Brittany Murphy
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Brittany Murphy | |
---|---|
Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, voice artist |
Years active | 1991–2009 |
Spouse | Simon Monjack (2007–2009) |
Brittany Murphy (November 10, 1977 – December 20, 2009)[1] was an American actress and singer. She starred in films such as Clueless, Girl, Interrupted, 8 Mile, Uptown Girls, Sin City, Happy Feet, and Riding in Cars with Boys. She also voiced Luanne Platter on the animated TV series King of the Hill. Her final film, Abandoned, is expected to be released in spring 2010.
Early life
Brittany Murphy was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 10, 1977.[2] Her parents, Sharon Murphy and Angelo Bertolotti, divorced when she was two years old, and Murphy was raised by her mother in Edison, New Jersey, and later in Los Angeles, where they moved so Murphy could pursue an acting career.[3][4][5] 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."[2] Murphy's mother is of Irish and Eastern European descent and her father is Italian American.[6][7] She was raised a Baptist and later became a non-denominational Christian.[8][9]
Murphy has two older half-brothers, Jeff and Tony Bertolotti, and a younger half-sister, Pia Bertolotti.[10]
Acting
Murphy landed her first job in Hollywood when she was age 14, 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 and Frasier. She also had recurring roles on Sister, Sister; Party of Five and Boy Meets World. In 1997, she began voicing the character of Luanne Platter (as well as the younger version of Joseph Gribble) on the long-running animated series King of the Hill.
Murphy starred in several films, including Clueless (1995); Girl, Interrupted (1999); Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999); Don't Say a Word (2001); the TV adaption of the novel The Devil's Arithmetic (2001); 8 Mile (2002) and Uptown Girls (2003) as well as many lesser-known films, such as Spun (2003). In 2004, she starred in the romantic comedy Little Black Book, and the critically acclaimed Sin City (2005). She starred in two Edward Burns films: Sidewalks of New York (2001) and The Groomsmen (2006). Film critic Roger Ebert acclaimed her acting talent, giving good reviews to several of her films and comparing her to Lucille Ball.[11] In 2009, she was cast in the Lifetime TV movie, Tribute, as the main character, Cilla. She was set to appear in the Sylvester Stallone film, The Expendables, which will be released in 2010.[2]
Murphy was also a voice actor. She voiced the character Luanne Platter on the FOX animated sitcom King of the Hill for the entirety of the show's run. She also provided the voice for Gloria the penguin in the 2006 feature Happy Feet.[12] She was nominated for an Annie Award for voice acting in the King of the Hill episode "Movin' On Up".[13]
Music and modeling
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.[14] It also hit number seven in the UK singles chart in June 2006.[15]
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 starred in Wheatus' video "A Little Respect" alongside actor Shawn Hatosy. She has also appeared in the music video for Luscious Jackson's "Here" and Tears for Fears' "Closest Thing to Heaven".[16]
In 2005, Murphy signed as the spokesmodel for Jordache jeans.[17]
Personal life
In late 2002, Murphy began dating Ashton Kutcher, her co-star in Just Married.[18] 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.[19] In August 2006, they ended their engagement.[19] In May 2007, Murphy married British screenwriter Simon Monjack in a private Jewish ceremony in Los Angeles.[20] For the last 3 and a half years of her life, Murphy, her mother and Monjack lived in the same house together.[21]
Death
At 8:00 a.m. (16:00 UTC) on December 20, 2009, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to "a medical request"[22] at the Los Angeles home Murphy and Monjack shared. She had apparently collapsed in a bathroom.[2] Firefighters attempted to resuscitate Murphy on the scene. She was subsequently transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on arrival[23] at 10:04 a.m. after going into cardiac arrest.[2][22] The official cause of death is yet to be determined, but Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told the Associated Press: "It appears to be natural."[24][25][26] An autopsy was performed on December 21, 2009. Full results will not be available for several weeks; authorities are looking into her medical records and toxicology reports.[25][26]
Filmography
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | Family Prayers | Elsie | Alternative title: A Family Divided |
1995 | Clueless | Tai | |
1996 | Freeway | Rhonda | |
1997 | Bongwater | Mary | |
Drive | Deliverance Bodine | ||
1998 | Falling Sky | Emily Nicholson | |
The Prophecy II | Izzy | Direct-to-video release | |
Zack and Reba | Reba Simpson | ||
1999 | Drop Dead Gorgeous | Lisa Swenson | |
Girl, Interrupted | Daisy Randone | ||
2000 | Trixie | Ruby Pearli | |
Angels! | Nurse Bellows | ||
Cherry Falls | Jody Marken | ||
The Audition | Daniella | Short subject | |
2001 | Sidewalks of New York | Ashley | |
Summer Catch | Dede Mulligan | ||
