She was one of the very few actors I'll watch a movie just cuz they're in it. I loved her since FREEWAY. I know Angelina won the Oscar, but for me, she was the best part of GIRL INTERRUPTED. And DROP DEAD GORGEOUS gets played every few months here (with lots of cocktails!).

Oddly enough I always forget to list her when fave actress threads pop up. I think that was kind of what was cool about her...she was so talented and funny, yet not obnoxiously celebrity'd out.

R.I.P.

It's so terribly sad. Brittany was a doll and a good actress and seemed so full of life and energy. She wasn't one of those hollywood snob types I don't think.

But according to some articles her death is no surprise due to her dramatic weight loss over the years. If you remember her earlier roles from Clueless and Freeway,,,she had meat on her bones. Then all of sudden comes "Dont Say a Word" and she's rail thin but of course the fashion mags applaud her for it much the same way they did Christina Ricci who's weight fluctuates. LA gossip has always centered around some diet drug that's actually a heart medicine. Supposedly the prime users were Brittany, Rachael Zoe and Jennifer Anniston. It's suspicious that her hubby doesn't want an autopsy.

Poor Brittany. She will be missed.

peacenlovealways said:

she was so good in that film.

such sad news.

Actress Brittany Murphy dies at age 32 in LA; official says cause 'appears to be natural'


at 22:46 on December 20, 2009, EDT.
By Christopher Weber, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


In this Nov. 26, 2006 file photo, U.S. actress Brittany Murphy arrives in Leicester Square for the European premiere of her latest film "Happy Feet" in central London. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Max Nash, File


LOS ANGELES - Brittany Murphy, the actress who got her start in the sleeper hit "Clueless" and rose to stardom in "8 Mile" before her movie roles declined in recent years, died Sunday in Los Angeles of what appeared to be natural causes, a Los Angeles County coroner's official said. She was 32.

Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Sally Stewart said.

Murphy was transported to the hospital after the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call at 8 a.m. at the home she shared with her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, in the Hollywood Hills.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Murphy apparently collapsed in the bathroom, and authorities were looking into her medical history.

An official cause of death may not be determined for some time, since toxicology tests will be required, but "it appears to be natural," Winter said. He said an autopsy was planned for Monday or Tuesday.

Winter said Murphy's family was co-operating with the coroner's investigation. Funeral arrangements have not been announced, he said.

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy's death, Officer Norma Eisenman said. Detectives and coroner's officials were at Murphy and Monjack's home Sunday afternoon but did not talk to reporters. Paparazzi were camped outside the multistory home, located above the Sunset Strip.

Messages left for Murphy's manager and agent by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Neighbour Clare Staples said she saw firefighters working to resuscitate the actress Sunday morning. She said Murphy was on a stretcher and "looked as though she was dead at the scene."

Murphy's husband, wearing pajama bottoms and no shoes, appeared "dazed" as firefighters tried to save her, Staples said. "It's just tragic," she added.

TMZ.com first reported Murphy's death Sunday morning.

Murphy's father, Angelo Bertolotti, said he learned of her death from his son, the actress's brother, and was stunned.

"She was just an absolute doll since she was born," Bertolotti said from his Branford, Fla., home. "Her personality was always outward. Everybody loved her - people that made movies with her, people on a cruise - they all loved her. She was just a regular gal."

He said he hadn't heard much about the circumstances of Murphy's death. Bertolotti divorced her mother when Murphy was young and hadn't seen Murphy in the past few years. He said he used to be in the mob and served prison time on federal drug charges.

"She was just talented," Bertolotti said. "And I loved her very much."

Meanwhile, Murphy's publicist, Nicole Perna, said in a statement: "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy."

Born Nov. 10, 1977, in Atlanta, Murphy grew up in New Jersey and later moved with her mother to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Her career started in the early 1990s with small roles in television series, commercials and movies. She is best known for parts in "Girl, Interrupted," "Clueless" and "8 Mile."

Her on-screen work had lessened of late, but Murphy's voice gave life to numerous animated characters, including Luanne Platter on more than 200 episodes of Fox's "King of the Hill" and Gloria the penguin in the 2006 feature "Happy Feet."

She is due to appear in Sylvester Stallone's upcoming film, "The Expendables," set for release next year.

Her role in "8 Mile" led to more recognition, Murphy told AP in 2003. "That changed a lot," she said. "That was the difference between people knowing my first and last name as opposed to not."

Murphy credited her mother, Sharon, with being a key to her success.

"When I asked my mom to move to California, she sold everything and moved out here for me," Murphy said. "I was really grateful to have grown up in an environment that was conducive to creating and didn't stifle any of that. She always believed in me."

She dated Ashton Kutcher, who costarred with Murphy in 2003's romantic comedy "Just Married."

