How Hugh Jackman Inspired Anna Nicole Smith’s Daughter's Acting Dreams
Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead is carrying on her legacy.
During an appearance at the 2025 Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky., the 18-year-old—whose father is the late model’s ex Larry Birkhead—shared her plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
“I'm definitely looking forward to modeling and acting,” she exclusively told E! News May 3. “I've just gotten inspired by a lot of my favorite actors and actresses.”
In fact, the 18-year-old singled out Hugh Jackman as a particular source of inspiration, noting that she got to meet him after a recent performance of his Broadway play From New York With Love.
“I watch a lot of his movies for comfort, so that kind of translated to real life,” she said of her fascination with the two-time Tony winner. “He's been my favorite actor for 10 years. I don't know how I survived [meeting him].”
But while Dannielynn plots her foray into the spotlight, she’s not giving up on her academic pursuits.
“I have a college that I'm going to apply to,” she noted. “I'm interested in forensics, but of course, I would like to do modeling and acting on the side.”
Following Anna Nicole’s tragic death in February 2007 and a high-profile legal battle over Dannielynn’s paternity, Larry opted to raise his daughter out of the public eye. As a result, he’s made a point to give her guidance as she embarks on her own career path.
“When she says she wants to do these things, I'm going to be supportive of it,” he told E!, “but I give her some cautionary tales of things that I encountered, her mom encountered, and so I think we put that altogether and give her the support, and we'll see what happens.”
In the meantime, Larry and Dannielynn are keeping Anna Nicole’s memory alive. One day earlier, the pair attended the Barnstable Brown Gala, where Dannielynn wore the same backless black dress that previously belonged to her late mom.
“Life full circle,” Larry wrote in a post on Instagram May 2. “She said she chose the dress because it was her Mom’s and ‘super cool.’”
Keep scrolling for a look at Larry and Dannielynn’s previous appearances at the Kentucky Derby.
--Reporting by Paul Costabile
She's her mother's daughter, all right!
Who needs a fascinator when you're this fabulous?
Flower power! Anna Nicole's mini-me's fascinator is in full bloom.
Chim chim cheree! The daddy-daughter duo take inspiration from Mary Poppins.
Larry leads the way as Dannielynn smiles for the cameras.
Think pink! Dannielynn and Larry pick coordinating colors for their festive frocks.
At just 10 years old, Dannielynn is already a red carpet veteran!
Everything's coming up roses for the twosome!
Dannielynn and her dad are feeling blue, in a good way!
The tween is all smiles in a yellow floral dress as she poses with her dad.
Dannielynn and Larry attend the 2019 Kentucky Derby. He tweeted, "Kentucky Derby time once again. Dannielynn looks pretty in pink in her dress by Junona and her Mom's hat from her unforgettable appearance at The Kentucky Derby in 2004 #KentuckyDerby2019."
They're back! Dannielynn and dad Larryreturned to celebrate the Kentucky Derby with these corresponding looks a day before the annual event.
Larry and Dannielynn appear at the 2022 Barnstable-Brown Gala, a Kentucky Derby pre-party. Dannielynn is wearing the outfit that Janet Jackson wore to the 2003 Barnstable-Brown Gala. Larry said it was purchased in a Julien's Auction, with proceeds benefitting charity.
Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, then 15, sports a colorful look as she poses with dad Larry Birkhead at the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
The 16-year-old steps out in style with her dad Larry Birkhead after paying tribute to her late mom with a fashion statement at the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala in May 2023.
The 17-year-old sports a Gianfranco Ferre dress once owned by Janet Jackson and purchased at Julien's Auctions while attending the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala in May 2024.
The 17-year-old appears with her dad Larry Birkhead en route to the 2024 Kentucky Derby, and debuts a new lob hairstyle.
While joining her dad Larry Birkhead at the Barnstable Brown gala during 2025 Kentucky Derby weekend, the 18-year-old wore the same outfit her late mom wore to the same annual party in 2004.
The two coordinated in aqua at the main event.
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