Full Breakdown
Larry Birkhead Challenges Upcoming Anna Nicole Smith Biopic
7/11/2026, 4:30:28 AM
The Disputed Film
“Trust Me, I’m a Doctor,” slated for theatrical release on Oct. 16, dramatizes the 2017 memoir of Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, the physician who treated Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith before her 2007 drug-overdose death. The production stars Kal Penn as Kapoor and Abbie Cornish as Smith. While the studio has not issued a comment, the film’s subject matter has provoked a public objection from Larry Birkhead, the photographer who fathered Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead (19).
Background & Context
Anna Nicole Smith died at age 39 in 2007 after an accidental overdose in a Hollywood, Florida hotel room. In the aftermath, Dr. Kapoor faced charges of conspiracy, excessive prescribing of opiates and sedatives, and fraudulently obtaining drugs under false names. A 2010 jury acquitted him of all counts. Kapoor later authored the memoir *Trust Me, I’m a Doctor: My Life Before, During and After Anna Nicole Smith*, which serves as the biopic’s source material. Smith’s life has previously been dramatized in a 2013 Lifetime movie and a “Law & Order” episode.
Key Figures
- Larry Birkhead – photographer, former partner of Smith (2003-2006), father of Dannielynn.
- Dr. Sandeep Kapoor – Smith’s former physician, author of the 2017 memoir.
- Kal Penn – actor portraying Kapoor.
- Abbie Cornish – actress portraying Smith.
- California Medical Board – regulatory body Birkhead has contacted regarding Kapoor’s participation in the film.
Official Statements & Responses
Birkhead told *Entertainment Tonight* on July 9 that neither he nor his daughter are involved in the production and that he “absolutely object[s] to any of Anna Nicole’s, my life, my daughter’s life being used in a movie.” He warned that the film could cause “harm and the emotional distress” to both himself and Dannielynn. To address his concerns, Birkhead filed a formal complaint with the California Medical Board over Kapoor’s involvement, stating he will “let the process…play itself out, and see what they have to say about that.” The studio, director Thane Economou, and Kapoor’s representatives have not responded to media inquiries.
Criticism & Opposition
Birkhead’s opposition centers on protecting his daughter’s privacy and preventing perceived exploitation of Smith’s tragic story. He emphasized that the narrative has been “done several times” and expressed doubt that Cornish “embodied the spirit and the looks and the persona of Anna Nicole.” Critics of the film argue that revisiting a case already examined in court and previous media may reopen wounds for the family, while supporters note the public’s continued interest in the high-profile saga.
Data & Statistics
- Film release: Oct. 16, 2026.
- Dannielynn Birkhead’s age: 19.
- Kapoor’s legal outcome: acquitted on all charges in 2010.
- Source material: Kapoor’s 2017 memoir *Trust Me, I’m a Doctor*.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re not involved in this production,” Birkhead told *Entertainment Tonight* in an interview published July 9. “And we absolutely object to any of Anna Nicole's, my life, my daughter’s life being used in a movie and being made characters out of by someone who was a doctor that supposedly people were supposed to trust.” — Larry Birkhead, Photographer
- “I have filed a complaint with the California Medical Board over Dr. Kapoor’s participation in this movie,” — Larry Birkhead
- “I’m just going to let the process, you know, play itself out, and see what they have to say about that.” — Larry Birkhead
- “I’m sure she’s probably a nice girl and a great actress but I don’t think she quite embodied Anna Nicole.” — Larry Birkhead
- “She really embodied Anna Nicole in a very striking way,” — Kal Penn, Actor
What’s Next
The California Medical Board’s review of Birkhead’s complaint will determine whether any regulatory action is taken against Kapoor. Regardless of the board’s decision, the biopic is scheduled to open nationwide on Oct. 16, positioning the dispute as a pre-release controversy that may influence audience reception.
