Dakota Fanning (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 World, 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 currently the youngest person ever to have been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Hannah Dakota Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia. She is the daughter of Joy (nee 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. Her maternal grandfather was former American football players, Rick Arrington, and her aunt is former ESPN reporter Jill Anrrington. Dakota is the older sister of Elle Fanning, also an actress.

Her father had wanted to name her "Dakota" and her mother wanted to name her "Hannah".

Fanning is of half German descent and her last name is of Irish origin. Fanning and her family are members of the Southern Baptist Convention. Fanning attended Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood, California and is on the junior varsity spirit cheerleading squad.