Don't Say a Word | Elisabeth Burrows | ||
Riding in Cars with Boys | Fay Forrester | ||
2002 | Spun | Nikki | |
Something in Between | Sky | ||
8 Mile | Alex Latourno | ||
2003 | Just Married | Sarah | |
Uptown Girls | Molly Gunn | ||
Good Boy! | Nelly | Voice | |
2004 | Little Black Book | Stacy Holt | |
2005 | Sin City | Shellie | |
Neverwas | Maggie Blake | ||
2006 | The Groomsmen | Sue | |
Love and Other Disasters | Emily "Jacks" Jackson | ||
Happy Feet | Gloria | Voice | |
The Dead Girl | Krista Kutcher | ||
2008 | The Ramen Girl | Abby | |
Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs | Colleen (voice) | Direct-to-DVD release | |
2009 | Deadline | Alice | |
Across the Hall | June | ||
2010 | Abandoned | Mary |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1991 | Murphy Brown | Frank's sister | 1 episode |
1991–1992 | Drexell's Class | Brenda Drexell | 18 episodes |
1992 | Kids Incorporated | Celeste | 1 episode |
Parker Lewis Can't Lose | Angie | 1 episode | |
1993 | Almost Home | Molly Morgan | 13 episodes |
Blossom | Wendy | 1 episode | |
1994 | Frasier | Olsen | 1 episode |
Party of Five | Abby | 2 episodes | |
1994–1995 | Sister, Sister | Sarah | 6 episodes |
1995 | Boy Meets World | Trini | 2 episodes |
The Marshal | Lizzie Roth | 1 episode | |
seaQuest DSV | Christine VanCamp | 1 episode | |
Murder One | Diane "Dee-Dee" Carson | 1 episode | |
1996 | Double Jeopardy | Julia | Television movie |
Nash Bridges | Carrie | 1 episode | |
Clueless | Jasmine | 1 episode | |
1997–2009 | King of the Hill | Luanne Platter (voice) Various characters (voice) |
226 episodes |
1998 | David and Lisa | Lisa | Television movie |
1999 | The Devil's Arithmetic | Rivkah | Television movie |
1999–2000 | Pepper Ann | Tank the 8th grader (voice) | 3 episodes |
2000 | Common Ground | Dorothy Nelson | Television movie |
2009 | Tribute | Cilla McGowan | Television movie |
Megafault | Dr. Amy Lane | Television movie |
References
- ^ a b "Actress Brittany Murphy dead at 32". CNN. 20 December 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
{{cite news}}
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value (help) - ^ a b c d e "Brittany Murphy, Actress, Dies at 32". The New York Times. 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
- ^ Rochlin, Margy (2001-09-30). "Film; A Young Trouper Who Plays Crazy as Well as Sexy". The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
- ^ The Associated Press (2009-12-20). "Brittany Murphy's father mourns actress' death". Florida AP. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
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(help) - ^ Brittany Murphy Dead: Dies At Just 32
- ^ Wollman Rusoff, Jane (2001-10-18). "The rising actress switches gears and goes from crazy to sexy for Riding in Cars With Boys". Mr. Showbiz. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ McGoldrick, Debbie (2005). "Brittany: I'm Irish!". Irish Voice. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ Horowitz, Josh (2006-12-28). "Role Call: Brittany Murphy On Playing Prostitute, Penguin". MTV.com. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
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(help) - ^ "Uptown Brittany, Effervescent Actress Finds Herself Cast As A Tabloid Darling While Her Career Moves Into Fast Lane". San Jose Mercury News. 2003-08-11. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
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(help); "A non-denominational Christian, she wears a cross around her neck and has my whole life —I feel more comfortable with a cross." - ^ What Went Wrong With Brittany Murphy?
- ^ Little Black Book
- ^ Actress Brittany Murphy Dies - EInsiders
- ^ IMDB
- ^ "Paul Oakenfold Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
- ^ ""Faster Kill Pussycat" Chart Stats page". www.chartstats.com.
- ^ Brittany Murphy Trivia and Quotes TV.com. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
- ^ "Brittany Murphy, new face of Jordache". MSNBC. July 25, 2005. Retrieved September 2, 2009.
- ^ Miller, Samantha (January 20, 2003). "Baby, Let's Play Married". People. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
- ^ a b Ingrassia, Lisa (August 22, 2006). "Brittany Murphy, Fiancé End Engagement". People. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
- ^ Fleeman, Mike (August 5, 2007). "Brittany Murphy Marries Writer-Director".
- ^ Brittany Murphy's husband mourns
- ^ a b Helfand, Duke (December 20, 2009). "Actress Brittany Murphy dead at 32". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
- ^ Dore, Shalini (2009-12-20). "Actress Brittany Murphy dies at 32". Variety. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ McCartney, Anthony (2009-12-21). "Actress Brittany Murphy dies in LA at age 32". AP. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ a b "Brittany Murphy's family pay tribute to 'shining star'". BBC News. 2009-12-21. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
- ^ a b Davies, Rebecca (2009-12-21). "Brittany Murphy death was "natural"". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
External links
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