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Dakota Fanning

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Dakota Fanning
Fanning in January 2009
Born
Hannah Dakota Fanning
OccupationActress
Years active2000–present

Hannah Dakota Fanning[1] (born February 23, 1994), better known simply 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 transitioning to more adult roles with Hounddog and The Secret Life of Bees. She has won numerous awards and is the youngest person ever to have been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Personal life

Dakota Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia, the daughter of Joy (née Arrington), who played tennis professionally, and Steve Fanning, who played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and now works as an electronics salesman in Los Angeles.[2] Her maternal grandfather was former American football player, Rick Arrington, and her aunt is former ESPN reporter Jill Arrington.[3] Dakota is the older sister of Elle Fanning, also an actress.

Fanning is of half German descent and her last name is of Irish origin.[4] Fanning and her family are Southern Baptist.[5] She attends Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood, California,[6] and is on the varsity spirit cheerleading squad.[7]

Acting career

Early years

Fanning began acting at the age of five after appearing on a Tide commercial. Her first significant acting job was a guest-starring 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.")[8]

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.[9] She also won the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for her performance.[10]

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."[11]

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.

2004–2005

Dakota Fanning at the London premiere of War of the Worlds in 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."[12]

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."[13] 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 Garcia 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."[14] Fanning also recorded voice work for Coraline during this time.[15]

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." [16] Kris Kristofferson, who plays her character's grandfather in the movie, said that she's like Bette Davis reincarnated.[17]

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. She is not a member of a troop, but rather registered as a "Juliette", GSUSA's title for independently registered girls.[18]

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."[19]

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. Released on December 15, 2006, Web met generally warm critical acclaim. 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."[20]

2006–2007

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."[21] 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."[22] Director Deborah Kampmeier addressed the controversy in the January 2007 edition of Premiere: "The assumption that [Dakota] was violated in order to give this performance denies her talent."[23]

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.[24] Her income for 2006 was $4 million, earning her the fourth place in Forbes Magazine's list of top-earning stars aged under 21.[25]

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.[26] Fanning plays Cassie Holmes, a 13-year-old psychic.

2008–present

Fanning at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

In January 2008, Fanning began filming the movie adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees, a novel by Sue Monk Kidd.[27] 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 in New Moon and will reprise the role in Eclipse, based on novels by Stephenie Meyer.[28] New Moon was released on November 20, 2009, and Eclipse is set for release on June 30, 2010.

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.

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
2001 "Father Xmas" Clairee short subject
Tomcats Little Girl in Park
I Am Sam Lucy Diamond Dawson Dakota's younger sister, Elle Fanning, plays the younger version of Lucy
2002 Taken (TV) Allie Keys Television miniseries
Elle Fanning plays the younger version of Allie
Trapped Abigail Jennings, "Abbie"
Sweet Home Alabama Young Melanie
Hansel and Gretel Katie
2003 Uptown Girls Lorraine Schleine, "Ray"
The Cat in the Hat Sally Walden
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time Preschool Kim Voice
2004 Man on Fire Lupita Martin Ramos, "Pita"
My Neighbor Totoro Satsuki Kusakabe Voice (English Version)
In the Realms of the Unreal Narrator Voice
2005 Hide and Seek Emily Callaway
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch Lilo Voice
Nine Lives Maria
War of the Worlds Rachel Ferrier
Dreamer Cale Crane
2006 Charlotte's Web Fern Arable Elle Fanning plays Fern's granddaughter in alternate ending
2007 Hounddog Lewellen
"Cutlass" Lacy Short film
2008 The Secret Life of Bees Lily Owens
2009 Coraline Coraline Jones Voice
Push Cassie Holmes
Fragments - Winged Creatures Anne Hagen
The Twilight Saga: New Moon Jane
2010 The Runaways Cherie Currie
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Jane post-production'

Television appearances

Year Title Role Notes
2000 ER Delia Chadsey "The Fastest Year"
Ally McBeal Ally (5 years) "Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost"
Strong Medicine Edie's Girl "Misconceptions"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Brenda Collins "Blood Drops"
The Practice Alessa Engel "The Deal"
Spin City Cindy "Toy Story"
2001 Malcolm in the Middle Emily "New Neighbors"
The Fighting Fitzgeralds Marie "Pilot"
Family Guy Little girl "To Love and Die in Dixie"
The Ellen Show Young Ellen "Missing the Bus"
2004 Justice League Unlimited Young Wonder Woman (voice) "Kid Stuff"
Friends Mackenzie "The One with Princess Consuela"

