Brittany Murphy of “8 Mile” and “Clueless” dies after cardiac arrest at age 32

UPDATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2009, 2:36 PM EST: Even as I was originally typing this post, more details were unfolding regarding Brittany Murphy. I’ll let the big kids on a payroll (i.e. large media outlets) chase details, and I’ll post some links with the latest from time to time. I see this as my personal reaction and encourage you to share yours, as well as any links to stories that you found particularly informative or moving.

I’m completely stunned.  Heart attack? Cardiac arrest? Age 32?  5 days before Christmas?  It’s impossible to read this and not be affected, at least just a little.  At 10:04 am this morning, after being rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles,  Brittany Murphy, born on Nov 10, 1977, was pronounced dead from a reported heart attack after suffering cardiac arrest.  Born on November 10, 1977, she just recently celebrated 32 years of life.

I feel like I grew up with Brittany from the time that her career took off in the 1990s.  For me, her most memorable moments that come to mind for me were her roles as Rabbit’s (played by Eminem) love interest named Alex in “8 Mile,” the beautiful disaster gal pal to Cher (played by Alicia Silverstone) named Tai “Clueless” or the anorexic girl who is fatefully troubled (now feels super eerie to type this) named Daisy in “Girl, Interrupted.” Beyond these few roles, Brittany had an extensive resume that included more films, tv shows (loved her guest appearances on “Blossom“), and even her own music (something I just learned).

I just went to her Myspace page (www.myspace.com/brittanyofficial) and like so many gone too soon, it’s filled with messages of condolences.

This year, Brittany was continuing her work as the voice of Luanne on “King of the Hill” as well as wrapping up several film projects including “Shrinking Charlotte,” “The Expendables,” and “Something Wicked.”  Immediate family she leaves behind is her husband of 2 too short years, Simon Monjack.

As I type this post, I can’t get the song that plays as the end of “Girl, Interrupted” by her own character Daisy called “The End of the World” by Skeeter Davis out of my head.  I dedicate the below live performance of the song in Brittany Murphy’s honor.

RIP…

Related Links

• IMDB– Brittany Murphy
• Mahalo (bio)- Brittany Murphy
• BLOG! For Your Life– Brittany Murphy died of natural causes
• Gossip Center– Brittany Murphy’s husband arrives, police investigate
• Celebzweb.com– Producer of Brittany’s latest movie: “She was a great girl with a big heart.”
• MTV Movie News– Brittany Murphy dead at 32
• AllHipHop.com Daily News– “8 Mile” actress Brittany Murphy dead at 32
• NY Times– Brittany Murphy, actress, dies at 32
• LA Times– Actress Brittany Murphy dead at 32
• The Huffington Post– Brittany Murphy DEAD: Dies of cardiac arrest
• NY Daily News– Actress Brittany Murphy dies at 32 of heart attack
• Splash News– Brittany Murphy dies