Abbie Cornish Becomes Anna Nicole Smith in First Look at New Biopic ‘Trust Me, I’m a Doctor’

Abbie Cornish’s transformation into Anna Nicole Smith is already getting attention ahead of the release of Trust Me, I’m a Doctor. Her co-star Kal Penn recently opened up about seeing Cornish in character for the first time, saying the actress completely captured the famous model’s presence and personality.

Speaking with Variety, Penn praised Cornish’s performance and said she brought much more than just a physical resemblance to the role. “She really embodied Anna Nicole in a very striking way,” Penn said. “She was a completely different person. I briefly met Anna Nicole a handful of times way back when I was starting my career, and she was on a reality show. I never really had any conversations of any note with her but it definitely brought me back to that time. Abbie is excellent. She’s phenomenal in this role.”

The upcoming film focuses on the complicated relationship between Anna Nicole Smith and her doctor, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, played by Penn. The movie is based on Kapoor’s memoir of the same name and follows the events surrounding his legal battle after Smith’s death in 2007.

Kapoor faced several charges connected to the medications he prescribed to Smith, but he was later cleared of wrongdoing after a nine-week trial. The movie explores the events surrounding their relationship, the media attention around Smith, and the questions that followed her death.

Written and directed by Thane Economou, Trust Me, I’m a Doctor also features Linda Hamilton as Kapoor’s lawyer, Ellyn Garofalo. Variety recently shared an exclusive first look at the film, including an image showing Smith and Kapoor attending the West Hollywood Pride parade in 2005, a moment that drew public attention because of questions surrounding their close relationship.

Penn said Cornish avoided turning Smith into a simple imitation or exaggerated version of the celebrity. “I didn’t feel like it was an impersonation,” he explained. “I felt like she brought all of the heart and the vulnerability and the complexity of Anne Nicole Smith.”

The actor added that Cornish’s performance helped him connect with his own role because his character’s reactions felt natural when she appeared on set. “Abbie just walks in as Anna, my job is immediately easier,” Penn said.

The movie also looks at the people around Smith and the challenges that came with her fame. Penn explained that the story made him think about the role of those close to celebrities during difficult moments. “It definitely gave me pause when you sort of think about how many enablers there are along the way,” he said.

Penn also revealed that he spoke with Kapoor while preparing for the role. He said Kapoor explained his views about the difference between addiction and dependency, a topic that became part of the public discussion after Smith’s death.

“He walked me through the difference between somebody who may have a dependency on something and somebody who is addicted to something,” Penn said.

While Penn spent time understanding Kapoor’s perspective, he made it clear that his job was not to decide whether Kapoor was responsible for what happened. Instead, he focused on portraying the character as written in the script and exploring the complicated situation around him.

Produced by Ryan Hawkins, Al Engemann, Rebecca Case, and Geenah Krisht, Trust Me, I’m a Doctor will be released in theaters on October 16 through Briarcliff Entertainment. With Cornish’s highly praised transformation and a story centered on one of Hollywood’s most talked-about figures, the film is expected to bring a fresh look at Anna Nicole Smith’s final years.

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