Post by Harriet on Mar 16, 2008 18:52:31 GMT -5
Dakota Fanning (born February 23, 1994) is an American child actress. Dakota's breakthrough performance was in I Am Sam in 2001. As of 2007, her most well-known films have been War of the Worlds and Charlotte's Web. She has won numerous awards, and is currently the youngest person ever to have been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Dakota was born Hannah Dakota Fanning in Conyers, Georgia, the daughter of Joy (née Arrington), who played tennis professionally, and Steve J. Fanning, who played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and now works as an electronics salesman in Los Angeles. Her maternal grandfather is football player Rick Arrington and her aunt is ESPN reporter Jill Arrington. Dakota is the older sister of Elle Fanning, also an actress. Dakota's mother had wanted to name her "Hannah" and her father wanted to name her "Dakota"; she has always used Dakota among her friends and family. Dakota is of half German descent and Irish origin. Dakota and her family are members of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Dakota began acting at the age of five after appearing with legendary musician Ray Charles in a television commercial for the state lottery and being chosen for 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.")
Dakota subsequently had several guest roles on established television series, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Friends, The Practice, Spin City and Malcolm in the Middle. She also portrayed the title characters of Ally McBeal and The Ellen Show as young girls. In 2001, Dakota was chosen to star opposite Sean Penn in I Am Sam, the story of a mentally impaired man who fights for the custody of his daughter (played by Dakota).
This role made Dakota the youngest person (in 2002, at age eight) ever to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, for her supporting performance. When she won the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for the film, she was too short to reach the microphone; presenter Orlando Bloom held her up for the duration of her acceptance speech.
In 2002, director Steven Spielberg cast Dakota 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 Dakota "has the perfect sort of otherworldly look about her, an enchanting young actress called upon ... to carry a great weight."
In the same year, Dakota 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.
Dakota was featured even more prominently in two films released in 2003: Playing the uptight child to Brittany Murphy's immature nanny in Uptown Girls, and as Sally in The Cat in the Hat.
Dakota did voice-over work for four animated projects during this period: As Satsuki in Disney's English language release of My Neighbor Totoro, as Kim Possible in preschool in the Disney Channel series Kim Possible, as a little girl in the Fox series Family Guy, and as young Wonder Woman in an episode of Cartoon Network's Justice League.
In 2004, Dakota appeared in Man on Fire as Pita, a nine-year-old who wins over the heart of the retired assassin (Denzel Washington) hired to protect her from kidnappers. Roger Ebert wrote that Dakota "is a pro at only 10 years old, and creates a heart-winning character."
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 [Dakota] challenged the master [De Niro] to a game of stare-down, the legend might very well blink first." Dakota 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 Dakota: "She's definitely an old soul. She's one of those gifted people that come along every now and then."
Dakota in War of the Worlds; Director Steven Spielberg praised her ability to show "how she would really react in a real situation". Dakota 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 as Dakota's father in the movie, declared she is the best actress he worked with in his entire career and that he was astonished by her acting ability and well-rounded attitude. Russell says, "I guarantee you, (Dakota) is the best actress I will work with in my entire career." Kris Kristofferson, who plays her character's grandfather in the movie, said that she's like Bette Davis reincarnated.
While promoting her role in the movie Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story, Dakota 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. Dakota is not a member of a troop, but rather registered as a "Juliette" (GSUSA's title for independently registered girls).
She then went directly to the set of War of the Worlds, starring alongside Tom Cruise. Released in reverse order (War in June of 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."
After filming was completed on War of the Worlds, Dakota moved straight to another film, without a break: Charlotte's Web, which she finished filming in May 2005, in Australia. Released on December 15th, 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." Dakota also provided voice work for Coraline, scheduled for release sometime in 2008.
Over the summer of 2006, Dakota worked on the film Hounddog, described in press reports as a "dark story of abuse, violence and Elvis Presley adulation in the rural South." Dakota's agent noted that the script is "challenging" to Dakota as an actress. Dakota parents have been criticized for allowing her to film a scene in which her character is raped; Dakota called that an "attack." "It's not really happening," she told Reuters. "It's a movie, and it's called acting." 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."
