Dakota Fanning (born February 23, 1994) is an American actress who first became widely known as a standout child performer, then built a second chapter as an adult actor with a steady mix of studio films, character-driven indies, and prestige television. Her early breakout in I Am Sam put her on the map almost immediately, and she followed it with major roles in projects like Man on Fire, War of the Worlds, and Charlotte’s Web.
As her career evolved, Fanning leaned into darker and more complex material, from The Runaways to period drama on The Alienist. In recent years she has drawn fresh attention for her work in the limited series Ripley, which earned her major award nominations, while continuing to take on high-visibility roles across film and TV. She also co-runs the production company Lewellen Pictures with her sister, Elle Fanning, expanding her work beyond acting into development and producing.
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Quick Facts
| Real Name: | Hannah Dakota Fanning |
| Profession: | Actress, producer |
| Born: | February 23, 1994 |
| Age: | 31 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace: | Conyers, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | New York University (BA) |
| Known For: | Breakout as a child actor, then adult roles in prestige TV and film including The Alienist and Ripley |
| Notable Films: | I Am Sam; Man on Fire; War of the Worlds; The Runaways; Once Upon a Time in Hollywood; The Watchers |
| Major Recognition: | Major award nominations for Ripley, plus early career recognition for I Am Sam |
| Zodiac Sign: | Pisces |
| Relationship: | Keeps personal life private (no broadly confirmed public status) |
| Years Active: | 1999 to present |
Early Life & Education
Dakota Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia, and began performing professionally as a small child. Even early on, she was known for an unusually focused on-camera presence, which helped her move quickly from commercials and guest TV roles into feature films.
She later graduated from Campbell Hall School in Studio City, California, and attended New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she studied with a focus that included women’s studies and the portrayal of women in film and culture. Over time, that academic grounding has matched the direction of her career choices as she has taken on more psychologically complex roles in film and prestige television.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Fanning’s breakthrough arrived with I Am Sam (2001), a performance that brought her early awards attention and positioned her as one of the most in-demand child actors of her generation. She followed it with a run of high-profile projects, including the miniseries Taken and major films like Man on Fire and War of the Worlds, where she held her own opposite established stars in large-scale productions.
As she grew older, Fanning transitioned into more mature material, taking on indie work like The Runaways and later anchoring television with The Alienist. In the 2020s, she is strongly associated with prestige limited series work, including Ripley, alongside continued film roles such as The Watchers. She has also expanded into producing through Lewellen Pictures, giving her more influence over development and long-term career strategy.
Selected film and TV highlights
- I Am Sam (2001)
- Taken (2002, miniseries)
- Man on Fire (2004)
- War of the Worlds (2005)
- Charlotte’s Web (2006)
- The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
- The Twilight Saga (2009 to 2012)
- The Runaways (2010)
- The Alienist (2018 to 2020)
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
- Ripley (2024, limited series)
- The Watchers (2024)
Major recognition
- Critics’ Choice (Broadcast Film Critics Association), Best Young Performer for I Am Sam (won)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Supporting Actress nomination for I Am Sam (nominated)
- Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Ripley (nominated)
- Golden Globe Awards, Best Supporting Actress on Television nomination for Ripley (nominated)
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Awards and Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Broadcast Film Critics Association (Critics’ Choice) | Best Young Performer | I Am Sam | Won |
| 2002 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress | I Am Sam | Nominated |
| 2003 | Young Artist Awards | Leading Young Actress (TV Movie or Miniseries) | Taken | Won |
| 2006 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Younger Actor | War of the Worlds | Won |
| 2018 | Satellite Awards | Supporting Actress in a Series | The Alienist | Nominated |
| 2020 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | Nominated |
| 2024 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Supporting Actress (Limited or Anthology) | Ripley | Nominated |
| 2025 | Golden Globe Awards | Supporting Actress on Television | Ripley | Nominated |
Filmography / Notable Works
| Year | Title | Type | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | I Am Sam | Film | Breakthrough role that brought major awards attention. |
| 2002 | Taken | TV miniseries | Early prestige television lead child role. |
| 2004 | Man on Fire | Film | High-profile thriller opposite Denzel Washington. |
| 2005 | War of the Worlds | Film | Major studio blockbuster with Steven Spielberg directing. |
| 2006 | Charlotte’s Web | Film | Family film era role as she broadened her range. |
| 2010 | The Runaways | Film | Key transition into more mature independent film work. |
