Brittany Murphy

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Brittany Murphy
Brittany Murphy Happy Feet Premiere 2006.jpg
Murphy at the London premiere of Happy Feet on November 26, 2006
Born Brittany Anne Bertolotti
(1977-11-10)November 10, 1977
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death Pneumonia and anemia[1]
Resting place Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Bright Eternity, Lot 7402, Grave 1[2]
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Occupation Actress, singer, voice artist
Years active 1991–2009
Spouse(s) Simon Monjack (2007–09)

Brittany Murphy-Monjack[3] (born Brittany Anne Bertolotti; November 10, 1977 – December 20, 2009), known professionally as Brittany Murphy, was an American film and stage actress, singer, and voice artist. Murphy, a native of Atlanta, moved to Los Angeles as a teenager and pursued a career in acting. Her breakthrough role was in Amy Heckerling's Clueless (1995), followed by supporting roles in independent films such as Freeway (1996) and Bongwater (1998).

She made her stage debut in a Broadway production of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge in 1997, and then appeared in James Mangold's drama Girl, Interrupted (1999), as well as the satire Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999).

The 2000s saw Murphy with roles in Don't Say a Word (2001) alongside Michael Douglas, and alongside Eminem in Curtis Hanson's 8 Mile (2002), for which she gained critical recognition.[4] Her later roles included Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), the dark comedy crime film Spun (2002), Uptown Girls (2003) alongside Dakota Fanning, Sin City (2005), and Happy Feet (2006). Murphy also voiced Luanne Platter on the animated TV series King of the Hill. Her final film, Something Wicked, was released in April 2014.

Early life

Brittany Anne Bertolotti[5] was born in Atlanta, Georgia,[6] to Sharon Kathleen Murphy[3] and Angelo Joseph Bertolotti,[7][8] who divorced when she was two years old. Murphy was raised by her mother in Edison, New Jersey. Bertolotti was not named as her father on Brittany's first death certificate.[8] Prior to her enrolling at Edison High School, the family moved to Los Angeles in 1991 so that Murphy could pursue an acting career.[9][10][11]

Murphy said her mother never tried to stifle her creativity, and she considered her mother a crucial factor in her later success: "When I asked my mom to move to California, she sold everything and moved out here for me. She always believed in me."[6] Murphy's mother is of Irish and Eastern European descent and her father is of Italian ancestry.[12][13] She was raised a Baptist and later became a non-denominational Christian.[14][15] She had two older half-brothers and a younger half-sister.[16]

Career

File:Brittany Murphy at Happy Feet premiere.jpg
Murphy at the Australian premiere of Happy Feet, December 2006

Acting

Murphy attended Verne Fowler School of Dance and Theatre Arts in Colonia, New Jersey, in 1982. From the age of four, she trained in singing, dancing, and acting until her move to California at thirteen.[17] Murphy made her Broadway debut in 1997, as Catherine, in a revival of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge opposite veteran actors Anthony LaPaglia and Allison Janney.[18]

Murphy landed her first job in Hollywood when she was thirteen, starring as Brenda Drexell in the series Drexell's Class. She then went on to play Molly Morgan in the short-lived The Torkelsons spinoff Almost Home. Murphy also guest-starred on several television series, including Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Blossom, seaQuest 2032, Murder One and Frasier. She also had recurring roles on Sister, Sister, Party of Five and Boy Meets World.

Murphy's breakthrough role was in her second feature film, the teen comedy Clueless (1995), directed by Amy Heckerling, which went on to receive cult status. She followed this with roles in Freeway (1996), with Reese Witherspoon and Kiefer Sutherland, and the independent comedy Bongwater (1998). In 1999, she landed a supporting role in James Mangold's Girl, Interrupted (1999) as a troubled psychiatric patient alongside Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie; and as an aspiring beauty queen in Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999). She also voiced the character Luanne Platter on Fox's animated sitcom King of the Hill for the entirety of the show's run from 1997 to 2009, and Joseph Gribble until the fifth season. She was nominated for an Annie Award for voice acting in the King of the Hill episode "Movin' On Up".[19]

She began the 2000s with a leading role in Don't Say a Word (2001) alongside Michael Douglas; the TV adaptation of the novel The Devil's Arithmetic (2001); 8 Mile (2002), for which she received critical acclaim;[4] and Uptown Girls (2003). In 2003, she starred in the romantic comedies Just Married and Little Black Book (2004) and the critically acclaimed Sin City (2005). Film critic Roger Ebert frequently acclaimed Murphy's acting talent and comedic timing, giving good reviews to several of her films and comparing her to Lucille Ball:[20]