In March and April of 2007, she filmed Winged Creatures, alongside Kate Beckinsale, Guy Pearce, Josh Hutcherson, and Academy Award winners Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson. Dakota plays Anne Hagen, a girl who witnesses her father's shooting murder and who turns to religion in the aftermath.
In July 2007, Dakota filmed for three days a short film titled Cutlass, one of Glamour magazine's "Reel Moments" based on readers' personal essays. Cutlass was directed by Kate Hudson. Available online.
From September to December 2007, Dakota filmed Push which centers on a group of young American ex-pats 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." Dakota plays Cassie Holmes, a thirteen-year-old futureteller.
In January 2008, Dakota will begin filming the movie adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees, a novel by Sue Monk Kidd. Set in South Carolina in 1964, the story centers on Lily Owens (Dakota), 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).
Another potential future project is The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle which Danny DeVito will direct. The movie will be an adaptation of the children's pirate tale The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, set on a ship in 1832.
Dakota is an avid reader, and includes among her hobbies knitting, swimming, piano, violin, ballet, and horseback riding.
Dakota also wears ceramic orthodontic braces and a palatal expander.
In 2006, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as the youngest person ever at the age of 12.
[glow=red,2,300]Trivia [/glow]
Learned to read at age 2.
Nickname - Kota
At the age of 8, she became the youngest person to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, for her supporting performance in I Am Sam (2001).
When she received the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for her performance in I Am Sam (2001), she was too short to reach the microphone to give her acceptance speech. Presenter Orlando Bloom held her up to the mike for the duration of her speech, which turned out to be quite long.
She began her acting career at 5 when she was picked for a Tide commercial
Older sister of Elle Fanning.
Dakota is one of 14 grandchildren.
Her favourite films include Gone with the Wind (1939), Titanic (1997) and Steel Magnolias (1989).
Collects dolls.
Home-schooled.
Looks up to Meryl Streep and Hilary Swank, "not just because they're great actresses, but because they are amazing people".
Her last name, "Fanning" is of Irish origin, and she is also of half German descent
She donated many signed items to Rocky Stone to be given away as prizes in a Dakota Fanning Contest to benefit less fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign 2005 and Toy Mountain Campaign 2006.
First time she visited England was on the 19th June 2005 with Tom Cruise, to attend the premiere of War of the Worlds (2005) at London's Leicester Square.
Loves to knit and has knitted scarfs for Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Tim Robbins.
For the 'sad' scenes in I Am Sam (2001), she thought of her pet goldfish, Flounder, dying.
Carries a book of baby names with her wherever she goes.
Has been to Mexico, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, England and France.
Is a member of the Red Cross
On her eleventh birthday, Tom Cruise gave her a cell phone
Is friends with Daveigh Chase
She can play the violin.
Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2004 Razzie Award nominating ballot. She was suggested in the Worst Supporting Actress category for her role in The Cat in the Hat (2003). She was also suggested in the Worst Screen Couple couple category with co-star Spencer Breslin in the The Cat in the Hat (2003). She failed to receive either nomination.
Is a member of the Girl Scouts USA, and her sister Elle Fanning is a Brownie.
Is learning to speak French. She also learned to speak some Spanish for her role in Man on Fire (2004).
Missed the premiere of Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005) (V) to go to Mexico while her sister Elle Fanning filmed Babel (2006).
Started kindergarten at age 4½ and will start her freshman year of high school (9th grade) in the fall of 2007.
Learned how to ride a race horse for Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005).
After filming of Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005) wrapped, Kurt Russell gave her a horse named Goldie.
During filming of War of the Worlds (2005), Tom Cruise gave her an iPod.
Is now a Girl Scout [Oct. 2005].
After filming Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005), Kurt Russell, who plays her father, bought her a palomino horse, whom she named Goldie. Goldie lives on a ranch near Dakota's home where she can visit him often.
Tutor is Jan Cerwonka.
Her scene in Nine Lives (2005) was done in one take. She got to work on the movie only for one day.
