Living Proof (2008 film)

The film recounts the true story of Dr. Dennis Slamon (played by Harry Connick Jr.), who helped develop the breast cancer drug Herceptin, over eight years from 1988 to 1996. Dr. Slamon, a physician scientist at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, develops the experimental drug Herceptin, which he believes will treat breast cancer. When the drug company ceases funding the research, philanthropists, including Lilly Tartikoff (Angie Harmon) and Ronald Perelman, help him continue his research. Funding includes an initial donation from Perelman's Revlon charity, and continues over the years with the "Fire and Ice Ball" organized by Tartikoff.

The drug company eventually resumes funding the research, and the drug undergoes three trials before gaining approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Prior to the trials, the drug undergoes a preclinical animal trial. Nicole (Tammy Blanchard), a young mother with stage 4 cancer, receives the drug first. Although her mother Elizabeth (Swoosie Kurtz) pleads with Dr. Slamon, Nicole is not included in the subsequent trials because she does not meet the trial requirements. The women in the trials, particularly the first trial, band together. They handle their disease and drug trial with humor—Tish (Jennifer Coolidge)—or with alternative therapy—Tina (Trudie Styler). The stories of Barbara (Bernadette Peters) and Ellie (Regina King) are followed throughout, as they go through the trials and eventual recovery. Although some patients involved in the tests die, Slamon's work with the drug ultimately changes the course of breast cancer treatment.

• Harry Connick Jr. as Dr. Dennis Slamon
• Tammy Blanchard as Nicole, the first woman to receive Herceptin
• Amanda Bynes as Jamie, Dr. Slamon's student assistant
• Jennifer Coolidge as Tish, participant in Phase One of the Her2 study
• Angie Harmon as Lilly Tartikoff, wife of Brandon Tartikoff (NBC Television president)
• John Benjamin Hickey as Blake Rogers, Dr. Slamon's friend and fellow scientist
• Regina King as Ellie, a fashion designer and breast cancer survivor
• Swoosie Kurtz as Elizabeth, Nicole's mother
• Paula Cale Lisbe as Donna Slamon, Dr. Slamon's wife
• Amy Madigan as Fran Visco, President of the National Breast Cancer Coalition
• Bernadette Peters as Barbara Bradfield, a retired art teacher and the first woman the drug trial saved by Herceptin
• Trudie Styler as Tina, participant in Phase One of the Her2 study
• Bruce McKinnon as Dean Bradfield, Barbara Bradfield's husband
• Jackson Hurst as Josh
• Tom Nowicki as Carl Reinhardt
• Brandon Smith as Pharmacy Board Member
• William Ragsdale as Andy Marks
• Melissa McBride as Sally
• Lance E. Nichols as Dr. Brown, Barbara's physician
• Rhoda Griffis as Bindy Hawn, a member of the Revlon charity board

Note: the women patients portrayed are composites with the exception of Barbara Bradfield.^[1]

Harry Connick Jr. wrote "Song for the Hopeful", which is also on Connick's album What a Night! A Christmas Album, released in November 2008.^[2] Sony announced it would contribute to breast cancer charities for each download of "Song for the Hopeful" (Theme from "Living Proof") from iTunes, where it was released on October 7, 2008.^[3]

Teleplay writer Vivienne Radkoff developed the story over seven years. It is an adaptation of Robert Bazell's book HER-2: The Making of Herceptin, a Revolutionary Treatment for Breast Cancer. The film was the first mainstream feature film scored as a solo project by composer Halli Cauthery.

Renée Zellweger, in her first television project, is executive producer, with Neil Meron and Craig Zadan as producers.^[4] Zellweger previously produced Miss Potter (2006). Zellweger suggested casting Harry Connick, Jr. for the film.^[5] They acted together in the romantic comedy New in Town.

Filming of Living Proof took place in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2008.^[6] Connick suggested the filming location because "It's expensive to film in Los Angeles, and my being from New Orleans, it's a chance to help the city get back on its feet a little bit by employing a lot of the local people."^[7]