Elle Fanning Biography, Age, Height, Family, Movies & Net Worth 2026

Elle Fanning is an American actress known for Maleficent, The Great, and A Complete Unknown. Born in Georgia and raised in Los Angeles, she grew from a child star into one of Hollywood’s most loved leading ladies.

Her soft voice, bold fashion, and strong acting range made her famous worldwide. As of September 2026, fans follow her for new films, hit TV shows, and red-carpet moments.

Quick Facts

If you love Elle Fanning, you likely follow stars like Dakota Fanning, Anya Taylor-Joy, Florence Pugh, Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Margot Robbie, and Lily-Rose Depp. They all lead the new wave of young Hollywood actresses in film, TV, and fashion.

Early Life & Education

Elle Fanning biography starts in Conyers, Georgia. She was born on April 9, 1998, as Mary Elle Fanning.

Her mom, Heather Joy Arrington, played tennis pro. Her dad, Steven Fanning, played minor league baseball and worked in electronics sales.

Her older sister is Dakota Fanning, already a child star. Elle grew up watching Dakota on sets. That sparked her own love for acting.

The family moved to Los Angeles for the sisters’ careers. Elle was raised in a tight, supportive home with strong Southern roots.

She went to Campbell Hall School in Studio City. It is a private Episcopal school. She balanced classes with film shoots.

Teachers called her creative and kind. She loved ballet, drama club, and storybooks. She also loved dressing up and playing pretend.

Elle started acting at age 2. Her first job was playing the younger version of Dakota’s character in I Am Sam (2001). She did not even need to audition at first.

By age 4, she booked her own roles without her sister. Casting directors loved her natural charm and bright blue eyes.

Career Journey and What’s New in 2026

Elle Fanning’s career spans over two decades. She moved from cute child roles to serious lead parts. She now acts and produces.

Child Star Beginnings: 2001 – 2010

Elle made her debut in I Am Sam (2001). She then appeared in Taken (2002) and Daddy Day Care (2003).

Her breakout came with Because of Winn-Dixie (2005) and Babel (2006). Critics praised her calm and mature acting at a young age.

In 2007, she starred in The Nines and Reservation Road. In 2008, she voiced Mei in the English version of Ponyo.

Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere (2010) changed her path. She played Cleo at age 11. The film won the Golden Lion at Venice.

Teen Breakthrough: 2011 – 2019

In 2011, J.J. Abrams cast her in Super 8. The sci-fi hit made her a teen star. She earned a Saturn Award nomination.

She then led Ginger & Rosa (2012) and Maleficent (2014) as Princess Aurora. Maleficent earned over $758 million worldwide.

She worked with top directors. She starred in Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon (2016) and Mike Mills’ 20th Century Women (2016).

In 2017, she led Coppola’s The Beguiled at Cannes. In 2019, she returned for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil with Angelina Jolie.

She also starred in Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York (2019). By 20, she had over 40 credits and Cannes jury duty.

The Great and Adult Stardom: 2020 – 2024

In 2020, Elle took the role of Catherine the Great in Hulu’s The Great. The show ran for three seasons until 2023.

Her comic timing won praise. She earned Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice nominations for Best Actress in a Comedy.

She also starred in The Girl from Plainville (2022) as Michelle Carter. She showed a dark, dramatic side.

In 2023, she launched Lewellen Pictures with her sister Dakota. Their goal is to back female-led stories.

In 2024, she played Sylvie Russo in A Complete Unknown opposite Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan. The film earned Oscar buzz and box office success.

Recent Activity in 2026

In 2026, Elle Fanning stays busier than ever. She leads Predator: Badlands (2025-2026 release) as Thia. It is her first big sci-fi action lead.

The film opened strong in theaters in late 2025 and trends on streaming in 2026. Fans love her dual role and physical stunt work.

As of September 2026, she headlines Apple TV+ series Margo’s Got Money Troubles with Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer. She plays Margo, a young mom who turns to OnlyFans to pay bills.

She also wrapped The Nightingale with her sister Dakota. It is their first film together as adults. Release is set for late 2026.

On the fashion side, she remains a Cartier ambassador and Met Gala favorite. Her 2026 Cannes looks went viral on TikTok and Instagram.

Elle Fanning Movies and TV Shows List

• I Am Sam (2001) – Lucy at age 2
• Daddy Day Care (2003) – Jamie
• Babel (2006) – Debbie Jones
• Super 8 (2011) – Alice Dainard
• Maleficent (2014) – Princess Aurora
• The Neon Demon (2016) – Jesse
• 20th Century Women (2016) – Julie Hamlin
• The Beguiled (2017) – Alicia
• Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) – Aurora
• The Great (2020-2023) – Catherine the Great – 30 episodes
• The Girl from Plainville (2022) – Michelle Carter
• A Complete Unknown (2024) – Sylvie Russo
• Predator: Badlands (2025) – Thia
• Margo’s Got Money Troubles (2026) – Margo Millet

Learn more about her full credits on Elle Fanning on IMDb.

Personal Life

Elle Fanning keeps her private life calm. She lives in Los Angeles and New York. She stays close to her family.

Her parents still guide her choices. Her sister Dakota is her best friend and business partner. They talk daily.