Awards and Nominations

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards (Blimp Award)

Broadcast Film Critics Association Award (Critics' Choice Award)

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (Saturn Award)

  • 2006 Best Performance by a Younger Actor, War of the Worlds (2005)
  • 2003 Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series for: Taken (2002) (nominated)

Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards (Sierra Awards)

Locarno International Film Festival (Bronze Leopard)

  • 2005 Best Actress (shared with other cast members), Nine Lives (2005)

Relly Awards

  • 2005 Best Junior Achiever

MTV Movie Awards (MTV Movie Award)

Image Awards

Irish Film and Television Awards

Gotham Awards

  • 2005 Best Ensemble Cast for: Nine Lives (2005) (nominated)

Screen Actors Guild Awards

  • 2002 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

for: I Am Sam (2001) (nominated)

Satellite Award (Special Achievement Award)

  • 2002 Outstanding New Talent, I Am Sam (2001)

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (CFCA Award)

  • 2002 Most Promising Performer (nominated)

Black Reel Awards

Young Artist Awards (Young Artist Award)

  • 2010 Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role – Young Actor/Actress for: Coraline (2009) (nominated)
  • 2009 Best Performance in a Feature Film (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress, The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
  • 2007 Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress for: Charlotte's Web (2006) (nominated)
  • 2006 Best Performance in a Feature Film (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress, Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
  • 2005 Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress for: Man on Fire (2004) (nominated)
  • 2004 Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress for: The Cat in the Hat (2003) (nominated)
  • 2003 Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Special – Leading Young Actress for: Taken (2002) (nominated)
  • 2002 Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Actress Age Ten or Under, I Am Sam (2001)

References

  1. ^ Colleen Long (2005-02-04). "'Hide and Seek' star Fanning, at 10, already owns acting chops". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  2. ^ Fanning's Genealogy at Ancestry.com
  3. ^ Stein, Joel (2005-02-27). "The Million-Dollar Baby". Time. Retrieved 2007-12-10. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ "Dakota Fanning Lives Out Her Dreams". timessquare.com. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  5. ^ "Interview: Dakota Fanning". lifeteen.com. Retrieved July 19, 2006.
  6. ^ "Friday Night Lights – Crush: Hollywood's Next Generation – omg! on Yahoo". Omg.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  7. ^ Heyman, Marshall. "Dakota Fanning: Celebrities". Wmagazine.com. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  8. ^ "Fanning the flames". Jam! Movies. Retrieved March 13, 2006.
  9. ^ "History of the 8th SAG Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". Sagawards.org. 2002-03-10. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  10. ^ "The BFCA Critics' Choice Awards :: 2001". Bfca.org. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  11. ^ "Sci Fi's 'Taken' Grabs You and Doesn't Let Go". The Washington Post via virtuallystrange.net. Retrieved March 13, 2006.
  12. ^ "Man on Fire (review)". rogerebert.com. Retrieved March 13, 2006.
  13. ^ "Hide and Seek review". laweekly.com. Retrieved March 13, 2006.
  14. ^ "Glenn Close raves about Dakota Fanning". monstersandcritics.com. Retrieved March 13, 2006.
  15. ^ "Dakota Fanning Signs on to "Coraline"". about.com. Retrieved March 13, 2006.
  16. ^ "Kurt Russell Says Dakota Fanning Is The Best Actress He Ever Played With". softpedia.com. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
  17. ^ "Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story (2005) DVD Review". reel.com. Retrieved January 28, 2007.
  18. ^ "Dakota Fanning, Movie Star and Girl Scout". girlscouts.org. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  19. ^ "War of the Worlds: Spielberg & Cruise – Part I". comingsoon.net. Retrieved March 13, 2006.
  20. ^ "Exclusive Interview : Jordan Kerner". moviehole.net. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
  21. ^ "All shook up over Dakota's Hounddog". nydailynews.com. Retrieved July 20, 2006.
  22. ^ "Dakota Fanning: 'It's called acting'". cnn.com. Retrieved January 29, 2007.
  23. ^ "No More Kid Stuff". Premiere. January 2007.
  24. ^ "Brokeback stars to join Academy". BBC. April 2007.
  25. ^ "Young Hollywood's Top-Earning Stars". Forbes Magazine. February 26, 2007.
  26. ^ "Fanning set to 'Push' for McGuigan". Vanity Fair. August 2007.
  27. ^ "Cast set for 'Secret Life of Bees'". December 2007.
  28. ^ "Dakota Fanning Confirmed For 'New Moon'". Access Hollywood. 2009-03-07. Retrieved 2009-03-07.
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