 Jane Volturi
2012 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 Jane Volturi Post-production
The Motel Life Annie James Post-production
Now Is Good Tessa Scott Post-production
Effie Euphemia 'Effie' Gray Post-production
Very Good Girls Lauren Strode Pre-production
Television appearances
Year Title Role Episode title
2000 ER Delia Chadsey "The Fastest Year"
2000 Ally McBeal Ally (5 years old) "Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost"
2000 Strong Medicine Edie's Girl "Misconceptions"
2000 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Brenda Collins "Blood Drops"
2000 The Practice Alessa Engel "The Deal"
2000 Spin City Cindy "Toy Story"
2001 Malcolm in the Middle Emily "New Neighbors"
2001 The Fighting Fitzgeralds Marie "Pilot"
2001 Family Guy Little girl "To Love and Die in Dixie"
2001 The Ellen Show Young Ellen "Missing the Bus"
2004 Justice League Unlimited Young Wonder Woman (voice) "Kids' Stuff"
2004 Friends Mackenzie "The One with Princess Consuela"
[edit]Awards and nominations


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List of awards and nominations
Year Title of work Award Category Result
2001 I Am Sam Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Young Actress Won
2002 I Am Sam Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award Youth in Film Won
2002 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
2002 Satellite Award Outstanding New Talent Won
2002 Chicago Film Critics Association Award Most Promising Performer Nominated
2002 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Actress Age Ten or Under Won
2003 Taken Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Special – Leading Young Actress Nominated
2003 Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series Nominated
2004 Man on Fire Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Young Actress Nominated
2004 The Cat in the Hat Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress Nominated
2005 Man on Fire Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress Nominated
2005 Nine Lives Gotham Award Best Ensemble Cast Nominated
2005 Locarno International Film Festival Best Actress Won
2005 Hide and Seek MTV Movie Award Best Frightened Performance Won
2005 N/A Relly Awards Best Junior Achiever Won
2005 War of the Worlds Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards Youth in Film Won
2005 Irish Film and Television Award Best International Actress Nominated
2005 Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Young Actress Won
2006 War of the Worlds MTV Movie Award Best Frightened Performance Nominated
2006 Saturn Award Best Performance by a Younger Actor Won
2005 Dreamer Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actress Nominated
2005 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress Won
2006 Charlotte's Web Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Young Actress Nominated
2007 Charlotte's Web Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress Nominated
2007 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actress Won
2008 The Secret Life of Bees Black Reel Award Best Ensemble Cast Nominated
2008 Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Young Actress Nominated
2009 The Secret Life of Bees Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress Won
2010 Coraline Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role – Young Actor/Actress Nominated
2010 The Runaways MTV Movie Award Best Kiss Nominated