Holding one’s own opposite formidable talent Sean Penn would be an accomplishment for any Hollywood newcomer, but the fact that Dakota Fanning did so at the age of six in the critically acclaimed “I Am Sam” (2001), announced the arrival of a very different “child star.” Fanning was subsequently called upon to impart her sweet radiance and old-soul worldliness to dramas and thrillers like “Man on Fire” (2004) and “War of the Worlds” (2005), where she was consistently praised for her mature emotional characterizations and ultra professionalism. With career beginnings more akin to Jodie Foster
At age five appeared in a TV commercial for Tide detergent
2000
TV debut in an episode of NBC's "ER" playing an accident victim who has leukemia
2000
Portrayed the title character at age five in an episode of "Ally McBeal" (FOX)
2001
Made feature film debut in "Tomcats"
2001
First major film role as the daughter of a mentally retarded man (Sean Penn) who fights for the custody in "I Am Sam"; shared role with sister Elle Fanning; was the youngest actress nominated for a SAG Award for performance