Kutcher sent a message on Twitter Sunday morning about Murphy's death: "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine," Kutcher wrote. "My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband,&her amazing mother Sharon."

-

AP Entertainment Writer Anthony McCartney and Matt Sedensky in Miami contributed to this report.


©The Canadian Press, 2009

DesireeNevermind said:

I loved Freeway.

AnckSuNamun said:

One of the best movies ever!!!

DesireeNevermind said:

Rachel Zoe she does not use diet drugs. What people don't understand is that she's very tiny in stature (almost like Jada Pinket). I am 5'3.5", at 117-122 lbs and a size 3-4 look like an elephant in photos next to her. Rachel is about 1-2 inches shorter than me, although she has gigantic feet, and wears what used to be my standard 1-2. She's just a "little person", as in short & waifish. Strong like an ox, but just "little"....and she's been the same size since long before she moved to LA became a public commodity.

Anyhoo and more importantly, Brittany will be missed. She was a delightful actress, with a great singing voice to boot. I'm kinda sad thinking that she won't be around any more, she really struck me as having "presence" onscreen, and it would have been lovely to see her in more comedies

DesireeNevermind said:

Still the best thing Witherspoon has done. Brit and her worked so well off each other in it.
[Edited 12/20/09 23:06pm]

Ottensen said:

I always thought she'd eventually end up an award winner.

Ottensen said:

I can totally understand the demure and waifish look. I joke with my gf that i can fit her in my back pocket- she too is 5/2 and like 98 pounds, sometimes 105. But Rachael has , I mean literally, has bones sticking out. You can see her spine and rib cage and her skin looks thing and almost transparent. Supposedly this is how Brittany was beginning to look. I dunno. I would hate to believe they were on diet drugs but with Brittany dieing, it just seems like there might be some truth to the rumors...and they've been around for some time now.

johnart said:

me too.

AnckSuNamun said:

This is tough. I'm taking this harder than I expected- I wouldn't have considered myself a big fan or anything, but I liked and respected her.

She was awesome in Freeway and Girl, Interrupted.

AWWWW....carmen didn't even need to be there

I'm gonna stop talking about her for a bit.

look at this lovely slide show. she looked good in every hair color.

CHIC0 said:

now I'm gonna be sad watching the show, love her puppet shows

DesireeNevermind said:

had no idea she sang. decent . always liked her

Brittany Murphy Likely Died From Natural Causes, Says Coroner

Fans and friends were shocked by the untimely death of actress Brittany Murphy on Sunday morning. The 'Clueless' and 'Girl, Interrupted' actress went into full cardiac arrest, and paramedics were unable to revive her. Murphy, 32, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and LA County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told the press Sunday evening that the tragedy was likely the result of natural causes, reports Access Hollywood.

-----


Capt. John Kades of the coroner's office says, "Foul play is not suspected at this time because there were no outward signs of trauma or other injuries," according to PEOPLE.

Some colleagues were concerned about Murphy weeks before her death. The actress showed up for the for the opening of Tt Collection's Pop-Up shop in LA, looking rail thin. Reports that she'd been let go from a film shooting for disrupting the set were denied by her rep, who claimed, "She was not nor has she ever been fired from any job big or small ... [Due] to creative differences Ms. Murphy and the production mutually parted ways."

The director of Murphy's 2008 project 'Across the Hall,' Alex Merkin, said that the actress was always professional but acknowledged she'd been dealing with personal issues. "I just remember she was going through a lot at the time surrounding her husband being in the hospital."

Sources claim that Murphy herself didn't cause the disruption on set - Monjack did. ""Monjack came on the set inebriated," 'Shrinking Charlotte' director Michael Z Gordon told The Hollywood Reporter. "The producers wanted to keep him away. Brittany of course defended him. And so she was let go."

TMZ reports that the actress had experienced flu-like symptoms in the days leading to her death, and that Murphy was seriously ill a few hours before she collapsed. Sources told the website that Murphy began vomiting early Sunday morning. The sources also claimed that authorities found no illegal drugs in Murphy's home, but it is apparent that the actress was taking some prescription medications. After the 911 call, Murphy's mother Sharon told paramedics her daughter was diabetic.

Witnesses told TMZ that Murphy's husband of two years, Simon Monjack, told hospital staff that he did not want an autopsy performed on his wife. However, as part of the coroner's investigation, a pending autopsy has been confirmed.

"We don't have an autopsy scheduled yet, but we will do it as soon as possible," Kades said. "Given all the worldwide attention, if we can get it done [Monday], we will."

"The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy," Murphy's family said in a statement. "She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time."

