KRISTY SWANSON - SWANSON TO PLAY ANNA NICOLE SMITH ON LAW + ORDER

SWANSON TO PLAY ANNA NICOLE SMITH ON LAW + ORDER

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE star KRISTY SWANSON is set to play ANNA NICOLE SMITH in an episode of LAW + ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT. The first fictionalised version of the tragic Playboy Playmate's story will air on US network NBC in May (07). Swanson portrayed Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the feature film before SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR starred in the TV series based on the movie. Sources tell Fox News Smith's lawyer and companion, HOWARD K STERN, could be played by actor and comedian JON LOVITZ. Writers from the show have not included LARRY BIRKHEAD, who claims to be the father of Smith's baby daughter, DANNIELYNN, but are considering writing a character based loosely based on Smith's mother VIRGIE ARTHUR and her sister. Smith died in a Florida hotel suite last month (FEB07) at the age of 39. The cause of her death has still not been released, pending a police investigation. Swanson is no stranger to scandal herself, she had a baby last month (FEB07) with LLOYD EISLER, her partner on US reality TV series SKATING WITH CELEBRITIES. Eisler is still married to the mother of his two very young children.