Former American athlete and businessman Steven Fanning became famous not for being in films or winning awards, but for having two daughters who became successful actors. Many people want to find out who Steven Fanning is so they can get to know the father of the well-known Fanning family.
This person has gained recognition as a parent due to his ability to be calm, as well as his dedication to providing his children with a supportive upbringing. He chose to not be focused on the attention that celebrity parents may attract through the media, and instead puts his attention on raising his daughters to have a normal and stable childhood.
Table of Contents
ToggleQuick Bio of Steven Fanning
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steven J. Fanning |
| Date of Birth | May 16, 1967 |
| Age | 58 years (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) |
| Profession | Former baseball player, salesman |
| Famous For | Father of Dakota Fanning & Elle Fanning |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Wife | Heather Joy Arrington |
| Children | Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning |
| Net Worth | Estimated $100kâ$500k |
Early Life and Background
Mr Fanning was born and raised in the US and comes from a typical American middle class background. His upbringing was one of simplicity and instilled in him a strong sense of hard work and discipline. He has always had a passion for sports, particularly baseball, since a very young age.
Little is known about his School education; however, the quality of life he experienced as a child influenced his ability to become an excellent parent and a responsible person. These traits were instrumental for him in becoming a parent to two working child actors.
Steven Fanning Age and Physical Appearance
One of the most common questions people have when they see Steven Fanning is “How old is he?” Due to his youthful appearance, many people are surprised to learn that he was born in 1967 and is now in his late 50s. Standing 6’3″, he stood out during his time playing baseball, as well as due to being an accomplished athlete.
He maintained a strong athletic build throughout his career, and therefore has continued to exercise, eat right and live an active lifestyle after retiring from professional athletics.
Baseball Career and Early Profession
Steven Fanning is not only the celebrity parent of the Fanning sisters, but he has also made a name for himself as a professional athlete. Before reaching this status, he played professional baseball (minor leagues) with the St. Louis Cardinals. Although he never made it to Major League Baseball, he learned many valuable skills, including discipline and teamwork.
After quitting baseball, Fanning took a job selling electronics. This allowed him the ability to provide for his family’s needs while supporting his daughters’ acting careers, and helped them transition to Los Angeles.
Marriage to Heather Joy Arrington
Steven Fanning Heather Joy Arrington are very popular search terms; in fact, both got married in 1992. Heather Joy was once a top level athlete, and therefore a great match as steven fanning’s wife.
Heather Joy and Steven Fanning were married for over 25 years; in fact they shared the experience of having children and raising them together in a caring, balanced way, instilling them with a solid set of values despite being in and out of Hollywood.
Is Steven Fanning Married Now?
Many people want to learn if Steve Fanning is still married nowdays. The answer is no; he divorced Heather Joy Arrington in 2018. Their separation was amicable, and it was due to individual differences.
Even after their divorce, both parents are financially contributing to support their daughters’ well-being. Throughout the entire process, neither party engaged in any public disagreements with one another, demonstrating that both Steve and Heather have matured after their marital relationship was terminated.

Steven Fanning Children: Dakota and Elle
Dakota and Elle Fanning are two beautiful daughters of Steven Fanning. Dakota was born in 1994 and became well-known at a young age when she starred in the movie I Am Sam. Her performance impressed the entire entertainment industry.
Elle Fanning was born in 1998 and has achieved her own success through films such as Maleficent as well as the television series The Great. Their parents are credited by both girls, for helping them maintain a healthy perspective on life.
Relationship With Dakota Fanning
Analyzing searches for Dakota Fanning and Steven Fanning indicate a high level of interest in their relationship. As Dakota began her career, Steven provided strong guidance to her while also keeping her childhood safe.
He made certain that she maintained a balance between school and family life as well as acting. As a result, Dakota developed into an extremely confident actress who is well-respected and has not been involved in any significant controversies.
Relationship With Elle Fanning
Steven Fanning raised Elle in a similar fashion, providing encouragement to be creative without pressuring her to be famous. Elle was able to gradually develop her own unique acting style over time.
Steven’s parenting philosophy was to give their daughters the freedom they deserved while also providing them with guidance so that they could grow as individuals in their own right and achieve success.
