Mary Elle Fanning was born on April the 9th, 1998, started acting at an early age. She appeared in 'I Am Sam' when she was two years old. She did so again at the age of three, in the mini series, "Taken" in 2002; however it was 2003 when she won her first role where she was not playing a younger version of Dakota. The film was 'Daddy Day Care' and at the age of just 4, Elle was starring alongside some of the most popular funny names in Hollywood. Elle's talent was already starting to be recognized by critics and she relished in her first real experience of movie acting, saying ,
"I love being an actress and I just love working with Eddie Murphy".
Shortly after filming 'Daddy Day Care,' Elle went on to win the role of Ruth Cole in 'The Door in the Floor' alongside Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger. The film raised some difficult issues and Elle delivered a fantastic performance in some very difficult and intense scenes. The part had originally been intended for identical twins to share but Elle impressed the filmmakers so much with her audition, that she won the role on her own. She received much praise from not only critics for her performance, but also from her older co-stars. Kim Basinger was quoted as saying of Elle, "[she is] magically gifted. She is the most beautiful definition of a child. I simply fell in love with her". Later on in the year, Elle also filmed the movie "Because of Winn Dixie", based on a popular book of the same name, as Sweetie Pie Thomas, a friend of the leading character; and in episodes of the popular television shows, "CSI: Miami" and "Judging Amy".
In 2004, Elle spent time doing some modeling work for, amongst others, Bitty Baby, Luans Children’s Dresses, and Vogue Bambini. She also filmed en episode of "CSI: New York", and a small part in the independent film 'I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With.'
In 2005, 'Because of Winn Dixie' and 'I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With' where released, and Elle also filmed a short independent film, 'P.N.O.K', before heading off to Melbourne, Australia for three months with older sister Dakota to film 'Charlotte's Web.' Dakota plays the lead role of Fern, while Elle makes an appearance in the film as the character’s granddaughter in the future.
Elle followed up with a guest appearance on the popular TV show, "House" in 2006, and had several more projects in 2006 including "Law and Order," 'Babel,' 'Deja Vu,' and the TV miniseries "The Lost Room."
In January 2007, Elle attended the Sundance Film Festival in order to promote her movie 'The Nines'. That same year, she also starred in 'Day 73 with Sarah,' 'Reservation Road,' an episode of "Criminal Minds," and the pilot of "Dirty Sexy Money." She also filmed 'Nutcraker,' which is due out Christmas 2009. 2008 brought the film festival hit 'Phoebe in Wonderland' as well as 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.'
Elle is a very talented young actress with a bright future ahead of her.
