Born to Steven and Joy Fanning on February 23, 1994, Hannah Dakota Fanning (widely known by her middle name) is easily one of the most recognizable phenoms of her generation. When Dakota was very young, her parents were advised by a teacher that she may have more than just the typical "drama club" type of talent, and ever since Dakota broke out as Sean Penn's daughter in "I Am Sam," it's been obvious that she knows how to lend all the right elements to the acting business. By the time Dakota turned 13, she had already appeared in at least a dozen feature films, co-starring with the likes of Denzel Washington, Robert DeNiro, Brittany Murphy, Tom Cruise, Kurt Russell, and yes, even Julia Roberts. Her most recent film, Hounddog, features young Dakota in a controversial role as a rape victim, and while the movie has yet to find a buyer at the Sundance Film Festival, this could be the actress's first shot at an Academy Award nomination (not to mention an opportunity to shed some much-needed light on one of today's most taboo social topics). Dakota has a younger sister named Elle, who is also an actress, and although the younger Fanning's resume isn't quite as long as Ms. Dakota's, she is well on her way to achieving a great acting career.



In light of Dakota's extraordinary career as an actress, it may be difficult to perceive her as "normal" in any sense, but in all honesty, she is a sincere, down-to-earth girl who enjoys reading, knitting, spending time with family, and eating out at Taco Bell. Sounds a lot like anybody you'd see in real life, right? Well, not quite. Dakota is probably the most sought-after child starlet in the world right now, and given a few more years, she will be ready to stand up there with Reese Witherspoon and Hilary Swank as one of Hollywood's most competent "leading ladies."





Dakota's tremendous talent and brilliant execution in front of the camera gives her a certain uniqueness, but if her sweet, genuine qualities are any indication of her future, she could very well be a glimmer of hope that child starlets can still turn out well.