She has said she would love to be a director.
Robert De Niro gave a doll that looked like Dakota's character in Hide and Seek (2005), with the brown hair and blue eyes, on her 10th birthday.
Plays the piano, knits, collects dolls, ride horses and dances ballet.
Niece of Jill Arrington.
She was once the youngest member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (she joined in 2006).
Was ranked #9 in E's 50 cutest child stars all grown-up even if she still is a child.(2005)
Was ranked #9 in E's most cutest child stars all grown-up even if she still is a child.(2005)
Has been in three productions with her sister Elle Fanning, yet they have never shared scenes. Elle played the younger version of Dakota's characters in I Am Sam (2001) and "Taken" (2002), and the two girls voiced sisters in a dub for Tonari no Totoro (1988).
Whilst she was filming Man on Fire (2004) in Mexico, her sister 'Elle Fanning' was filming The Door in the Floor (2004), so their parents had to go to and from their daughters' destinations.
Her first word was "Momo," which was the family cat's name.
Has mentioned in numerous interviews that she would love to work with her sister, Elle Fanning.
For her, the hardest thing at the end of a movie is saying goodbye to the cast.
A doll was made of her (as her character, Cale) for the movie Dreamer (2005).
Friends with her Uptown Girls (2003) co-star Brittany Murphy.
Is a fan of US designer Belle of the Ball. She has worn many Belle of the Ball dresses to events such as the Hide and Seek (2005) premiere.
Was originally offered the part of Leslie in Bridge to Terabithia (2007), but turned it down because of conflicting schedules. AnnaSophia Robb was later given the part.
Has naturally curly hair.
Whilst in Georgia, she attended a Montessori school.
Was ranked #14 on Forbes List of The 20 Top-Earning Young Superstars.(2007).
Was ranked #94 on Forbes List of The Celebrity 100.(2007).
In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year to be $4 million.
Ranked #6 on interview magazines Hollywood faces to watch "Future Stars of Tomorrow".
Was ranked #19 alongside her sister Elle on Entertainment Weekly's '30 Under 30' the actress list. (2008).
[glow=red,2,300]Awards [/glow]
2006 - Won - Saturn Award Best Performance by a Younger Actor
in War of the Worlds (2005)
2003 - Nominated - Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series in "Taken" (2002)
2007 - Nominated - Critics Choice Award Best Young Actress in Charlotte's Web (2006)
2006 - Won - Critics Choice Award Best Young Actress in War of the Worlds (2005)
2005 - Nominated - Critics Choice Award Best Young Actress in Man on Fire (2004)
2002 - Won - Critics Choice Award Best Young Actor/Actress in I Am Sam (2001)
2002 - Nominated - CFCA Award Most Promising Performer
2005 - Nominated - Best Ensemble Cast in Nine Lives (2005)
2005 - Nominated - Audience Award Best International Actress in War of the Worlds (2005)
2007 - Won - Blimp Award Favorite Female Movie Star in Charlotte's Web (2006)
2006 - Nominated - Blimp Award Favorite Movie Actress in Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
2005 - Won - Sierra Award Youth in Film in War of the Worlds (2005)
2002 - Won - Sierra Award Youth in Film in I Am Sam (2001)
2005 - Won - Bronze Leopard Best Actress in Nine Lives (2005)
2006 - Nominated - MTV Movie Award Best Frightened Performance in War of the Worlds (2005)
2005 - Won - MTV Movie Award Best Frightened Performance in Hide and Seek (2005)
2002 - Won - PFCS Award Best Youth Performance in I Am Sam (2001)
2002 - Won - Special Achievement Award Outstanding New Talent in I Am Sam (2001)
2002 - Nominated - Actor Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in I Am Sam (2001)
2006 - ShoWest Award Supporting Actress of the Year
2007 - Nominated - Young Artist Award Best Performace in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress in Charlotte's Web (2006)
2006 - Won - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actress in Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
2005 - Nominated - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress in Man on Fire (2004)
2004 - Nominate - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress in The Cat in the Hat (2003)
2003 - Nominated - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Special - Leading Young Actress in "Taken" (2002)
2002 - Won - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Actress Age Ten or Under in I Am Sam (2001)
Dakota was born Hannah Dakota Fanning in Conyers, Georgia, the daughter of Joy (née Arrington), who played tennis professionally, and Steve J. Fanning, who played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and now works as an electronics salesman in Los Angeles. Her maternal grandfather is football player Rick Arrington and her aunt is ESPN reporter Jill Arrington. Dakota is the older sister of Elle Fanning, also an actress. Dakota's mother had wanted to name her "Hannah" and her father wanted to name her "Dakota"; she has always used Dakota among her friends and family. Dakota is of half German descent and Irish origin. Dakota and her family are members of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Dakota began acting at the age of five after appearing with legendary musician Ray Charles in a television commercial for the state lottery and being chosen for 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.")