As for Brittany Murphy, for me, it goes back to the 2003 Independent Spirit Awards [where] Murphy was assigned to present one of the awards. Her task was to read the names of the five nominees, open an envelope, and reveal the name of the winner. This she turned into an opportunity for screwball improvisational comedy, by pretending she could not follow this sequence, not even after the audience shouted instructions and the stage manager came to whisper in her ear not once but twice. There were those in the audience who were dumbfounded by her stupidity. I was dumbfounded by her brilliance.[21]

Murphy followed with several independent films, including as Spun (2002), Neverwas (2005), and Karen Moncrieff's The Dead Girl (2006), as well as two Edward Burns films: Sidewalks of New York (2001) and The Groomsmen (2006). She returned to voice acting with the critically acclaimed 2006 animated feature Happy Feet, as Gloria Penguin. In 2009, she was cast in the Lifetime TV movie Tribute, as the main character, Cilla. Murphy completed the thriller/drama Abandoned in June 2009 and it was released in 2010, after her death.[22] In November 2009, Murphy left the production of The Caller, which was being filmed in Puerto Rico, and was replaced by Rachelle Lefevre. Murphy denied media reports that she had been fired from the project after being difficult on set, and cited "creative differences".[23] Something Wicked, her final film, is scheduled to be released in 2014.

Music

Murphy's career also included work as a singer. She commented: "My singing voice isn't like my speaking voice...I've just always kept it a secret and never taken credit because I wanted to learn how to work behind the microphone in a recording studio, and some of the singers don't even know it was me recording on their albums."[24]

Murphy performing for the crew during a USO show aboard USS Nimitz on June 19, 2003

She was in a band called Blessed Soul with fellow actor Eric Balfour in the early 1990s. On June 6, 2006, Murphy and Paul Oakenfold released the single "Faster Kill Pussycat", from the album A Lively Mind. The song became a club hit, and hit number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.[25] It also hit number seven in Oakenfold's native United Kingdom in June 2006.[26]

She dabbled in music again with the release of the film Happy Feet, in which she covered Queen's "Somebody to Love" and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland". Murphy said about her character Gloria, "Oddly enough, of all the characters I've played, Gloria is the most like me. And she's a penguin! George Miller always wanted one person to do both [the speaking and the singing]. I said, 'I can sing,' and I asked him to give me a shot. I don't think he took me very seriously because most actors say they can do most things."[24]

Personal life

In late 2002, Murphy began dating Ashton Kutcher, her co-star in Just Married.[27] Once engaged to talent manager Jeff Kwatinetz, Murphy became engaged to Joe Macaluso in December 2005, a production assistant she met while working on the film Little Black Book.[28] In August 2006, they ended their engagement.[28] In May 2007, Murphy married British screenwriter Simon Monjack in a private Jewish ceremony in Los Angeles.[29] For the last three and a half years of her life, Murphy, her mother and Monjack lived together in the same house.[30]

In the early 2000s, Murphy lost a large amount of weight,[31][32] which led to rumors of a cocaine addiction.[31][33] In 2005, Murphy disputed such claims to Jane magazine, saying, "No, just for the record I have never tried it in my entire life."[31][33] At this point, she had recently signed as the spokesmodel for Jordache jeans.[34]

Death

At 8:00 AM on December 20, 2009, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to "a medical request"[35] at the Los Angeles home Murphy and Monjack shared. She had apparently collapsed in a bathroom.[6] Firefighters attempted to resuscitate Murphy on the scene. She was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she died at 10:04 after going into cardiac arrest.[6][35][36]

Shortly after her death, Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told the Associated Press: "It appears to be natural."[10][37][38] An autopsy was performed the day after she died. Her death certificate listed the cause of death as "deferred".[39] On February 4, 2010, the Los Angeles County coroner stated that the primary cause of Murphy's death was pneumonia, with secondary factors of iron-deficiency anemia and multiple drug intoxication. On February 25, 2010, the coroner released a report stating that Murphy had been taking a range of over-the-counter and prescription medications, with the most likely reason being to treat a cold or respiratory infection. These included "elevated levels" of hydrocodone, acetaminophen, L-methamphetamine and chlorpheniramine. All of the drugs were legal and the death was ruled to be an accident, but the report observed: "the possible adverse physiological effects of elevated levels of these medications cannot be discounted, especially in her weakened state."[1]

