ByABC News 
February 9, 2007, 9:23 AM
Feb. 9, 2007 — -- Anna Nicole Smith's looks were captivating, and her antics were so strange we couldn't help but be curious.
"She was a train wreck," said Vanity Fair writer Dominick Dunne. "A beautiful train wreck."
Smith lived her adult life in the spotlight -- cameras capturing her every joy, and most recently, her every tragedy.
"She offered a lot of hope to the woman out there that wanted to make it, that was a little larger size," said Eric Redding, author of "Great Big Beautiful Doll: The Anna Nicole Smith Story."
Now, with so many questions swirling around her death, Smith's life is reminiscent of the many beauties that have captured the public's heart and died too young, like Jean Harlow, the original blonde bombshell.
"She was a major star and was actually a debutante," Dunne said of Harlow. "She was from a swell family, but her thing was that she was the tough girl."
But even the tough-girl persona couldn't halt the kidney infection that would eventually kill Harlow at the age of 26.
"[Harlow] was a wonderful actress. Her death was unexpected," Dunne said.
Another tragic beauty who was described as "vibrant" and "vivacious," film star Jayne Mansfield was on her way back from a nightclub engagement when the car she was traveling in slammed into an oncoming semitruck.
Mansfield was killed instantly. She was just 34 years old.
"She was always at every premiere, every red carpet," Dunne said. "She was way ahead of her time."
Anna Nicole Smith aspired to be like Mansfield and her favorite blonde, Marilyn Monroe.
She even lived in Monroe's house for a time and said she'd seen Marilyn's ghost wandering the halls. The circ*mstances surrounding Monroe's death at age 36 are still debated today, but we know she lived life hard, just like Smith.
"After 39 years of partying hardy and taking all these medications, to have her die at 39 years old is not surprising in the least," said Redding.
What is it about these beautiful women, struck down in the prime of their lives?
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of celebrity culture, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to the table. Over the years, my passion for understanding the intricate lives of iconic figures has led me to explore the nuances of their triumphs and tragedies. Now, let's delve into the fascinating world of Anna Nicole Smith and the captivating parallels drawn to other legendary beauties like Jean Harlow and Jayne Mansfield.
Anna Nicole Smith, an undeniable beauty, lived a life that oscillated between joy and tragedy, all under the relentless gaze of the public eye. Her story echoes the patterns seen in other iconic figures, such as Jean Harlow, the original blonde bombshell. Dominick Dunne, a seasoned Vanity Fair writer, aptly described Smith as a "beautiful train wreck," encapsulating the mesmerizing yet tumultuous nature of her existence.
Harlow, a major star and debutante, portrayed the tough-girl persona, but even her vibrant image couldn't shield her from an unexpected demise at the age of 26 due to a kidney infection. Dunne's insights into Harlow's life and tragic death highlight the unpredictability that often accompanies the glamorous façade of fame.
The narrative expands to include Jayne Mansfield, a vivacious film star whose life met a tragic end at the age of 34. Described as "vibrant" by contemporaries, Mansfield's untimely death in a car accident, while returning from a nightclub engagement, draws chilling parallels to the unpredictability of fame and its consequences.
Anna Nicole Smith, inspired by Mansfield and the legendary Marilyn Monroe, emulated their lives and aspirations. Smith's stint in Monroe's house and her claim to have encountered Marilyn's ghost add layers to the mystique surrounding these iconic figures. The reference to Monroe's debated death at 36 underscores the common thread of living life on the edge, mirrored in both Monroe and Smith's experiences.
Eric Redding, author of "Great Big Beautiful Doll: The Anna Nicole Smith Story," emphasizes Smith's role in offering hope to women aspiring to make it in an industry that often idealizes a specific body type. The convergence of Smith's aspirations with those of her predecessors reflects the enduring allure of beauty and the struggles faced by these women in the limelight.
The article raises poignant questions about the fate of these beautiful women who were tragically struck down in the prime of their lives. The exploration of their lives, filled with glamour and adversity, serves as a testament to the complex interplay between fame, beauty, and the relentless passage of time.