Dakota subsequently had several guest roles on established television series, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Friends, The Practice, Spin City and Malcolm in the Middle. She also portrayed the title characters of Ally McBeal and The Ellen Show as young girls. In 2001, Dakota was chosen to star opposite Sean Penn in I Am Sam, the story of a mentally impaired man who fights for the custody of his daughter (played by Dakota).
This role made Dakota the youngest person (in 2002, at age eight) ever to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, for her supporting performance. When she won the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for the film, she was too short to reach the microphone; presenter Orlando Bloom held her up for the duration of her acceptance speech.
In 2002, director Steven Spielberg cast Dakota 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 Dakota "has the perfect sort of otherworldly look about her, an enchanting young actress called upon ... to carry a great weight."
In the same year, Dakota 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.
Dakota was featured even more prominently in two films released in 2003: Playing the uptight child to Brittany Murphy's immature nanny in Uptown Girls, and as Sally in The Cat in the Hat.
Dakota did voice-over work for four animated projects during this period: As Satsuki in Disney's English language release of My Neighbor Totoro, as Kim Possible in preschool in the Disney Channel series Kim Possible, as a little girl in the Fox series Family Guy, and as young Wonder Woman in an episode of Cartoon Network's Justice League.
In 2004, Dakota appeared in Man on Fire as Pita, a nine-year-old who wins over the heart of the retired assassin (Denzel Washington) hired to protect her from kidnappers. Roger Ebert wrote that Dakota "is a pro at only 10 years old, and creates a heart-winning character."
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 [Dakota] challenged the master [De Niro] to a game of stare-down, the legend might very well blink first." Dakota 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 Dakota: "She's definitely an old soul. She's one of those gifted people that come along every now and then."
Dakota in War of the Worlds; Director Steven Spielberg praised her ability to show "how she would really react in a real situation". Dakota 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 as Dakota's father in the movie, declared she is the best actress he worked with in his entire career and that he was astonished by her acting ability and well-rounded attitude. Russell says, "I guarantee you, (Dakota) is the best actress I will work with in my entire career." Kris Kristofferson, who plays her character's grandfather in the movie, said that she's like Bette Davis reincarnated.
While promoting her role in the movie Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story, Dakota 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. Dakota is not a member of a troop, but rather registered as a "Juliette" (GSUSA's title for independently registered girls).
She then went directly to the set of War of the Worlds, starring alongside Tom Cruise. Released in reverse order (War in June of 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."
After filming was completed on War of the Worlds, Dakota moved straight to another film, without a break: Charlotte's Web, which she finished filming in May 2005, in Australia. Released on December 15th, 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." Dakota also provided voice work for Coraline, scheduled for release sometime in 2008.
Over the summer of 2006, Dakota worked on the film Hounddog, described in press reports as a "dark story of abuse, violence and Elvis Presley adulation in the rural South." Dakota's agent noted that the script is "challenging" to Dakota as an actress. Dakota parents have been criticized for allowing her to film a scene in which her character is raped; Dakota called that an "attack." "It's not really happening," she told Reuters. "It's a movie, and it's called acting." 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."
