Steve Fanning and Hannah Joy Arrington raised their daughters in the heart of Georgia before leaping to Los Angeles to support their burgeoning careers in acting. Both Steve and Hannah, having been former professional athletes, took a different approach by not pushing their daughters toward sports but instead fostering their passion for performing.
“I consider myself fortunate, and a big part of that is my family. Our parents are so detached from the entertainment business; they’re just happy being our parents,” shared Dakota, who, along with Elle, entered the limelight with the film ‘I Am Sam’ in 2001 at ages 7 and 3, respectively. Despite their early success, the sisters have maintained a strong bond with their family.
“My mom and I have been practically inseparable. Even when I started working before turning 18, she was always by my side. I’ve missed her a lot and my entire family, along with my home and dog. But, coming back, I appreciate it all so much more,” expressed Elle.
Both Dakota and Elle’s parents had illustrious careers in sports. Steve, who played minor league baseball, was drafted to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988, concluding his athletic journey in 1995. Subsequently, he ventured into electronics sales. Meanwhile, Hannah, a former professional tennis player, initially tried to spark Dakota’s interest in the sport.
“My mom introduced me to tennis when I was just 3. That was supposed to be my path—a tennis player. I could have gone that route, but I discovered I don’t enjoy getting sweaty or hot. It was a surprise for them when they realized I wasn’t destined to be an athlete,” Dakota explained.
Dakota and Elle, born and raised in Conyers, Georgia, initially split their time between Georgia and California as Dakota’s acting career gained momentum. However, the family permanently relocated to Los Angeles when Dakota was just 6 years old.
Interestingly, the sisters have a royal connection through their mother, Hannah. Ancestry.com researchers unearthed historical documents revealing that Dakota and Elle are the 22nd great-granddaughters of King Edward III. This lineage makes them the 21st cousins of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales.
Dakota dismisses the notion of missing out on typical teenage milestones, asserting that acting has enriched her life. “I’ve been to so many places, and met people from various walks of life. I feel incredibly lucky, and much of that is thanks to my family, who are blissfully removed from the industry. I can genuinely say I lead a completely normal life—perhaps even more normal than others!”
The Fanning sisters’ interest in acting emerged organically. “We were doing it for ourselves; we weren’t like, ‘Oh, Mom and Dad, sit down, and we’re gonna perform for you.’ That was how we played,” Dakota shared. Her inclination towards drama was noticed by her mother, who, realizing Dakota’s disinterest in other activities, enrolled her in a drama camp to explore her passion.
Throughout their journey, Steven and Hannah remained unwavering in their support of their daughters’ early foray into the world of acting.