Elle Fanning is an American actress and the younger sister of award-winning actress Dakota Fanning

Elle was born Mary Elle Fanning in Conyers, Georgia, the daughter of Joy (née Arrington), who played tennis professionally, and Steve Fanning, who played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and now works as an electronics salesman in Los Angeles. Her maternal grandfather is football player Rick Arrington and her aunt is ESPN reporter Jill Arrington.

Fanning is of half German descent and her last name is of Irish origin. She and her family are members of the Southern Baptist Convention. She had been home-schooled all her life until 2007, but started school recently. She was quoted as saying "We're just normal sisters. We both go to school and we just play together."

Elle began her acting career by playing the younger version of her older sister Dakota's characters in both the mini-series Taken and the movie I am Sam. In 2002, at the age of four, Fanning won her first role independent of her sister, in the comedy Daddy Day Care.

In 2003, Elle filmed The Door in the Floor opposite Jeff Bridgesand Kim Basinger Anecdotal evidence of her young skill was seen in the decision to cast her in the role of Ruth in The Door in the Floor. The film's producers had originally planned to hire identical twins for the intense shooting schedule, but were so impressed with Fanning that they used only her.

Late in 2003, Elle filmed Because of Winn Dixie in the small role of Sweetie Pie Thomas. In 2004, she did voicework in the English dubbed version of Miyazaki's charming animated film My Neighbor Totoro, in the role of Mei. Later that same year, Elle filmed I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With. In early 2005, Fanning filmed scenes in Charlotte's Web as the "future granddaughter" of Fern Arable played by Dakota Fanning However, the scenes didn't make the final cut. In mid 2005, Elle played Debbie, the daughter of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchettin the Academy Award-winning film Babel. In early 2006, Elle filmed scenes in both The Nines and Déjà Vu. In mid 2006 she filmed The Lost Room a sci-fi TV mini-series.

By the end of 2006, Elle began to book lead roles. Her first being in Reservation Road playing Emma Learner, the grieving daughter of Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connelly The film deals with the aftermath of a tragic car accident in which Emma's brother is killed. Late in 2008, she had a small part in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as a younger version of Cate Blanchetts character (as opposed to Babel where Elle played her daughter). Mid-year 2007, Elle filmed Phoebe in Wonderland as the title role Phoebe. It is the fantastical tale of a little girl who won't - or can't - follow the rules. It also stars Felicity Huffmanand was released in early 2009.

From July to October 2007, Elle filmed Nutcracker: The Untold Story, playing Mary. Set in 1920's Vienna, this is a tale of a little girl whose godfather gives her a special doll one Christmas Eve. Elle filmed this movie in Budapest, Hungary. It is expected to be released late 2009.

In March 2008, Elle and her sister Dakota were scheduled to star in My Sister's Keeper, but the opportunity fell through when Dakota learned she would have to shave her head. They were immediately replaced by Abigail Breslinand Sofia Vassilieva