In March and April of 2007, she filmed Winged Creatures, alongside Kate Beckinsale, Guy Pearce, Josh Hutcherson, and Academy Award winners Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson. Dakota plays Anne Hagen, a girl who witnesses her father's shooting murder and who turns to religion in the aftermath.
In July 2007, Dakota filmed for three days a short film titled Cutlass, one of Glamour magazine's "Reel Moments" based on readers' personal essays. Cutlass was directed by Kate Hudson. Available online.
From September to December 2007, Dakota filmed Push which centers on a group of young American ex-pats 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." Dakota plays Cassie Holmes, a thirteen-year-old futureteller.
In January 2008, Dakota will begin filming the movie adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees, a novel by Sue Monk Kidd. Set in South Carolina in 1964, the story centers on Lily Owens (Dakota), 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).
Another potential future project is The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle which Danny DeVito will direct. The movie will be an adaptation of the children's pirate tale The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, set on a ship in 1832.
Dakota is an avid reader, and includes among her hobbies knitting, swimming, piano, violin, ballet, and horseback riding.
Dakota also wears ceramic orthodontic braces and a palatal expander.
In 2006, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as the youngest person ever at the age of 12.
[glow=red,2,300]Trivia [/glow]
Learned to read at age 2.
Nickname - Kota
At the age of 8, she became the youngest person to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, for her supporting performance in I Am Sam (2001).
When she received the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for her performance in I Am Sam (2001), she was too short to reach the microphone to give her acceptance speech. Presenter Orlando Bloom held her up to the mike for the duration of her speech, which turned out to be quite long.
She began her acting career at 5 when she was picked for a Tide commercial
Older sister of Elle Fanning.
Dakota is one of 14 grandchildren.
Her favourite films include Gone with the Wind (1939), Titanic (1997) and Steel Magnolias (1989).
Collects dolls.
Home-schooled.
Looks up to Meryl Streep and Hilary Swank, "not just because they're great actresses, but because they are amazing people".
Her last name, "Fanning" is of Irish origin, and she is also of half German descent
She donated many signed items to Rocky Stone to be given away as prizes in a Dakota Fanning Contest to benefit less fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign 2005 and Toy Mountain Campaign 2006.
First time she visited England was on the 19th June 2005 with Tom Cruise, to attend the premiere of War of the Worlds (2005) at London's Leicester Square.
Loves to knit and has knitted scarfs for Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Tim Robbins.
For the 'sad' scenes in I Am Sam (2001), she thought of her pet goldfish, Flounder, dying.
Carries a book of baby names with her wherever she goes.
Has been to Mexico, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, England and France.
Is a member of the Red Cross
On her eleventh birthday, Tom Cruise gave her a cell phone
Is friends with Daveigh Chase
She can play the violin.
Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2004 Razzie Award nominating ballot. She was suggested in the Worst Supporting Actress category for her role in The Cat in the Hat (2003). She was also suggested in the Worst Screen Couple couple category with co-star Spencer Breslin in the The Cat in the Hat (2003). She failed to receive either nomination.
Is a member of the Girl Scouts USA, and her sister Elle Fanning is a Brownie.
Is learning to speak French. She also learned to speak some Spanish for her role in Man on Fire (2004).
Missed the premiere of Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005) (V) to go to Mexico while her sister Elle Fanning filmed Babel (2006).
Started kindergarten at age 4½ and will start her freshman year of high school (9th grade) in the fall of 2007.
Learned how to ride a race horse for Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005).
After filming of Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005) wrapped, Kurt Russell gave her a horse named Goldie.
During filming of War of the Worlds (2005), Tom Cruise gave her an iPod.
Is now a Girl Scout [Oct. 2005].
After filming Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005), Kurt Russell, who plays her father, bought her a palomino horse, whom she named Goldie. Goldie lives on a ranch near Dakota's home where she can visit him often.
Tutor is Jan Cerwonka.
Her scene in Nine Lives (2005) was done in one take. She got to work on the movie only for one day.
She has said she would love to be a director.
Robert De Niro gave a doll that looked like Dakota's character in Hide and Seek (2005), with the brown hair and blue eyes, on her 10th birthday.