Grave of Brittany Murphy at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

On December 24, 2009, Murphy was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.[2][40]

On May 23, 2010, her widower Simon Monjack was found dead at the same Hollywood Hills residence.[41] In July 2010, Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter stated that the cause of his death was acute pneumonia and severe anemia.[42] It was reported that the Los Angeles County Department of Health had considered toxic mold in their house as a possible cause of the deaths, but this was dismissed by Ed Winter, who stated that there were "no indicators" that mold was a factor.[43] Murphy's mother Sharon described the reports of mold contributing to the deaths as "absurd" and went on to state that inspecting the home for mold was never requested by the Health Department.[44] In December 2011, Sharon Murphy changed her stance, announcing that toxic mold was indeed what killed her daughter and son-in-law, and filed a lawsuit against the attorneys who represented her in an earlier suit against the builders of the home where her daughter and son-in-law died.[45]

On January 11, 2012, her father Angelo Bertolotti applied to the Superior Court of California requesting that the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office be required to hand over samples of his daughter's hair for independent testing.[46][47] The suit was dismissed on July 19, 2012, after Bertolotti failed to show up to two separate hearings.[48]

In November 2013, Angelo Bertolotti claimed that a toxicology report showed that deliberate poisoning by heavy metals, including antimony and barium, was a possible cause of Brittany Murphy's death. Sharon Murphy described the claim as "a smear".[49][50]

Foundation

In January 2010, Murphy's mother, Sharon, and her widower, Simon Monjack, established the Brittany Murphy Foundation, a charitable fund for children's arts education, as well as supporting the USO and cancer research.[citation needed][51]

The foundation was launched on February 4, 2010, at a fundraising event at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.[52] After a records search revealed that the foundation's not-for-profit status had not been filed, the foundation announced that it would refund any donations received and issued an official letter on the foundation's website. They stated that in an effort to get the foundation set up as quickly as possible, they had established it as a private foundation with plans to apply for nonprofit status later. However, they said that they had decided to wait until the foundation's nonprofit status was approved before going any further in order to truly honor Murphy and the foundation's charitable goals.[53]

On November 10, 2013, the Brittany Murphy Foundation was officially relaunched by her father Angelo Bertolotti, according to a press release posted at the foundation's website.[54]

Filmography

Feature films

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Family Prayers Elise Alternative title: A Family Divided
1995 Clueless Tai
1996 Freeway Rhonda
1997 Bongwater Mary
1997 Drive Deliverance Bodine
1998 Falling Sky Emily Nicholson
1998 The Prophecy II Izzy Direct-to-video release
1998 Phoenix Veronica
1998 Zack and Reba Reba Simpson
1999 Drop Dead Gorgeous Lisa Swenson
1999 Girl, Interrupted Daisy Randone
2000 Trixie Ruby Pearli
2000 Angels! Nurse Bellows
2000 Cherry Falls Jody Marken
2000 The Audition Daniella Short subject
2001 Sidewalks of New York Ashley
2001 Summer Catch Dede Mulligan
2001 Don't Say a Word Elisabeth Burrows
2001 Riding in Cars with Boys Fay Forrester
2002 Spun Nikki
2002 Something in Between Sky Short subject
2002 8 Mile Alex Latourno
2003 Just Married Sarah
2003 Uptown Girls Molly Gunn
2003 Good Boy! Nelly (voice)
2004 Little Black Book Stacy Holt
2005 Sin City Shellie
2005 Neverwas Maggie Paige
2006 The Groomsmen Sue
2006 Love and Other Disasters Emily "Jacks" Jackson
2006 Happy Feet Gloria (voice)
2006 The Dead Girl Krista Kutcher
2008 The Ramen Girl Abby Producer credit[55]
2008 Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs Colleen O'Hallahan (voice) Direct-to-video release
2009 Deadline Alice Direct-to-video release
2009 Across the Hall June
2010 Abandoned Mary Direct-to-video release
2014 Something Wicked Susan Posthumous release

