Elle Fanning didn’t become Oscar-nominated overnight. No, the actor, 27, won best supporting actress for her sensitive turn in Joachim Trier’s film emotional valueactually – wait for it – has been working for a quarter of a century. She started out as a child star alongside her sister, Dakota, and has since gone from strength to strength, flitting between blockbusters and indies, thrillers and surreal comedies, gorgeous period dramas and contemporary dramas. In fact, it’s a wonder it took the Academy this long to get this done.
Ahead of Oscar night on March 15, we’re taking a look at 14 of her most memorable performances to date.
I’m Sam (2001)
Elle’s screen debut at age three was a blessing: opposite Sean Penn in Jesse Nelson’s family drama, she played the younger version of her sister Dakota’s character, Lucy, his spirited youngest daughter. From the beginning, she was a darling.