Murphy made her big splash in Hollywood in 1995's 'Clueless,' in which she played the ditzy character Tai. She went on to co-star in popular films like 'Girl, Interrupted' with Angelina Jolie and '8 Mile,' where she played Eminem's love interest. She was also the voice of Luanne Platter for more than 230 episodes of the popular Fox cartoon sitcom 'King of the Hill.'

Aside from acting, Murphy also dabbled in music occasionally. In 2006, she scored a hit by pairing up with DJ Paul Oakenfold on the song 'Faster Kill Pussycat,' which became a club staple. She also covered two songs -- including Queen's 'Somebody to Love' -- in the animated movie 'Happy Feet.'

Ashton Kutcher, who shared the screen with Murphy in 2003's 'Just Married' and also dated her, spoke out on his Twitter to remember his friend. "See you on the other side kid ... 2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon," Kutcher wrote. See More Stars Tweeting About Murphy

MoniGram said:

That's just speculation.

And if its related to anything else, would you still be asking that question?

If it ends up being anorexia related...what can you expect?

If it ends up being heart-condition related..what can you expect?

Don't they just seem ludicrous questions? The fact is, it is sad that she has died regardless of the cause. It is no more or less a waste of life, no matter what the reason turns out to be.

And, is it turns out, the early indications are that is was from "natural causes", so maybe that will stem any prejudiced speculation?

johnart said:

that's RIGHT, she was in that movie! One of our all-time favorites!

johnart said:

i freakin love this movie.


R.I.P

Smoochesdarling said:

Sorry, but that's largely biased rubbish. Its not as black and white as that. Drugs don't mean a "life or death" fight for most people. And, it doesn't always end up being "In the end you will either fight to live or die leaving people with just a memory of what your life use to be or how great you were."

You're so biased and prejudiced that you've decided to spill all this whilst totally assuming what happened to poor britanny....just couldn't wait to jump on your perceived enemy! You suggest we should be educating people more, yet you espouse misinformation yourself, which is quite dangerous - lets hope its not you presenting the "facts"!

CHIC0 said:

King of the Hill is the most underrated hilarious show ever. Her character was the best. Manger Babies was amazing.

Family: Brittany Murphy Was Sick Days Before Death
December 21, 2009


Brittany Murphy's family said the actress was ill with flu-like symptoms in the days before her death and prescription medications were taken from her home, the Los Angeles coroner's office said Monday.

The 32-year-old star of films such as "Clueless" and "8 Mile" died Sunday morning after collapsing at her Hollywood Hills home. Paramedics tried to revive her, but she was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said they will conduct an autopsy Monday to try to determine what killed the actress, and said her death appeared to be from natural causes. He said the reported illness could have contributed to her death, but it will be weeks before a final determination is made.

Toxicology tests will be performed, and officials will contact her personal physician to get a better sense of Murphy's medical history, Winter said.

Neighbor Clare Staples said she saw firefighters working to resuscitate the actress Sunday morning. She said Murphy was on a stretcher.

Murphy's husband, wearing pajama bottoms and no shoes, appeared "dazed" as firefighters tried to save her, Staples said. "It's just tragic," she added.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

"The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy," Murphy's husband and family wrote in a statement. "She was our daughter, our wife, our love, and a shinning star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this difficult time."

Murphy moved to Los Angeles with her mother, Sharon, in the early 1990s. Her career started with small roles in television series, commercials and movies, but her part in "Clueless" led to larger projects.

She is best known for parts in "Girl, Interrupted" and "8 Mile," and also voiced the character Luanne Platter for more 200 episodes on Fox's animated series "King of the Hill."

Her role in "8 Mile" led to more recognition, Murphy told AP in 2003. "That changed a lot," she said. "That was the difference between people knowing my first and last name as opposed to not."

She married British screenwriter Simon Monjack in 2007.

Murphy's father, Angelo Bertolotti, said he learned of her death from his son, the actress's brother, and was stunned.

"She was just an absolute doll since she was born," Bertolotti said from his Branford, Fla., home. "Her personality was always outward. Everybody loved her — people that made movies with her, people on a cruise — they all loved her. She was just a regular gal."

He said he hadn't heard much about the circumstances of Murphy's death. Bertolotti divorced her mother when Murphy was young and hadn't seen Murphy in the past few years.

"She was just talented," Bertolotti said. "And I loved her very much."


http://www.google.com/hos...QD9CNQ7GG2

they are saying she was suffering from a flu-like illness, and many people a year die from the flu, and this year even the swine flu.

Mindflux said:

This was my suspicion and not drugs being a factor. Some celebrities out here do have health problems too just like regular people. She could have been suffering from heart disease. Drugs aren't always the culprit when it comes to a celebrity dying prematurely.

Damn! Not Luanne!

Yeah it's sad. She was good in 8Mile with Eminem.

DanceWme said:

Me too.

I'm bummed about this. She had one of my favorite smiles.