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Murphy Brown Frank's sister Episode: "On Another Plane: Part 1"
1991–92 Drexell's Class Brenda Drexell 18 episodes
1992 Kids Incorporated Celeste Episode: "Lay Off"
1992 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Angie Episode: "The Kiss"
1993 Almost Home Molly Morgan 13 episodes
1993 Blossom Wendy Episode: "Blossom in Paris: Part 1"
1994 Frasier Olsen Episode: "Give Him the Chair!"
1994 Party of Five Abby 2 episodes
1994–95 Sister, Sister Sarah 6 episodes
1995 Boy Meets World Trini Martin 2 episodes
1995 The Marshal Lizzie Roth Episode: "These Foolish Things"
1995 seaQuest DSV Christine VanCamp Episode: "Second Chance"
1995 Murder One Diane "Dee-Dee" Carson Episode: "Chapter Nine"
1996 Double Jeopardy Julia Movie
1996 Nash Bridges Carrie Episode: "Night Train"
1996 Clueless Jasmine Episode: "Driving Me Crazy"
1997–
2009
King of the Hill Luanne Platter (voice)
Various characters (voice)
226 episodes
1998 David and Lisa Lisa
1999 The Devil's Arithmetic Rivkah Showtime film
1999–
2000
Pepper Ann Tank the 8th grader (voice) 3 episodes
2000 Common Ground Dorothy Nelson Movie
2005 I'm Still Here Voiceover Documentary about The Holocaust
2009 Tribute Cilla McGowan Movie
2009 Megafault Dr. Amy Lane Movie

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Karen Light (voice)
2006 Happy Feet Gloria (voice)
Music videos
Year Song Artist Notes
1995 "Here" Luscious Jackson
2001 "A Little Respect" Wheatus
2004 "Closest Thing to Heaven" Tears for Fears
2006 "Faster Kill Pussycat" Paul Oakenfold Also provided vocals on song
Stage credits
Year Production Role Location
1997 A View from the Bridge[56] Catherine Broadway

Awards and nominations

Annie Awards
1997 King of the Hill Best Individual Achievement: Voice Acting by a Female Performer in a TV Production Nominated
2000 King of the Hill Best Individual Achievement: Voice Acting by a Female Performer in a TV Production Nominated
2005 King of the Hill Best Individual Achievement: Voice Acting by a Female Performer in a TV Production Won
DVD Exclusive Awards
2001 Bongwater Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2001 Zack and Reba Best Actress Nominated
Razzie Awards
2004 Just Married Worst Screen Couple (shared with Ashton Kutcher) Nominated
2004 Just Married Worst Supporting Actress Nominated
Satellite Awards
2002 Don't Say a Word Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Nominated
Spike Video Game Awards
2006 Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Best Supporting Female Performance Nominated
Teen Choice Awards
2003 Just Married Choice Movie Actress—Comedy Nominated
2003 8 Mile Choice Movie Actress—Drama/Action-Adventure Nominated
2003 8 Mile Choice Lip Lock (shared with Eminem) Won
2003 Just Married Choice Lip Lock (shared with Ashton Kutcher) Nominated
2005 Little Black Book Choice Movie Actress—Drama Nominated
Young Artist Awards
1996 N/A Best Professional Actress/Singer Nominated
1996 Clueless Best Young Supporting Actress in a Feature Film Nominated
1999 David and Lisa Best Performance in a TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series or Series—Leading Young Actress Nominated
2000 Girl, Interrupted Best Young Leading Actress in a Feature Film Nominated

References

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  15. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.; "A non-denominational Christian, she wears a cross around her neck and has my whole life —I feel more comfortable with a cross."
  16. What Went Wrong With Brittany Murphy?: Was It Drugs, Anorexia or Her 'Shady' Husband" That Led to Her Death at 32? Luchina Fisher. ABC News. December 22, 2009.
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  19. King of the Hill awards IMDB
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  23. Angus, Kat (December 1, 2009). "Twilight New Moon actress replaces Brittany Murphy, who 'was not' fired from movie". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
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  36. Britanny Murphy's death certficate, from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, via AutopsyFiles.org
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  39. "L.A. Coroner Releases Brittany Murphy's Death Certificate" US Magazine. December 29, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
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  48. Brittany Murphy coroner lawsuit filed by father dismissed | abc7.com
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  53. Brittany Murphy Foundation 'not a charity', news.com.au. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  54. Angelo Bertolotti launches Brittany Murphy Foundation, [1]. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  55. The Ramen Girl, NYTimes.com, retrieved 11.19.13
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External links