How Larry Birkhead Feels About Dannielynn Birkhead Following Anna Nicole Smith’s Career

Larry Birkhead exclusively told E! News why he’s hesitant to let his and Anna Nicole Smith’s 18-year-old daughter Dannielynn Birkhead follow in her late mom’s footsteps and pursue a modeling career.

Watch: Anna Nicole Smith’s Daughter Dannielynn Birkhead Wears Mom’s Gown 21 Years Later

Larry Birkhead is being cautious.

The photographer got candid about his and Anna Nicole Smith‘s 18-year-old daughter Dannielynn Birkhead following in her late mom’s footsteps by pursuing a career in modeling and acting.

“I’m hesitant,” Larry exclusively told E! News’ Francesca Amiker ahead of Father’s Day 2025. “I’ll support her if she chooses it, but it’s not my first choice. Then again, it’s not my life.”

The 52-year-old explained that his reluctance has more to do with other people than Dannielynn, who was born six months before her mom died of a fatal overdose in 2007.

“People are quick to judge,” Larry continued. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, here she goes—following in her mom’s footsteps.’ And because her mom passed away, people attach a negative connotation to it.”

But just because he’s hesitant doesn’t mean he won’t allow the teen to step into the entertainment world.

“As a dad, my job is to say: ‘Here’s what you might face,'” Larry shared. “I worked as a reporter and photographer. I’ve seen the industry from the other side. I know what Anna went through. I just throw all that into a pot and say, ‘Are you sure this is what you want to do?’ I want her to make an informed decision.”

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In addition to preparing her for the pressures she might experience, the MadTV actor also wants to make sure Dannielynn has a foundation to fall back on if modeling doesn’t work out.

“I always tell her: have an academic foundation as your main focus,” Larry said. “Do modeling or acting on the side, and if it takes off, then reassess. I had a lot of educators in my family—principals, teachers—so I’m trying to pass that along.”

Anna Nicole Smith, Dannielynn Birkhead, Larry Birkhead

Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images/ Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Churchill Downs

And while Larry noted that his daughter has shown an interest in the arts, he also insisted that nothing is set in stone.

“We’re looking at touring some colleges,” Larry told E!. “She has some ideas about where she wants to go and what she wants to do. There are a couple she’s really focused on.”

He continued, “She did some school plays, and the school gave her great feedback, but it’s only recently that she’s started thinking about modeling and acting again.”

For now, Larry is focused on making sure he and Dannielynn have a great Father’s Day together.

“I let Dannielynn pick how we spend the day,” he noted. “She always asks what I want to do, but we can never decide on anything. So, I flip it back to her, and it usually ends up being a theme park or some kind of fun adventure.”

Larry added, “This year, I think we’re doing Disney World—and probably hitting a water park too since it’s so hot.”

For more on Dannielynn and Larry’s father-daughter bond, read on.