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Charlize Theron was yesterday tipped to play Anna Nicole Smith in the inevitable Hollywood version of the Playboy Playmate’s tumultuous life, as a legal battle raged over her body.
The South African actress emerged as the favourite to be cast in the role of Smith, who died last week. Theron won an Oscar in 2004 for her portrayal of a serial killer in Monster.
The race to make a film of Smith’s life began yesterday as a judge gave the go-ahead for Smith’s surgically enhanced 42-26-38 body to be embalmed for a possible open-casket funeral, after her lawyer revealed that she had already ordered her funeral dress.
“We want to preserve the beauty and model figure of Miss Smith,” Florida Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin said. “Beauty was important to her.”
Ron Rale, Smith’s lawyer, said the former stripper had ordered a dress for her own funeral after her son, Daniel, died of an apparent drug overdose in September — just three days after she gave birth to her daughter, Dannielynn. “There’s a dress Anna Nicole had. The dressmaker had been preparing a dress,” Mr Rale said.
Lawyers returned to court to fight over Smith’s corpse as her will was made public, creating new legal turmoil.
The 2001 document left all her property to her lawyer and longtime companion, Howard Stern, to hold in trust for her son Daniel, now deceased.
The 16-page will appeared to exclude five-month old Dannielynn, the “billion-dollar baby” at the centre of a tug-of-war between at least three men claiming to be the father.
In the will Smith, who stood to inherit a fortune from her billionaire late husband, wrote: “I have intentionally omitted to provide for my spouse and other heirs, including future spouses and children and other descendants now living and those hereafter born or adopted.” Mr Stern is listed as the father on Dannielynn’s birth certificate. But Larry Birkhead, Smith’s ex-boyfriend, is seeking DNA from her body to support his paternity claim. Prince Frederic von Anhalt, the husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, who claims that he had a decade-long affair with Smith, is also seeking a DNA test to determine if he fathered the baby.
Smith’s estranged sister has suggested that Dannielynn might have been conceived with frozen sperm from the centrefold’s exhusband, J. Howard Marshall, the Texas oilman.
Following Smith’s collapse at a Florida hotel on February 8, the authorities have begun investigating possible misconduct by her personal doctor, who allegedly prescribed her methadone under an alias.
Dr Sandeep Kapoor allegedly prescribed Smith the painkilling drug, on August 25, 2006, 13 days before she gave birth.
New allegations about Smith’s behaviour in the final months of her life became public yesterday in a lawsuit by a former nanny who was fired in November. Quethlie Alexis claimed that Smith, 39, tried to kill herself twice after the death of her 20-year-old son.
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I believe that Darcy Donavan should play Anna Nicole. In pictures that I've seen, Darcy and Anna look almost identical. It's amazing!!! I hope that they are looking at her for the role of Anna in the new movie...
Jason Nielson, Woods Cross, UTAH
There is an actress on One Life to Live who would be better at playing Anna than any well-known actresses. She plays Jessica and she has many similarities to Anna, and if enhanced, I think she could look almost like her. She also has the same kind of hair and mouth and aura. I think her real name is Bree Williamson. She also is a very very good actress.
Lin Anderson, Banning,
Is there any truth to the rumor that this will be the theme song for the movie?
Hole in the Soul
(of Anna Nicole)
Dr BLT (c) 2007
http://www.drblt.net/music/AnaNicole.mp3
And, BTW, if any of you hear rumors that Howard Stern is trying to purchase the rights to this song, these rumors are totally false.
Also, is there any truth to the rumor that she loved the Bee Gees? If so, allow me to also dedicate this one to her:
When the Bee Gees Were Three
Dr. BLT
words and music by Dr. BLT
http://www.drblt.net/music/beegees.mp3
Dr BLT, Bakersfield, CA
thank god she was laid to rest by her son she so loved, her mother should stay out of this and respect her last wishes instead of trying to cash in on her daughters misfortune.
sue, oakdale, minnesota
Biology does not make a father. Drop the DNA bullshit and allow Howard Stern to raise Anna Nicole's daughter in peace. This woman was disrespected, taunted and scorned by the majority in life (as if those who did so in her direction didn't need to focus on their own issues); show the woman some respect in death! She listed Howard as the father; let him be. She maybe had a reason to stray from her mother. If she didn't want her mother in her or her children's lives, that should be respected also. My God people. Leave her alone now and respect her last wishes.
Rebecca Kmitta, Renton, WA
Jesus!!!! This always happens in this country. The body is not even in the ground yet, and already there's talk about a movie about her life. Anything for a fast buck, it's disgusting. No matter what kind of life she lived, she was a human being, have some respect AMERICA! Let her rest in peace for Christ's sake! No one gave a rat's behind about her when she was alive, now everyone's so concerned about the baby when there's dollars signs behind her. Tipical USA! Hurrah! Absolutely sickening.
