All About Dakota and Elle Fanning's Parents, Steven Fanning and Hannah Joy Arrington

Mar. 15, 2025

Steve Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning and Hannah Joy Fanning at The Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services' 2008 Mentor Awards Dinner and Fashion Show on Octorber 22, 2008 in Universal City, California.Photo:Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

DakotaandElle Fanning’s parents are endlessly supportive.

Steve Fanning and Hannah Joy Arrington raised their daughters in Georgia before moving to Los Angeles for the young actors’ blossoming careers. Both former professional athletes, Steve and Hannah never pressured their daughters to pursue sports and instead encouraged their passion for performing.

“I feel really lucky and I think it’s got a lot to do with my family — our parents are so removed from this business, and so happy just to be our parents,” Dakota toldNJ.comin 2010.

Dakota and Elle, who both got their big break in 2001’sI Am Samat 7 and 3 years old respectively, have maintained a close relationship with their family.

“My mom and I have been pretty much together my whole life, because when I was working before I was 18 she was always with me,” she toldThe Telegraphin 2012. “So I’ve missed her a lot, and I’ve missed my whole family and my house and dog, but then I appreciate it all so much more when I go home.”

Elle went on to star in Disney’sMaleficentand the Hulu seriesThe Great, and Dakota is known for films likeCharlotte’s Web,The Twilight SagaandOcean’s 8.

Here’s everything to know about Dakota and Elle Fanning’s parents, Steven Fanning and Hannah Joy Arrington.

They were professional athletes

Steven Fanning and Dakota Fanning attend the Miami Heat vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on November 30, 2014 in New York City.James Devaney/GC Images

James Devaney/GC Images

Both of Dakota and Elle’s parents were professional athletes.

Steven played minor league baseball and was drafted to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988. He ended his athletic career in 1995 as his eldest daughter began acting, going on to work as an electronics salesman.

Hannah, for her part, played professional tennis and attempted to get Dakota interested in the sport.

“My mom started me on tennis when I was 3,” Dakota told NJ.com. “That’s what I was going to be, a tennis player. And I guess I could have been. But I don’t like getting sweaty. I don’t like getting hot. And my mom sort of realized, ‘Oh my God, she’s not going to be an athlete.’ That really came out of the blue for them.”

They raised their daughters in Georgia before moving to Los Angeles

Dakota Fanning and her mom Hannah Joy Arrington.Dakota Fanning Instagram

Dakota Fanning Instagram

Dakota and Elle were both born and raised in Conyers, Georgia. After splitting time between Georgia and California for Dakota’s burgeoning acting career, the family permanently moved to Los Angeles when the young actor was just 6 years old, pertheNew York TimesMagazine.

Though she left Georgia at a young age, Elle is still in touch with her Southern roots. During a September 2020 interview withVanity Fair, theMaleficentstar shared some Georgia slang, explaining that in her home state, people tend to say “fall” rather than “autumn” and that “tea” is synonymous with sweet tea.

She also claimed that Waffle House is “the best restaurant in the world” with “the best breakfast in existence.”

Hannah is distantly related to the royal family

Hannah Joy Arrington. ; Catherine, Princess of Wales during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022.Dakota Fanning Instagram ; Chris Jackson/Getty

Dakota Fanning Instagram ; Chris Jackson/Getty

This means that they are also the 21st cousins ofKate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. Kate’s mother,Carole Middleton, is a great-granddaughter of Edward III as well.

They helped their famous daughters have a “normal” childhood

Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning at the Archlight Theatre in Hollywood, California.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Despite Dakota’s success as a young actor, she says her parents gave her a “normal” childhood. While promotingThe Twilight Sage: Eclipse in 2010, she told NJ.com that she had typical interests as a kid, as she was in Girl Scouts and collected dolls. At the time of the interview, she was a high school junior taking college admission tests.

“I don’t feel like I’ve missed out on any milestones,” Dakota told the outlet. “I think acting’s only enhanced my life. I’ve been to so many more places than the average 16-year-old, I’ve met so many people from so many walks of life.”

Dakota continued, “I feel really lucky, and I think it’s got a lot to do with my family — our parents are so removed from this business, and so happy just to be our parents. I can honestly say I have a completely normal life. Probably more normal than normal people!”

They fostered a creative environment in their home

Dakota and Elle Fanning with their mom Hannah Joy Arrington.Elle Fanning Instagram

Elle Fanning Instagram

Dakota and Elle have both spoken about performing around the house as children, often making their parents watch them.

During a Q&A at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, Dakota explained that shefell into acting “coinidentally”after her mom channeled her creative energy into theater camp.

“I just liked to play around the house and make up scenarios and my mom kind of noticed that I was disinterested in all of the lessons she put me in,” the actor said. “I just wanted to play at home so she put me in a drama camp to see if I liked doing that.”

They taught their daughters to approach acting like a sport

Elle Fanning and her mom Hannah Joy Arrington.Elle Fanning Instagram

Though their daughters didn’t follow in their athletic footsteps, Steven and Hannah inevitably ingrained a sense of discipline into them.

“I look at doing a scene as a sport,” Elle toldPorterin 2019. “I’m gonna stay hydrated, I’m gonna get fueled up. I’m disciplined that way.”

They supported their daughters’ acting careers

Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning attend the Miu Miu Women’s Tales # 15 Screening at The Curzon Mayfair on February 19, 2018 in London, England.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Steven and Hannah were always supportive of their daughters’ early interest in acting.

“They quickly realized that both my sister and I were different from what they had expected their kids to be,” Dakota recalled to NJ.com. “And they supported that. Really, they sacrificed so much for us, basically gave up the life they had planned.”

TheRunawaysactor added that her parents ultimately just “wanted us to be happy.”

“I remember them saying, ‘Find a job you enjoy doing so it’s not a job. Do what you love,' " she said.

“She changed the course of her own life for me. She put her own dreams to the side so I could achieve mine,” she said,

“She allowed me to have my own independence and stand on my own two feet, to find my footing as a young woman and as an actor, but she was always there,” she said. “There was never a day on set my entire life until I was 18 that she wasn’t there. I wonder if anyone can love me as much as she does.”

They divorced in 2018

“Irreconcilable differences have arisen between the parties which led to the irremediable breakdown of the marriage, making it impossible for the parties to live together as husband and wife,” the documents stated.

Steven had previously filed for divorce in 2016 but the couple reconciled. He filed again in January 2018.

source: people.com