FX's 'Love Story' Alters Details About Kennedy and Hannah's Dog Incident

Daryl Hannah criticized the show's portrayal of her as 'not even a remotely accurate representation' of her life and relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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FX's new drama series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' dramatizes the tragic death of Daryl Hannah's dog, but the real story is different from how it was depicted on the show. Hannah has criticized the show's portrayal of her character as 'irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate', saying it was 'not even a remotely accurate representation' of her life and relationship with Kennedy.

Why it matters

The accuracy of 'Love Story' has been widely debated, with the show facing criticism for altering key details about Kennedy and Hannah's relationship. This incident highlights the challenges of dramatizing real-life events and the importance of portraying subjects fairly and truthfully.

The details

According to reports, John F. Kennedy Jr. was present when Daryl Hannah's dog Hank slipped free from its leash, ran into traffic, and was struck by a car. However, the show's depiction of how the incident occurred differs from the real events. In 'Love Story', Kennedy was distracted by a fan asking for an autograph, while in reality, the dog got off its leash in Central Park. Kennedy had Hank cremated and flew the ashes to Hannah in Los Angeles.

  • In March 2026, FX's 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' premiered.
  • Daryl Hannah criticized the show's portrayal of her character shortly after the series aired.

The players

John F. Kennedy Jr.

The son of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who was in a relationship with Daryl Hannah when her dog Hank died.

Daryl Hannah

An American actress who was in a relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. and whose dog's death was depicted in the FX series 'Love Story'.

Sasha Chermayeff

A friend of John F. Kennedy Jr. who provided details about the incident with Daryl Hannah's dog.

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What they’re saying

“So he goes out there to bury the dog. And while he's out there, his mom has a dramatic turn for the worse. He was deeply resentful that Daryl dragged him out there to attend a funeral for her dog when his mother was dying of cancer.”

— Sasha Chermayeff, Friend of John F. Kennedy Jr. (An Intimate Oral Biography)

“The actions and behaviors attributed to me are untrue.”

— Daryl Hannah (New York Times guest essay)

“The choice to present her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.”

— Daryl Hannah (New York Times guest essay)

What’s next

The accuracy of 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' will likely continue to be debated, with Daryl Hannah's criticism drawing further attention to the show's portrayal of real-life events.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges of dramatizing real-life events and the importance of portraying subjects fairly and truthfully. The controversy surrounding 'Love Story' underscores the need for entertainment productions to balance creative license with respect for the individuals and stories they depict.