Elle Fanning: Biography

Elle Fanning is an American actress whose career began in childhood and developed into a diverse body of film and television work.

Early Life

Mary Elle Fanning was born on 9 April 1998 in Conyers, Georgia. She is the younger sister of actress Dakota Fanning.

Fanning began acting professionally as a young child. One of her earliest screen appearances came in I Am Sam, where she played a younger version of her sister’s character.

Childhood Acting Career

Fanning continued working throughout childhood, appearing in films including Daddy Day Care, Babel, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Phoebe in Wonderland.

As she grew older, she increasingly moved into leading roles and more demanding dramatic projects.

Film Career

Fanning attracted attention for her work in Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere and later became widely known for playing Princess Aurora in Disney’s Maleficent and its sequel.

Her filmography has continued to include both mainstream productions and independent cinema.

The Great

One of Fanning’s most prominent television roles came in the historical comedy-drama The Great, in which she portrayed Catherine the Great opposite Nicholas Hoult.

The series earned Fanning significant awards recognition and demonstrated her ability to lead a long-form television production.

Producing

Fanning has also moved into producing. She and her sister Dakota established their production company, Lewellen Pictures, and have continued developing film and television projects together.

In 2026, Fanning has also been associated with the television series Margo’s Got Money Troubles, while continuing to develop her career across acting and production.