<Ul> <Li> Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Smooter / Melanie Carmichael . She grew up in Pigeon Creek, Alabama and moved to New York City to follow her dreams . Now a noted fashion designer, she was engaged to the wealthy Andrew Hennings . <Ul> <Li> Dakota Fanning as Young Melanie </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Josh Lucas as Jake Perry . Perry is married to Melanie who has been his best friend since childhood . He lives in Pigeon Creek, Alabama . <Ul> <Li> Thomas Curtis as Young Jake </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Patrick Dempsey as Andrew Hennings . The son of New York City Mayor Kate Hennings, he is engaged to Melanie . </Li> <Li> Ethan Embry as Bobby Ray Bailey, one of Melanie's childhood friends . He is outed by Melanie and is a good friend to Jake . </Li> <Li> Mary Kay Place as Pearl Smooter, mother of Melanie . She is happily married to Earl Smooter . </Li> <Li> Fred Ward as Earl Smooter, Melanie's father . He enjoys participating in re-enactments of the Civil War . </Li> <Li> Candice Bergen as Mayor Kate Hennings . The mother of Andrew, she is wary of his relationship with Melanie . </Li> <Li> Jean Smart as Stella Kay Perry, the mother of Jake, Melanie's husband . She owns "Stella's", a local tavern . </Li> <Li> Melanie Lynskey as Lurlynn, who lives in Pigeon Creek and is a childhood acquaintance of Melanie . </Li> <Li> Courtney Gains as Sheriff Wade, a childhood friend of Melanie . </Li> <Li> Mary Lynn Rajskub as Dorothea, Wade's wife . </Li> <Li> Rhona Mitra as Tabatha Wadmore - Smith, one of Melanie's best friends from New York . </Li> <Li> Susannah Halling as the official leader of the Redneck Dancing Association . </Li> <Li> Nathan Lee Graham as Frederick Montana, Melanie's friend and mentor from New York . He is a fashion designer and friendly competitor . </Li> <Li> Kevin Sussman as Barry Lowenstein, assistant to Mayor Kate Hennings . </Li> <Li> Sean Bridgers as Eldon </Li> </Ul> <Li> Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Smooter / Melanie Carmichael . She grew up in Pigeon Creek, Alabama and moved to New York City to follow her dreams . Now a noted fashion designer, she was engaged to the wealthy Andrew Hennings . <Ul> <Li> Dakota Fanning as Young Melanie </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Ul> <Li> Dakota Fanning as Young Melanie </Li> </Ul> <Li> Dakota Fanning as Young Melanie </Li>

Who played young melanie in sweet home alabama