This year marks the 16th anniversary of I Am Legend, the post-apocalyptic film that allowed Will Smith to pivot toward more dramatic roles in the 2000s. While the movie received mixed reviews, we can all agree that the true star was Smith’s canine co-star, Abbey, a German Shepherd.
The film features one of cinema’s most touching and heartbreaking moments: Neville (played by Smith) is forced to put down his loyal companion, Sam, after the dog becomes infected by a mutant virus. This emotionally charged scene—made even more poignant because Sam is the last connection Neville has to his family—has left countless viewers in tears.
But don’t worry—Abbey’s real life was much happier than her on-screen fate. In a recent interview with LADbible, Abbey’s trainer and owner, Steve Berens, shared insights about the beloved dog and the filming process. Berens, who founded the Animals of Distinction training company, revealed some interesting behind-the-scenes details. For instance, the studio contacted him in July, asking for a female German Shepherd by September. This meant Abbey had no prior training before production began. Initially stressed, her natural talent quickly shone through, and she mastered commands in no time.
Berens also praised Smith’s approach to working with Abbey:
“Many actors don’t engage much with animals on set, but Will was completely different. He immediately saw the dog as his co-star. I was proud of how strong their bond became.”
Berens also disclosed that Smith had a deep emotional connection to Abbey. As a child, Smith lost a dog when it was hit by a car, and that trauma had kept him from having a pet since then. However, during the filming of I Am Legend, Smith grew so fond of Abbey that he repeatedly asked Berens if he could adopt her. Unfortunately for Smith, Abbey already had a loving family, so their Hollywood “romance” remained just that—a fleeting but heartfelt connection on set.
