Dakota Fanning Reminisces on Iconic Roles Throughout Her Acting Career | Behind the Look

Dakota Fanning undoubtedly has one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood. She broke onto the scene at a young age and has continued to wow us with iconic roles throughout her career. Watch above to see Fanning discuss her roles from Uptown Girls all the way to present-day projects such as The First Lady.
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Produced by Who What Wear
Film Credits
Coraline (2009) Source: Shout! Factory
I Am Sam (2001) Source: New Line
Twilight: New Moon (2009) Source: Summit Entertainment / Lionsgate
The Alienist (2018) Source: TNT
The Cat In The Hat (2003) Source: DREAMWORKS SKG
The Runaways (2010) Source: Apparition
Uptown Girls (2003) Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
The First Lady (2022) Source: Lionsgate

[@duzztin31]

It hurts a little watching “Uptown Girls” (2003) again because Brittany said in an interview that she couldn’t wait to see Dakota grow up and have a 10th year reunion. Rest in peace, baby girl.

[@zoeantoinette8641]

Omg heart breaking 🥺

[@ninaalexandrazelenak2005]

What happened to her?

[@fernandasalazar8124]

@@ninaalexandrazelenak2005 overdose on top of some health problems I believe

[@SNixon14]

@@ninaalexandrazelenak2005 pneumonia and anemia according to the M.E.

[@angelothehorrorfan5013]

@@ninaalexandrazelenak2005 I'm surprised you don't know cause I thought everyone knew Brittany's death. She died 13 years ago

[@cvill03]

So happy that Dakota Fanning has made it out safe & sound from being a CHILD STAR.

[@Mar-zh3nn]

deff. agree

[@charlesdavis545]

Ditto. So many didn't.

[@amongusofficial6970]

No she didn't when she was 17 years old she played in adult rolos

[@nikitamohanan2124]

@@amongusofficial6970 but she didn't. If you are talking about the runaways movie the real life character she played was that age!

[@nancywindsor2110]

Great support and family would definitely keep someone grounded, safe and loved. I'm glad she became apart of my childhood when watching her movies 🤍

[@saintpalm]

She had all the child stars SHOOK in her day

[@xxKEVZxx]

She was the go-to child actor

[@chayo4537]

Damn right

[@dontbeasucka.61]

Yeah I remember, Hard to believe she's approaching The 3-0

[@Tarikkb]

I hope she get an Oscar or a nomination one day

[@Nazaba09]

I don’t know how she hasn’t WON.

[@kindlykaren1313]

@@Nazaba09 seriously!

[@manal-sb1zk]

For real. It's honestly overdue.

[@j.cutrone]

She will. Elle will, also.

[@kindlykaren1313]

@@j.cutrone why do you have to bring up Elle just because they’re sisters? Even if it is not malicious we shouldn’t do stuff like that. It doesn’t even make sense

[@emillyalves5657]

she is so elegant, i love watching her interviews. many of her projects made my childhood and teen years. i wish she talked about push and secret life of bees

[@WhoWhatWear]

We could have talked to her all day

[@emillyalves5657]

@@WhoWhatWear yes i would love to watch that!

[@romancenight7411]

Exactly!Elegant & Smart.

[@LuvNickynGina4ever]

I love push, what a great cast

[@leeallenbeal]

Yup

[@andieairwick]

Let’s also not forgot that Dakota and Ella voiced Satsuki and Mei for My Neighbor Totoro! Both sisters have done a lot over the years I admire both of their hard work and talent!

[@chloesimons787]

I think she also was lilo from stitch

[@awtumn]

@@chloesimons787 Daveigh Chase voiced Lilo for the majority of the Lilo & Stitch films, but Dakota voiced Lilo in the second film.

[@AmbientMess]

@@awtumn Ah never knew that! How close Dakota get to Chase's original VA?