Steven Fanning Net Worth
The net worth of Steven Fanning is a big question for many people. Unlike his daughters, he has earned a lot of money from movies and acting. His estimated net worth is from $100,000-$500,000.
Steven Fanning’s net worth comes from his baseball playing days, sales jobs he held over his career, and the longstanding stabilization of his family unit throughout time. The true value of Steven Fanning’s wealth is thought to be in the accomplishments and happiness of his children.
Steven Fanning Wiki Style Overview
While many people search for Steven Fanning’s Wikipedia page, the reality is that there isn’t a dedicated page on the platform to represent Steven Fanning independently. However, Steven is frequently referenced in biographies concerning Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning.
In fact, much of the information available publicly regarding Steven Fanning details his role of parenting and supporting his daughters, and being a former professional athlete and parent managing the difficult issues concerning the entertainment industry.
Steven Fanning Height and Personality
The height of Steven Fanning has generated a lot of discussion because of his impressive stature (6â3â) but also his calm and reserved nature.
He tends not to use social media to showcase himself or reach out to the public, which leads to speculation. As described by those who know him personally, Steven’s character is calm, respectful and family-oriented as opposed to being obsessed with fame.
Steven Fanning Hermanos (Siblings)
Steven Fanning has many siblings – he was born into a huge family, so he has many brothers and sisters. The names of these siblings are not publicly disclosed, but his family ties are very strong for him.
His upbringing in such a large family also helped him learn about responsibility, and this has influenced how he raised his own children.

Life Away From the Spotlight
Steven Fanning has led a relatively unassuming lifestyle since his daughters rose to stardom, foregoing acting or participating in TV programming or using interviews to garner popularity.
His philosophy was that children should stand on their own merit, not through their parents. This way of thinking has allowed Steven to be well-renowned throughout Hollywood as well as respected for his decisions.
Parenting Philosophy and Values
Discipline, education and emotional balance were important principles to Steven Landing. He kept his daughters focused on completing their education, while at the same time working in film as he wished.
He was cautious of allowing Hollywoodâs pressure to have a large influence on his daughters. As a result of his careful formulation of their upbringing, Dakota and Elle were able to develop, without experiencing any significant personal difficulties.
Public Image and Media Attention
Steven Fanning is not a celebrity parent who pursued fame. Instead, Steven gained publicity through the success of his daughters.
Steven is a highly-respected father figure in the industry of child acting, because he is a parent who avoids the limelight but has achieved great accomplishments based upon how well his daughters are doing.
Later Years and Current Life
Currently, Steven Fanning maintains a personal life that is private and stays related to his family while maintaining a peaceful lifestyle away from any public appearances.
While attending certain events with his daughters is not uncommon, he tends to be very much like everyone else, keeping most of his activities out of the public view.
Why Steven Fanning Matters
The significance of Steven Fanning’s account is that it demonstrates the impact that quality parenting can have in creating successful futures for individuals. He is an example of how much fame is more than just being in the public eye.
His legacy is evident in the professionally balanced and successful lives of his daughters, Dakota and Elle.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Steven Fanning?
Steven Fanning is a former American baseball player and the biological father of both Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning.
2. Is Steven Fanning a married man?
At this time, Steven Fanning does not have a spouse due to the completion of his divorce from Heather Joy Arrington in 2018 after many years together.
3. What is Steven Fanning’s height and date of birth?
Steven Fanning is 58 years old; he was born on May 16, 1967, and is approximately six feet three inches tall.
4. What is Steven Fanning’s estimated net worth?
Steven Fanning’s estimated net worth is between $100,000 and $500,000 as of October 2023. Most of his earnings are derived from sports and various business endeavors.
5. What is the relationship between Dakota Fanning and Steven Fanning?
Steven Fanning is Dakota Fanning’s biological father and was instrumental in supporting Dakota’s acting career during her formative years.
Final Thoughts on Steven Fanning
Although Steven Fanning is not an A-list celebrity, he has made a significant contribution to the film industry as an example of commitment, encouragement and unassuming leadership.
Steven’s life serves as a reminder of the countless unsung heroes within the entertainment business; those people who quietly support those who have achieved success.
