It's hard to know what to say at a time like this. Brittany Murphy, age 32, was found dead in her home over the weekend, the victim of a heart attack. It's hard to process, this young star being taken from us by something that isn't supposed to be a danger for women until they've hit the age of 50. The best we can do for now is to honor her memory with a look back at her tragically abbreviated career.
The image below comes from "Clueless," the Amy Heckerling comedy from 1995 that first put Murphy into the public eye for many. It's a movie that in many ways launched her career, leading to memorable roles in the Eminem-starring "8 Mile," "Girl, Interrupted," "Spun," "Sin City" and "Happy Feet," plus a recurring role on the hit animated series from Mike Judge, "King of the Hill."
"Clueless" (1995): Murphy's film debut came in what became an instant classic to teens around the world. Just as director Amy Heckerling done in her earlier film, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "Clueless" launched the careers of a slew of talented young actors: Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, Donald Faison, and of course Murphy.
"King of the Hill" (1997-2009): Murphy's longest running job was ironically one in which she was virtually unrecognizable: playing Luanne Platter, niece to Hank and Peggy Hill on the extremely popular Fox animated comedy, "King of the Hill."
"Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999): A black comedy set in the cutthroat world of beauty pageants, Murphy shared the screen with Denise Richard, Kirsten Dunst and Amy Adams, in the future Oscar nominee's debut role.
"Girl, Interrupted" (1999): In a film filled with impressive performances by young actresses Murphy certainly held her own, opposite no less than Angelina Jolie (who earned an supporting actress Oscar for her role) and Winona Ryder.
"Don't Say a Word" (2001): This by-the-numbers thriller co-starring Michael Douglas was probably most memorable for Murphy's haunting uttering of what became one of the most oft-repeated movie lines of the season, "I'll never tell."
"Riding in Cars with Boys" (2001): Helmed by Penny Marshall, this film teamed Murphy with kindred free spirit Drew Barrymore. Murphy recalled her relationship with Barrymore as "Love at first sight. We got along like a house on fire from the second we met."
"8 Mile" (2002): In this critical and commercial phenomenon, Murphy portrayed Eminem's first (and, to date, only) big-screen love interest. When their relationship extended for a time into real life, it lent all the more power to their very apparent on-screen chemistry.
"Just Married" (2003): Though not a box office success, Murphy and co-star Ashton Kutcher made the most of their time together, dating for a time after the film wrapped (and hosting MTV's New Year Eve coverage in 2002).
"Uptown Girls" (2003): Murphy went from riches-to-rags as the spoiled, wealthy Molly, a daughter of a deceased rock star, who upon losing her fortune, is forced to become a nanny to an uptight 8-year-old (Dakota Fanning). Ultra-spontaneous and irresponsible (yet oh-so-charming) at first, Molly manages to grow up while her precocious charge learns how to be a kid.
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