Plays the piano, knits, collects dolls, ride horses and dances ballet.
Niece of Jill Arrington.
She was once the youngest member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (she joined in 2006).
Was ranked #9 in E's 50 cutest child stars all grown-up even if she still is a child.(2005)
Was ranked #9 in E's most cutest child stars all grown-up even if she still is a child.(2005)
Has been in three productions with her sister Elle Fanning, yet they have never shared scenes. Elle played the younger version of Dakota's characters in I Am Sam (2001) and "Taken" (2002), and the two girls voiced sisters in a dub for Tonari no Totoro (1988).
Whilst she was filming Man on Fire (2004) in Mexico, her sister 'Elle Fanning' was filming The Door in the Floor (2004), so their parents had to go to and from their daughters' destinations.
Her first word was "Momo," which was the family cat's name.
Has mentioned in numerous interviews that she would love to work with her sister, Elle Fanning.
For her, the hardest thing at the end of a movie is saying goodbye to the cast.
A doll was made of her (as her character, Cale) for the movie Dreamer (2005).
Friends with her Uptown Girls (2003) co-star Brittany Murphy.
Is a fan of US designer Belle of the Ball. She has worn many Belle of the Ball dresses to events such as the Hide and Seek (2005) premiere.
Was originally offered the part of Leslie in Bridge to Terabithia (2007), but turned it down because of conflicting schedules. AnnaSophia Robb was later given the part.
Has naturally curly hair.
Whilst in Georgia, she attended a Montessori school.
Was ranked #14 on Forbes List of The 20 Top-Earning Young Superstars.(2007).
Was ranked #94 on Forbes List of The Celebrity 100.(2007).
In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year to be $4 million.
Ranked #6 on interview magazines Hollywood faces to watch "Future Stars of Tomorrow".
Was ranked #19 alongside her sister Elle on Entertainment Weekly's '30 Under 30' the actress list. (2008).
[glow=red,2,300]Awards [/glow]
2006 - Won - Saturn Award Best Performance by a Younger Actor
in War of the Worlds (2005)
2003 - Nominated - Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series in "Taken" (2002)
2007 - Nominated - Critics Choice Award Best Young Actress in Charlotte's Web (2006)
2006 - Won - Critics Choice Award Best Young Actress in War of the Worlds (2005)
2005 - Nominated - Critics Choice Award Best Young Actress in Man on Fire (2004)
2002 - Won - Critics Choice Award Best Young Actor/Actress in I Am Sam (2001)
2002 - Nominated - CFCA Award Most Promising Performer
2005 - Nominated - Best Ensemble Cast in Nine Lives (2005)
2005 - Nominated - Audience Award Best International Actress in War of the Worlds (2005)
2007 - Won - Blimp Award Favorite Female Movie Star in Charlotte's Web (2006)
2006 - Nominated - Blimp Award Favorite Movie Actress in Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
2005 - Won - Sierra Award Youth in Film in War of the Worlds (2005)
2002 - Won - Sierra Award Youth in Film in I Am Sam (2001)
2005 - Won - Bronze Leopard Best Actress in Nine Lives (2005)
2006 - Nominated - MTV Movie Award Best Frightened Performance in War of the Worlds (2005)
2005 - Won - MTV Movie Award Best Frightened Performance in Hide and Seek (2005)
2002 - Won - PFCS Award Best Youth Performance in I Am Sam (2001)
2002 - Won - Special Achievement Award Outstanding New Talent in I Am Sam (2001)
2002 - Nominated - Actor Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in I Am Sam (2001)
2006 - ShoWest Award Supporting Actress of the Year
2007 - Nominated - Young Artist Award Best Performace in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress in Charlotte's Web (2006)
2006 - Won - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actress in Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
2005 - Nominated - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress in Man on Fire (2004)
2004 - Nominate - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress in The Cat in the Hat (2003)
2003 - Nominated - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Special - Leading Young Actress in "Taken" (2002)
2002 - Won - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Actress Age Ten or Under in I Am Sam (2001)