Martinez, JERSEY CITY, USA
Who cares?
David O'Dowd, Massillon, Ohio
Michele, doctors do sometimes describe more than one antidepressant, I've been looking into it.
Anyway, why are all these "fathers" fighting for the poor baby? Baby should be with Anna Nichole's widower, because it would be best for the baby. Who the real father is shouldn't make one blind bit of difference.
starling, Lancaster,
This is typical the American way. Anna Nicole Smith was ridiculed throughout her life for all sorts of reasons that essentially were rooted in our own base level insecurities. I met Anna twice and was shown such genuine kindess, that I would be hard pressed to ever change my opinion of someone so gentle. Was she ever show kindess through any media outlets? Only derision. It is deplorable that a movie is already in the works and she hasn't even been layed to rest! This fiasco is a glaring social mirror and refelcts all the depravity that srrounded her life from beginning to end. I'm sure that Anna's energy has been dispersed into a more positive permutation. Anna was a victim of the vultures who prayed on her kindness to only outwardly transform their heinous nature, but she has escaped.
Ramsey, Brooklyn, NY
Charlize Theron in the Anna Nicole Smith Story! - if the media fenzy is any clue, this could be the biggest box-office hit of all times. Charlize playing Anna will be as challenging and as brilliant as Jack Nickelson in the role of lunatic R.P. McMurphy. You know you will go to see it! Me too.
Other characters could be type-cast:
J. Howard Marshall: Clint Eastwood
Anna's mom: Hillary Clinton
Howard K. Stern: OJ Simpson
Daniel - Kenny from South Park
David, Camarillo, California
Hello! Does anyone smell murder maybe in the air? Gee, her son dies complaining of stomach ache, and then she has a stomach flu, and they both die while sleeping......
Why would anyone wait so long to get the DNA of Dannielynn? Come on now, just tell us who the father is.
And funny that her late elderly husband's son died too.
Once I saw the video of the doctor who prescribed the Methadone kissing her neck and the other two men were there (Birkhead and Stern) I got to thinking, "what the heck was that all about?" No one said that her son was prescribed two antidepressants. What is that all about? Gee, I take one. I never heard of a doctor giving two at one time. What gives?
Why would somone put in their will that no future children would get anything? If she loved her son so so much, I would think she would want another child to get money. Methadone while 8 mos pregnant. Gee. My late husband died of AIDS at 33yrs old. I had to raise our daughter who was 4 at the time.
Michele A.
Michele, Kissimmee, FL
I think Jim Carrey's girlfriend, Jennifer McCarthy? Should play her. I think she is funny but I bet she would do a great job.
I said my peice on what I already think of her death and her son.
Michele, Kissimmee, FL
Too much hearsay can lead to our own destruction of thought. We did not know Anna Nicole yet many believe everything they hear on the tv. The only people that knew her were the ones in her life. People make up things out of hate,jealosy and greed. I do not think she was as bad as the media says. I also think freedom of speech needs a limit. The amount of hate towards her is unfair and disgusting. Human beings make mistakes,maybe hers was drugs, I do not know, but I do Know she was beautiful and I am sure heart broken over the loss of her son which people seemed to forget, and I am sure it was hard for her to take care of a baby dealing with a loss and a life. Could anyone function normal after something like that? Before any of us think we are so perfect look deep into your own soul , ask yourself what are your demons before you judge. Rest in piece Ann Nicole.
christine ritz, lockport, il
Kristy Swanson would be a better choice, I think
Greg, Los Angeles, CA
Just as in the lives of other media greats, Anna Nicole life and her childrens wil help line the pockets of the greedy fools who stoke this story with their own personal twist.
As the public challenge her nobody existence,we should look at others at the pinnacle of Fame was taken. I for one say as she made clear choices of her life style , and ultimately the consequences were her own. You are Amongst the Angels, Anna.... Rest in Peace
Theresa Tofiga, Chicago, IL
Too bad; a no-talent actress would have been more appropriate.
harry, houston, texas USA
I believe that the father of Anna Nicole's daughter is her son Daniel. Daniel couldn't live with the fact that his mother had his child so committed suicide. Anna Nicole couldn't handle the death of Daniel and having to face and live with the byproduct "Daniellyn". I think this is why Howard K. Stern is listed on her birth certificate to hide this possible truth and why a DNA test is taking so long to produce results.
Dizzy, Lynwood, ca
Please let's all remember someone tragically sad lost her life. From whatever it was, for whatever the reason, remember she was a human being with a soul and the desire to be treated well.
And by the way, shame on anyone who portrays her in the MIDDLE of this craze; it's a horrible idea until all is settled and final. We owe her that much respect.
Mike Donesy, kansas city, missouri