Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style

Who is Elle Fanning?

Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Elle Fanning is an American actress who, since her debut in the film I Am Sam (2001), has worked steadily in movies and television and was for a time perhaps best known as the younger sister of child star Dakota Fanning. She is especially recognized for her starring role as the Russian empress Catherine II in the Hulu show The Great (2020–23). Fanning also gained notice for portraying the eponymous author in Mary Shelley (2017) and Sylvie Russo (based on Bob Dylan’s former girlfriend Suze Rotolo) in A Complete Unknown (2024). In 2026 Fanning was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance in Sentimental Value (2025).