Who Played the Daughter in Field of Dreams
The daughter in Field of Dreams is played by Gaby Hoffmann, who portrayed the character Karin Kinsella. Gaby Hoffmann is an American actress known for roles in film and television, and her performance as Karin anchors the family drama in the movie. Learn more about the cast and character details on the official Field of Dreams page or the film database entry for the movie Field of Dreams on IMDb.
Gaby Hoffmann was a child actress during the filming of Field of Dreams, which was released in 1989. She later transitioned to adult roles and has continued acting in independent films and series. Her portrayal of Karin Kinsella is central to the film's emotional arc, especially in scenes involving family belief and sacrifice.
Character and Story Context
Karin Kinsella is the daughter of protagonist Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner. In the story, Ray builds a baseball diamond on his farm after hearing a mysterious voice, and Karin interacts with the ghostly appearances tied to the field. The character represents the next generation's connection to family legacy and forgiveness.
The film, directed by Phil Alden Robinson, adapts W.P. Kinsella's novel Shoeless Joe. Karin's role is pivotal in the father-daughter relationship, and her reactions to the supernatural events on the farm drive key plot moments. The movie also stars Amy Irving as Ray's wife Annie and James Earl Jones as Terence Mann.
Cast, Production, and Legacy
The main cast includes Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, Amy Irving as Annie Kinsella, and Gaby Hoffmann as Karin Kinsella. Supporting roles feature James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster, with production handled by Gordon Company and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film's production budget was approximately $30 million, and it grossed over $84 million worldwide.
Field of Dreams remains a landmark sports drama, frequently cited in lists of best baseball movies and family films. Gaby Hoffmann's early role is often highlighted in retrospectives about her career, which later included acclaimed work in Transparent and other projects. For more background on the film's production and legacy, see the Forbes overview of Field of Dreams or the Box Office Mojo page for Field of Dreams.