[@natalieee3256]

I started tearing up when she was talking about how Brittany Murphy got them matching juicy couture tracksuits. Uptown girls will always be one of my favorite movies, RIP to a beautiful angel she was not only beautiful on the outside but inside too

[@ashleyvirella6694]

Gone too soon 😔

[@af1saucy]

Man, she made my whole childhood. From The Runaways, Cat in the Hat, Uptown Girls, Secret Life of Bees, I Am Sam, Twilight and Coraline…. she will always, ALWAYS be one of the GOATs.

[@abbyt7188]

And charlottes web!!

[@15Candles]

@@abbyt7188 I love that movie, that movie was my childhood. And even in my adult age now i still love it!! One of Dakota's best

[@braxtonmullis5580]

Can't believe they forgot about was of the worlds

[@alexkess8506]

The fact that she is so “normal” and down to earth considering her childhood fame is such a rare thing and a relief to see. What a wonderful young lady.

[@jasonnitti5478]

Because her parents not only protected her from bad people in the industry, they also valued education and provided her and Elle the skills that are needed to be disciplined. Her parents made going to college mandatory which is why Dakota enrolled at NYU while continuing to be in movies, and they also taught her the importance of keeping your personal life shielded from the public eye. She also said that acting is something she has wanted to do she was a toddler and her parents never forced her to do it to pay the bills, which is helpful.

[@binaryvoid0101]

You can thank her protective parents for that. She always speaks so fondly of them.

[@bchreene]

Dakota as Volturi Jane in Twilight is my absolute favorite character and look for her, ever! Such a baddie.

[@WhoWhatWear]

Iconic baddie for sure

[@danigz]

HOW AM I JUST FINDING OUT THATS HER

[@jacob-ni6jr]

She was only like 16

[@SUMMER-ic5em]

@@danigz fr

[@johncooper4874]

When I first watched Man on Fire, I wondered why she wasn’t nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars. She was GIVING whenever she was on screen.

[@jonascastejon5888]

No love for Man On Fire 😭? That's my favorite movie from her and one of her, if not in fact her best and most iconic performance (and certainly one of the best roles of Denzel Washington for sure).

[@threwthelookingglass7194]

war of the worlds. or push

[@rublo1]

Sameee 😭😫 crushed it wasn’t mentioned

[@sumone9154]

I agree!! Denzel said she was one of the best 3 actors he’s ever worked with

[@nilsnils4865]

@@sumone9154 when did he say that

[@Astralkidd0]

im so happy people appreciate this movie like me. it's a movie i always watch with my parents, we are Mexicans, we love that it was filmed here in Mexico. we love her and everyone in the movie, such an iconic and pure role. sadly too real.

[@sweetdakotafan]

Dakota Fanning is the most gorgeous actress in Hollywood and the most underrated by far!

[@soilgrasswaterair]

She’s not underrated she is in huge productions with the A-list stars because she is considered to be A-list (well deserved). She has been working since she was really young (I think she did commercials before she did her first big feature). She’s done and keeps doing big productions where she has big roles. Don’t take my word on it, but I have a vague memory of her saying she wanted to go to college when she quit high school, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she went ahead with that and also finished and got a degree in something). Lack of exposure doesn’t mean she is underrated, because when she does pop up it seems to be with projects she’s into and people always have lovely things to say about her and she seems to have a good head on her shoulders tbh). I can honestly say that I barely know anything about her and it seems this is the experience for many, which tells me she has lots of integrity and that is very sane considering what she does for a living. Dakota Fanning is one of those celebrities you never heard any negative things about, and she always seemed very polite and at the same time secure. I’m older than her but I remember being inspired by her talking about school being important to her (when she went to high school and made millions of dollars and had her financial security she still expressed education was fun and important), which is a beautiful thing to inspire young people to care for (lol after all very few people will be financially set so early or ever, and an education is important and to show up for work etc and yourself and those around you in life). Idk it’s like she had a full childhood but at the same time didn’t due to going to work and preparing for work and promoting her work while trying to keep up with school, friends, family after school/work activities. I never heard a bad thing about her sister either, just positive things. Wonder if their parents put pressure on them because I never heard what they did for a living outside of tending to their childrens’ careers.

