Few movie canines have had such an impact on viewers as Abbey, the dog actress who played alongside Will Smith in the critically acclaimed picture I Am Legend.
The Oscar winner just posted a touching ode to his former co-star ❤️.
In the 2007 movie, Smith plays what appears to be the final human survivor of a zombie virus that has transformed a large number of people into cannibalistic mutants.
Sam, a German Shepherd portrayed by Abbey, an animal actress, is his sole friend. One of the most enduring aspects of the movie is the bond between the guy and the dog on screen; a particularly moving sequence had many viewers in tears.
“I love that dog,” Will Smith said.
Off-screen, Smith and Abbey’s bond was just as strong. Smith claimed that his long-standing phobia of becoming attached to an animal was alleviated by his co-star.
In 2007, Smith said to Access Hollywood, “I had a dog when I was little, probably 9 years old, and it got hit by a car.” “So I thought, ‘That’s it!’” I refuse to do it. I refuse to engage in the whole “fall in love with dogs” thing.
Will Smith on the “I Am Legend” set, October 2, 2006, New York City, New York, United States. Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic photo
Smith claimed to “love that dog” and even asked Abbey’s trainer if he could bring her home permanently when filming was finished, but he was turned down.
Smith recalled, “I was pleading with him.” “Please give me Abbey, I begged. Let me take her, please, please, please. However, given she now has a family of her own, it was simply another short-lived Hollywood affair.
Steve Berens, Abbey’s trainer, told LAD Bible, “I didn’t want to see that end badly because you know how a lot of these stars fall in love with their co-stars, and then once they move on to the next picture, they’re off and running.”
Nevertheless, he claimed that Smith had a stronger on-screen chemistry with his animal co-star than many other actors do.
He described him as “a fabulous guy to work with.” “I believe that the difference was that she really liked him.” One aspect of the movie that I was extremely proud of and content with, in my opinion, was how strong the relationship was.
LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 10: At Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on December 10, 2007, actor Will Smith was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony. Smith is pictured here with Abby, the dog from “I Am Legend.” (Image via Getty Images/Kevin Winter)
Honoring Abbey
Despite not being able to adopt Abbey, Smith never lost sight of his cherished co-star. Last week, he paid a touching homage to Abbey on Instagram, referring to her as “the goodness girl,” in honor of National Pet Day.
In addition to movie material, the video has stills and short films of Smith and Abbey on the red carpet and behind the scenes.
The video touched people because it revived memories of the tragic movie and Abbey’s outstanding performance.
One remark says, “That dog had the most amazing expressions I’ve ever seen.” “It was a dog acting!” Yes, I shed ugly tears when she passed away, just like everyone else did.
Another added, “When Samantha died, that was the last time I sobbed at a movie.”
How many times have I sobbed while watching this film? When I first saw it, my dog and I were together, and I can assure you that we both sobbed.
Abbey is currently where?
Even while Sam’s death in I Am Legend still causes pain for many viewers, they can find solace in the knowledge that Abbey lived a long and healthy life in real life.
In 2018, Steve Berens revealed that she was still living with him and continuing strong at the age of 13, more than ten years after her huge Hollywood break. Before retirement, she made a few more appearances in roles.
He said to LADBible, “She’s older now and she doesn’t hear hardly anything.” “However, she continues to kick and exhibits a fondness for balls and bones.”
It’s unclear whether Abbey is still alive now. Using the official I Am Legend social media account, several claims claimed she was still alive in 2022. She will have lived to be at least 18 years old in 2024, much over the average lifespan for her breed.
In any case, Abbey undoubtedly led a long and contented life, and her outstanding performance in I Am Legend still touches viewers today.
It’s rumored that Smith and Michael B. Jordan will star in a follow-up to I Am Legend. However, it’s unclear from the script whether or not there will be another cute animal that will make us cry repeatedly.
LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 10: At Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on December 10, 2007, actor Will Smith was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony. Smith is pictured here with Abby, the dog from “I Am Legend.” (Image via Getty Images/Kevin Winter))
What a kind homage to Abbey! It’s obvious that Will Smith will always remember his incredibly great co-star 🥹❤️
