R.I.P. Brittany Murphy

Born: November 10, 1977
Died: December 20, 2009

5'5" actress Brittany Anne Murphy died today in her West Hollywood home just a little over a month after her 32nd birthday.

Thus far authorities and reports state that Murphy died of "cardiac arrest" and even "natural causes". Natural causes at age 32? I find that hard to believe. A good friend of mine summarized my thoughts pretty concisely: "Anyone ever hear of Karen Carpenter?"

Time will tell what the official cause of death was. An autopsy is scheduled for the next couple days.

However, what is official is that audiences have lost a great entertainer with a lot of talent, energy, and charm. Another great talent lost far too soon.

Moving with her mother to California, Murphy started her career in the early 1990s appearing on shows such as "Blossom", "Murphy Brown", "Kids Incorporated", "Frasier", and "Party of Five".

Her major breakthrough came with the role as Tai in the hit comedy Clueless alongside Alicia Silverstone. From there, Murphy went on to gain major audience and critical acclaim with her appearances in films such as Drop Dead Gorgeous, Riding in Cars With Boys, Just Married, 8 Mile, and Uptown Girls, among many others.

Two of my personal favorite film appearances of Brittany Murphy's were as Daisy Randone in Girl, Interrupted and as Shellie in Sin City.

Murphy also had a busy voice over career having voiced Luane Platter in 231 episodes of "King of the Hill", for which she won an Annie Award in 2005. She also provided voice over work for Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs and Happy Feet.

This well-loved actress who stated that "home is where my Mom is" will be greatly missed by many.

Below is a scene with Brittany, Angelina Jolie, and Winona Ryder from Girl, Interrupted.