[@williamaldridge2020]

We love her

[@caryrodriguez5765]

@@williamaldridge2020 I've Never Met, Anyone That Dislikes Her. Very Bright & Talented. Good Head On Her Shoulders. Great Parenting As Well.

[@catchmyflow1]

Uptown Girls is and will always be a one of Brittany Murphy's greatest movies and she really did glow different. Such a beautiful soul lost so soon💜

[@Thenewboidahlia]

The fact Uptown girls was the first movie she talks about is amazing, I love her for that 🥰

[@danbam3411]

People talk about Saroise Ronan but not Dakota Fanning when she’s just as talented. Always been my crush since I was a 10 year old watching that Cat in the Hat movie in 2003 and since then, she’s blossomed 🌺

[@LuvNickynGina4ever]

Saoirse*

[@danbam3411]

@@LuvNickynGina4ever her as well

[@soilgrasswaterair]

People appreciate both actors though! Their clips gets to s of views. No need to compare these two women :)

[@LuvNickynGina4ever]

@@soilgrasswaterair It's same person, lol, 🤣 I was just taking the piss by correcting the OP on the correct spelling of saoirse name, cos it's irish of origin and hard to spell.

[@corneliastreets]

what does saoirse have to do with dakota fanning

[@rmannayr2129]

DAKOTA WAS IN SO MANY CHILDHOOD MOVIES!

[@chancepryor]

I remember her being so iconic when I was a child. She WAS THE MOMENT! 💜😂

[@MicaelaHoo]

Dakota Fanning has matured into such a beautiful woman. I'm surprised she didn't talk about The Secret Life of Bees which is one of my favorite roles she played.

[@SoshiStars]

“But you said they were dingbats” - my fav Coraline line

[@harlielynn3078]

She has captivated my heart in every role she has ever been in. From Dreamer to War of the Worlds. From Coraline to I Am Sam. From Uptown Girls to Push. Her diversity and authenticity to each is unmatched. She is the definition of an actress.

[@ashleyjane6080]

Uptown Girls will forever and always be my favorite.

[@DD-jb1lq]

You only realise how iconic she is when you see these movies. She's amazing! She looks like the most wonderful person 💛☺️ and she's so beautiful and natural.

[@Satanna.avemaria]

The fact that she still has a coraline model in her house is just so… omg I love it 🥰💖🌸

[@savannahisherelol]

she was my childhood

[@aniraz90s]

She's so talented and I have always admired her growing up. She's a lot younger than me, yet she's very mature and experienced. I love the fanning sisters. Dakota and Elle are the best actresses in Hollywood.

[@madmuziq]

I just love Dakota. She's never in any drama or anything like that. Definitely one of my favorite actresses who grew up in the industry. ❤

[@karengerhardt6008]

Her performance as Brenda Collins in a CSI episode called Blood Drops was haunting. That was in 2000, and I've never forgotten it. She's incredible in everything I've seen her in!

[@scorpioj3]

Before Mckenna Grace, Dakota Fanning was the girl boss in child roles

[@BFFR5150]

One of the few child stars who was able to leave “unharmed” & able to still have some level of normal growing up. Great seeing her back & being able to look at her career in such a positive & bright light

[@jessica23claire]

I'm so glad she mentioned The Runaways, that's one of my favourite movies! She looked so much like Cherie it was scary, same deal with KStew as Joan. That was the first time I really saw how fantastic they both were.

[@isaiah9496]

I want a Coraline 2 so bad 😩

[@andreawest2194]

I always loved Dakota growing up

[@frozen_blondy2076]

One of my favorite movies of hers is the secret life of bees ! I adore that movie and shes just a great actress ... will never forget her on friends either ♡

[@katie.e.g.]

I still think of Dakota as being this cute little girl, having to constantly be reminded that she is 2 years younger than me!