| 2018 | Ocean’s 8 | Film | Ensemble studio title during her adult-career build. |
| 2018 to 2020 | The Alienist | TV | Period drama series work that strengthened her prestige TV profile. |
| 2019 | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | Film | Supporting role in a major ensemble film. |
| 2024 | Ripley | Limited series | Role that drove renewed awards-season attention and nominations. |
| 2024 | The Watchers | Film | Lead role in a mainstream genre release. |
Net Worth, Income, & Lifestyle
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | Public estimates vary widely and should be treated cautiously. Dakota Fanning has not published a verified net worth figure, and reliable documentation is limited. |
| Income Sources | Acting across film and television, plus producing work through Lewellen Pictures and related development activity. |
| Properties & Assets | She keeps most personal financial details private. Coverage tends to focus on professional projects rather than specific assets. |
| Lifestyle | Often described as private and work-focused, with long-term career choices that balance mainstream visibility and prestige roles. |
Social Media & Online Presence
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Public profile commonly listed as @dakotafanning. Follower counts and verification can change over time. | |
| X (Twitter) | No widely relied-upon active personal handle confirmed in this profile. Treat lookalike accounts cautiously. |
| TikTok | No clearly verified personal TikTok highlighted here. Most content is clips and reposts. |
| Public pages and repost accounts exist, but affiliation can be unclear. Confirm before treating any page as official. | |
| YouTube | Most video content is hosted by studios and media outlets rather than a personal channel. |
| IMDb | Filmography reference: IMDb. |
| Official Website | No single official personal site is emphasized here. Production work is commonly associated with Lewellen Pictures (company presence varies by platform). |
| Fan Updates | Coming soon, subscribe to follow Dakota Fanning updates. |
Fan communities on social media (unofficial)
NOTE: In addition to any official accounts listed above, many fan-run pages and clip accounts exist. These are not confirmed to be affiliated with Dakota Fanning. Links and usernames can change at any time.
Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts
- She became the youngest nominee in Screen Actors Guild Awards history after her early breakthrough in I Am Sam.
- Her career includes both blockbuster films and prestige limited series, a mix that is relatively rare for performers who started as child actors.
- She earned a BA from New York University and has spoken about the value of building a life outside the industry.
- She co-runs the production company Lewellen Pictures with her sister, Elle Fanning, allowing them to develop and produce projects together.
- She has taken on a wide range of genres, including sci-fi, thriller, period drama, animation voice work, and psychological limited series.
- In the 2020s she has been closely associated with prestige TV momentum driven by Ripley.
Quotes
“For me, I think I just have always maintained my very pure love for what I do.”
Dakota Fanning (interview quote)
“Every year that goes by, you’re more in tune with who you are and with what you want and don’t want.”
Dakota Fanning (interview quote)
“They kind of see a weird little piece of themselves in each other.”
Dakota Fanning (discussion of Ripley)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Dakota Fanning’s age?
A: Dakota Fanning is 31 years old (born February 23, 1994).
Q: What is Dakota Fanning best known for?
A: She is widely known for her early breakout in I Am Sam, major roles in films like Man on Fire and War of the Worlds, and later prestige TV work including The Alienist and Ripley.
Q: Did Dakota Fanning receive major award nominations for Ripley?
A: Yes. Her performance in Ripley drew major awards attention and included top-tier nominations (television awards vary by year and category).
Q: Does Dakota Fanning have a sister?
A: Yes. Her sister is actress Elle Fanning.
Q: Where did Dakota Fanning go to college?
A: She attended New York University and earned a BA.
Upcoming Projects
- Project development through Lewellen Pictures: Fanning continues to develop and produce work in addition to acting, with timelines that can shift during development.
- New limited series and film roles: After awards-season momentum around Ripley, industry coverage has pointed to continued prestige TV interest; confirm dates as announcements become official.
- In-development adaptations: Some projects connected to her name have been reported as planned or in development over the years; release timing can change significantly.
Interviews & Features
- Vanity Fair, “How Ripley Changed Dakota Fanning” (2024), a career-focused conversation about playing Marge, the demands of the production, and how the role helped reframe her as an adult actor.
Public Appearances & Festivals
- Ripley premiere (April 2024): Fanning attended the series’ premiere events as Netflix rolled out the limited series to press and audiences.
- Golden Globe Awards arrivals (January 5, 2025): She appeared in Beverly Hills during the Golden Globes weekend as a nominee for Ripley.
- SAG-AFTRA Foundation and awards-season conversations (2024): Fanning participated in events tied to awards-season coverage and recent TV projects, including cast and creator conversations.
