NEWSDakota Fanning: 14 Going on 40
Jan. 8 2009, Published 5:00 a.m. ET
Not many child stars can successfully transition to more mature film roles, but Dakota Fanning is proving she's no ordinary actress. At just 14, the young actress has already worked with Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington and Sean Penn.
Recently, she starred as a teenage girl coming of age in the turbulent 1960's in the Secret Life of Bees. And at this year's 20th Annual Palm Springs Film Festival Gala, Fanning received the prestigious Rising Star award from her Secret Life of Bees co-star, Paul Bettany.
"I have never been here before," the actress told OK!. "It's so amazing and so nice. I feel very lucky."
Fanning has accomplished quite a bit in her young professional life — something she says she hopes to keep adding to.
"You know there is so much that I want to do and I have my whole life ahead of me to to them. To act for the rest of my life, that's just really what I love. I am looking for what is to come."
- Heath Ledger Died With Stephen Gaghan's Script in His Bed: 'I Literally Collapsed,' Director Recalls of Hearing the News
- Heath Ledger's Daughter Matilda Is Taking a Year Off Before College to Spend Time With Late Father's Family in Australia
- Matilda Ledger Is The Spitting Image Of Her Late Father, Heath Ledger: Inside The 17-Year-Old's Life After Dad's Tragic Death
Dakota, who attends a public high school in L.A. and even joined the cheerleading squad, says she tries to keep her life as normal as possible.
"I think it's great... It's good to have that Hollywood lifestyle, and I am really fortunate to have both.
By Patricia Ramos