[@marmedina3340]

she literally raised me

[@Sierralovescharles]

Coraline came out when I was about 12 yrs old & it's still one of my most favorite movies 💜

[@marleytfm]

I LOVE that she talked about Brittany. What an amazing soul💕

[@jennabethbeauty]

I want the Alienist to come back so bad. Literally one of the best shows I've seen.

[@sallysong536]

I LOVE CORALINE AND DAKOTA

[@ashleywilliams4665]

I was such a big fan of her growing up, I was only like 10 when Twilight New Moon came out and I remember loving the movie simply cus she was in it haha. I wanted to be her friend so bad. And now even though I don’t follow her career, I’m always so happy to see her work

[@robertmusgrave9236]

I’m 26 soon to be 27 about the same age as her and she looks stunning as Susan Ford. I remember seeing the cat in the hat and can’t believe she is so naturally beautiful and so humble and didn’t have problems like the other child stars have had in the past. You can say we grew up together and I might have crush on her.

[@greenbox12]

wow I never once wondered who voiced Coraline and had NO idea it was her but I can definitely hear it lol

[@imofficialcerzay]

Coraline will be always my childhood trauma, thank you dakota for our childhood awesome!

[@sailormoonXx]

I love her so much she was like a big sis I never had well I did but my sister was having issues so we didn't get along so I'd turn on a Dakota fanning movie and watch on repeat and wished how she was my friend and sister .🥺🤣💗 I'm now 24 & still love her.

[@lexiefournier]

She is a doll, I just love her

[@vft888]

Been a fan of Dakota since the Uptown Girl era haha she's sooo cute! 😍❤

[@MusicTyler10]

Darn she’s made sooo many movies, I was hoping she would talk about Man on Fire, Hide and Seek, Secret Life of Bees, and War of the Worlds! lol still an awesome video, we’re exactly the same age so I literally grew up with her 😊

[@dianacardoso2804]

She was on trapped movie. Stunning performance. I love her on friends and wide and seek

[@markatas4355]

Her as Pita in Man on Fire will always be the most iconic for me...

[@tUiDo4]

It's crazy because I grew up watching Dakota on screen and I never knew me and her was the same age. When her younger sister came out on screen in Maleficent I didn't think they looked alike. Only in certain facial features, but now that I am seeing Dakota with the long blonde hair Im like OMGEE they ARE twins! Lol. Love Dakota. She's such a great actress.

[@Fullytumblr123]

I loved that she talked about Uptown Girls 😭😭😭

[@stephaniebrown3788]

She was so cute as a kid and Man on fire she made me laugh and cry….good acting

[@naomicanales6875]

I feel Dakota has had such a good career I swear like every movie I've seen with her in it has been a good one!!

[@hayley4514]

Just re-watched secret life of bees & I'm obsessed with her

[@ghostie7790]

gosh, she was so good, in every thing she did. She had a classic air about her.

[@zaneclone]

A fabulous (and stunning) actress- one of the few who can act with a "look" only- which is why I'm surprised by the absence of "Brimstone"- where she plays half of the movie without the power of speech !

[@AD-pt5iy]

My mom gave her allergy shots briefly when she was really little. I’ll never forget the first time she saw the cat in the hat trailer. She jumped back and grabbed the couch and screamed “IS THAT DAKOTA????” She said she always talked about how she was gonna be famous one day 🥺

[@LaBellesGrace]

Once an inspiration, always an inspiration. Absolutely adore Dakota even after all these years. Her style is to die for, to top it off!

[@nayeligallardo48]

Rewatching Coraline right now lover that movie since i was little 💕💕

[@TearYouApart360]

Coraline is my all time Stop-Motion Animated Film. She was great in that movie.

[@chandlerhamlyn5221]

She is so poised and well spoken. Very grateful as well. Makes her very like-able.

[@maetaylor5677]

so young, shes my age and yet i look up to her shes a icon in movie history.

