Sunday, December 19, 2010

A Year Later: Remembering The Life Of Brittany Murphy

Entertainment, Life: 
It’s been a year: December 20, 2010 marks the one year anniversary of Hollywood film star Brittany Murphy’s tragic death. The charismatic artist was a tender 32-years-old when she was discovered unconscious in the shower of her Hollywood Hills home. 

Murphy, a bright-faced Atlanta native, gained global fame for her work in breakout films like CluelessJust MarriedGirl InterruptedSpun8 MileUptown GirlsSin CityHappy Feet, and Riding in Cars with Boys. The screen siren knew how to capture an audience. 

Film critic Roger Ebert acclaimed her acting talent, giving positive reviews to several of her films. Ebert  even went as far as comparing the young fire cracker to legendary comedian, Lucille Ball. 

The world first fell in love with Brittany Murphy as the "outcast new kid" turned “it-girl,” Tai, in the ’95 teen classic Clueless. From here, the actress was in huge demand snagging roles alongside silver screen big-shots like Bruce Willis, Winona Ryder, Nicole Kidman, Kathy Bates and Angelina Jolie

With positive reviews and praises up the wazoo, Brittany Murphy had the successful film career many artists could only dream of. As a woman of many talents, Ms. Murphy, who starred in 38 films to date, even scored herself the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart with club hit “Faster Kill Pussycat,” which featured Paul Oakenfold.

The story: According to an online source, at 8:00pm (16:00 GMT) on December 20, 2009, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to "a medical request” at the Los Angeles home Murphy and Monjack shared. Actress Brittany Murphy had apparently collapsed in a bathroom where she was shortly after discovered by her mother, Sharon Murphy. Firefighters attempted to resuscitate Murphy on the scene. She was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on arrival at 10:04pm after going into cardiac arrest.

Shortly after her death, Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told the Associated Press: "It appears to be natural.” 

An autopsy was performed on December 21, 2009. Her death certificate listed the cause of death as “deferred”. 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.”

Her death and tales of tragedy are still devastating 365 days later. We remember and celebrate the artist that is Brittany Murphy. 
"I ask a lot because I’m very curious...” 
Brittany Murphy
 
“I’m a creative person. I’ve always chosen people who are entertaining themselves.” 
Brittany Murphy 
“You’re a virgin who can’t drive.” 
Brittany Murphy as Tai; Clueless 1995
"I’ve always seen myself as one of those ’show people.’ My earliest memories are wanting and needing to entertain people, like a gypsy traveler who goes from place to place, city to city, performing for audiences 
and reaching people.” 
Brittany Murphy 

[Photo credit: Simon Monjack]

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

so so sad!

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