ET looks back at Brittany Murphy’s death, from the eerie details surrounding her Hollywood Hills mansion, to the husband who died in the same house just months later under similar circumstances. A movie star of the ‘90s and ‘00s –- best known for her roles in ‘Clueless,’ ‘Girl, Interrupted’ and ‘8 Mile’ –- Brittany took her last breath at 32 years old on Dec. 20, 2009. Despite the efforts of her mother, Sharon Murphy, and husband of two years, Simon Monjack –- who are heard in a frantic 911 call –- to revive Brittany, the actress died from a combination of pneumonia, anemia and a fatal mix of prescription medications. At the time of her death, Brittany was years past her career peak, which included leading roles on the big screen and a high-profile romance with ‘Just Married’ co-star Ashton Kutcher. In the aftermath, her mom and husband embarked on a curious press tour, with their interviews on ‘Larry King Live’ and ‘Today’ fueling rumors about Brittany’s tragic death. After Simon died at their L.A. home from the same health issues as Brittany, an air of mystery was cemented around their deaths. While theories surrounding mold and poisoning were disproven, the online discourse later shifted to the house’s previous owner, Britney Spears, who reportedly claimed the home was haunted. After Brittany was laid to rest on Christmas Eve 2009, details began emerging about her British husband’s sordid reputation and their chaotic moments behind the scenes of her final movies. In Max’s 2021 documentary, ‘What Happened, Brittany Murphy?,’ Kathy Najimy — who was Aunt Peggy to Brittany’s Luann on ‘King of the Hill’ — emotionally recalls witnessing Simon’s negative influence on her longtime co-star. ET also looks at Brittany’s rise to fame, with a vault of rare footage and unseen interviews. Along her Hollywood journey, Brittany opened up about her never-realized dreams of a singing career, working with some of today’s biggest A-list stars and what drove her trademark bubbly demeanor.
December 29, 2024