Family

• Father: Steven J. Fanning – Former baseball player
• Mother: Heather Joy Arrington – Former tennis player
• Sister: Dakota Fanning – Actress, born 1994
• Grandmother: Jill Arrington – Former ESPN reporter
• Aunt: Jill Arrington – Sportscaster

Relationship and Boyfriend in 2026

As of 2026, Elle Fanning dates Gus Wenner. He is the CEO of Rolling Stone. They went public in 2023.

They met through mutual friends in New York. They walk red carpets together but keep details private. Paparazzi often spot them in SoHo and Los Feliz.

Elle says she likes a partner who respects her work. She told press she values humor, kindness, and privacy.

Dating History and Affairs

• Dylan Beck (2014-2016): High school sweetheart, often seen at prom and games.
• Zalman Band (2017-2018): Briefly linked during The Beguiled press tour.
• Max Minghella (2018-2023): Actor-director, met on Teen Spirit. Long-term live-in relationship.
• Gus Wenner (2023-Present): Current boyfriend in 2026.

Hobbies and Community Work

Elle loves ballet, vintage fashion, and cooking. She collects film cameras and art books. She enjoys hiking with her dog.

She supports gender equality and youth arts. She works with the Cannes Film Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer. She also backs Planned Parenthood and UNICEF events.

Awards & Achievements

• Primetime Emmy Nomination (2022): Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for The Great
• Golden Globe Nominations (2021, 2022, 2023): Best Actress TV Comedy for The Great
• Critics Choice Nominations: Best Actress in Comedy Series and Best Actress for A Complete Unknown ensemble
• Saturn Award Nomination (2011): Best Young Actor for Super 8
• Venice Film Festival (2010): Golden Lion winning film Somewhere – lead role
• Cannes Film Festival (2019): Youngest jury member at age 21
• Hollywood Critics Association (2024): Ensemble honor for A Complete Unknown
• Teen Choice & Young Artist Awards: Multiple wins for Maleficent and Super 8

Physical Statistics

Elle Fanning stands tall at 5 ft 9 in. That height helps her shine on runways and red carpets.

She weighs around 57 kg. She keeps fit with ballet, Pilates, and light cardio. She does not follow strict diets.

Her body type is slim. Her measurements are about 34-24-35 inches. Her blonde hair and blue eyes are her trademarks.

She has no known tattoos. She favors natural makeup. Stylists call her a modern fashion muse.

Quotes

“I never want to play the same character twice. I want to keep pushing and trying scary things.”

“My sister is my best friend. We grew up in this together, and I would not have it any other way.”

“Fashion is like acting to me. You get to become someone else for a night.”

Controversies

Elle Fanning has a clean image. She avoids major scandals. Still, a few moments sparked talk.

In 2016, The Neon Demon faced backlash for violent scenes. Elle defended the film as art about beauty pressure.

In 2019, her casting in Woody Allen’s film drew debate. She said she regretted not knowing more at the time.

In 2022, some criticized The Girl from Plainville for telling a real crime story. Elle said she aimed to show mental health with care.

Favorites

• Favorite Movie: The Wizard of Oz and Titanic
• Favorite Actor: Marilyn Monroe and Cate Blanchett
• Favorite Food: Pasta, pancakes, and Southern fried chicken
• Favorite Color: Pastel pink and cream
• Favorite Designer: Miu Miu, Gucci, and Alexander McQueen
• Favorite Book: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Favorite City: Paris and New York
• Favorite Sport: Ballet and tennis

Earnings and Net Worth in 2026

Elle Fanning net worth is estimated at $15 million in 2026. Most income comes from films, TV, and brand deals.

She earned about $1 million for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. For The Great, reports say she made $250,000 per episode in later seasons.

For A Complete Unknown and Predator: Badlands, her pay rose to $2-3 million per film. Producing adds more.

Brand deals boost her wealth. She works with Cartier, Miu Miu, and Tiffany & Co. Each deal pays six to seven figures per year.

She owns a home in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, bought for $2.3 million. She also rents in New York for work in 2026.

Interesting Facts

• Her full name is Mary Elle Fanning. She uses her middle name as her first name.
• She is the younger sister of Dakota Fanning by four years.
• She learned ballet for years and still trains in 2026.
• She was home-schooled on film sets but graduated with her class.
• She became a Cannes jury member at 21, the youngest in history at that time.
• She voices characters in Ponyo and Astro Boy.
• She loves vintage dresses and owns over 100 archival pieces.
• She is left-handed when writing but right-handed in sports.

Did You Know Already?

Did you know Elle got her first role at age 2 without auditioning? She just copied her sister Dakota.

Did you know she almost played Princess Rapunzel? She auditioned for Disney’s Tangled voice role.

Did you know she speaks some French? She learned it for The Beguiled and Paris fashion weeks.

Did you know she and Dakota will finally co-star in The Nightingale? Fans waited years for this sister film in 2026.

Social Media Links

Elle Fanning connects with millions of fans online. She posts behind-the-scenes clips, fashion shoots, and film updates.

• Instagram: @ellefanning – 7M+ followers in 2026
• X (Twitter): @ElleFanning – Official updates
• Facebook: Elle Fanning Official
• YouTube: Interviews and trailers via studio channels
• TikTok: Viral clips from The Great and red carpets

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Elle Fanning grew from a sweet child actor into a bold Hollywood leader. Her work in 2026 proves her range in drama, comedy, and action.

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