In 2006 at age 12, actress Dakota Fanning became one of the youngest members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The milestone still has not been met with an Oscar nomination for Fanning’s lead or supporting performances in any movie, including sci-fi film “War of the Worlds,” which received three technical nominations that same year.
Fanning, who turned 18 just days before the 84th Academy Awards honors the very best in cinema, continues to be snubbed while her fellow youngest members of the Academy are at least given one chance at competing for Oscar gold.
Anna Paquin, who joined the Academy at age 11 in 1994, is also the second-youngest actress to win an Oscar. Paquin received a golden statue for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama film “The Piano.”
This victory shows how it took little to no time for Paquin to be among the youngest Academy members and an Oscar-toting actress, yet Fanning lacks even one nomination after leading powerful performances in drama films such as “Hounddog,” which proved controversial due to the rape scenes featuring the young, then-underage performer.
Saoirse Ronan is also among the youngest members invited to join the Academy during their teenage years. Ronan’s performances in the romantic war drama “Atonement” and fantasy film “The Lovely Bones” caused the Academy to take notice. Recognition for her work did not stop at membership in this prestigious organization. Ronan also received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Atonement.”
It should not be difficult for the Academy to recognize Dakota Fanning as an actress who is worthy of an Oscar nomination. If the box office success of dramas like “The Secret Life of Bees” and critical acclaim for the live-action/animated film “Charlotte’s Web” are any indication, audiences have already noticed that Fanning is deserving of an Academy Award to call her own.
Check out coverage of the 84th Academy Awards on Yahoo! Movies