[@foundme7768]

Omg Dakota I didn't recognize you! You grew up so fast wow the years have been so good!!

[@anthonydio7829]

It's been fun watching her grow from little girl into a stunningly beautiful young woman. She's so bubbly and alive.

[@Angelica2020]

What a beauty! She has been out favorite since Man on Fire. Great actress!

[@kindlykaren1313]

I have loved her since I was a kid! We’ve grown up together and she’s so talented! Love this

[@CleopatraPhilopator]

I have always liked her work! I think she’s a marvelous actress, since she was very young.

[@brittnis7294]

dakota fannings career is so impressive for how down to earth she seems

[@lapared1970]

Dakota is simply great, so talented and beauty woman...

[@abby-gq8rb]

What about man on fire!!😭I was waiting for her to talk about one of my favorites!!!!

[@mollysaurus02]

Uptown Girls always makes me cry😢. It’s so sweet and beautiful💝✨

[@ninaalexandrazelenak2005]

Coraline is such an amazing movie! It must have been so fun to get to witness it being made!

[@alexandrawilson5821]

Runaways and Coraline are in my top movies, love Dakota!!!

[@NyxSpirit]

She is so gorgeous and classy! I wish Hollywood was more like this. I’d love to see her dress up/Cosplay as Coraline in real life!

[@mollycblaeser]

She's just a year younger than me, so it felt like we grew up together as kids. I loved her in 'Dreamer' -- especially she got to play a little girl with her own horse, my dream!

[@liamniki1488]

AHH This was sooo fun to watch !!! Great to see Dakota on screen !!

[@mondler107]

My favorite actress my entire childhood, and still love all of her movies. Many are in my top 10 movies including I Am Sam, Secret Life of Bees and Uptown Girls ❤

[@slpy.flower]

i could literally listen to her talk all day long!! she seems like such a pure, kind hearted person!! 💖🌸

[@suestylevibes2363]

The way that she only said positive things about the Cat in the Hat is so pure. Love her!

[@nasjiaglenn1869]

I wanted the purple and green dress from The Cat in The hat so badly!

[@ohtam5598]

I wanted to become every one of her characters as a child!!! So jealous of the costumes she got to wear ✨

[@Gorgeousbaebeauty]

Yesss coraline was ALWAYS one of my favorite movies from her !

[@JayeVee]

She was such a cutie when I was growing up watching her when she was still young 🤧 I actually had a crush on her...

[@daveevise]

After she starts talking about coraline I can’t stop hearing coraline

[@IpodAdvance]

i wish she talked about secret life of bees. many of her films made for a good childhood i can’t believe she’s 28

[@vees_adventures]

She’s such a great actor with so much experience

[@TacShooter]

What is more joyful than young Dakota Fanning? Dakota & Elle Fanning together. I've only seen it once, but there were so many giggles.

[@lakneeshalaughs4569]

I loved her in trapped and uptown girls!! She was in so many great movies though

[@Rainemiracles]

I loved her in "Trapped" as well! She really played that part!

[@momjeans9238]

Such a fan girl of the Fanning's! They are so incredible.

[@manal-sb1zk]

Elegant, smart and undeniably talented actor who has given nothing but phenomenol performances. And I'm so happy to see she had a safe journey in this industry as a child star. So humble and mature.

[@aksez2u]

What a sweetheart. I haven't seen all of those movies but she was great in the ones I have seen. And I loved her in the Alienist.

[@kage122]

such a great catalogue of work

[@bee6122]

She's a freakin icon, she's been in so many amazing things it's hard to remember everything

[@lemonherb1]

Glad to see she's had a robust career. I remember seeing her in the Taken TV series and was impressed with her talent then.

[@MomoLuv49]

We need her in more movies bro

[@LittleRedMoon16]

I love every movie she’s in

[@rosedavies8505]

shes in so many of my fav movies??? pop off queen

[@frankG335]

She looks so elegant! Wow! What a gorgeous dress! She has fantastic fashion sense!