Person Details

Birthday: 1977-11-10 07:13:11

Death: 2009-12-20 07:13:11

Aliases: Brittany Anne Bertolotti

Gender: Female

Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Homepage:

Movie Involvements: 26

TV Involvements: 7


Most Famous Work

Biography

Was an American actress and singer. Born in New Jersey, Murphy moved to Los Angeles at the age of 14 with her mother Sharon, in the hopes of landing acting roles. She quickly landed spots in commercials and guest starring roles on television, and appeared as a series regular on two short-lived family sitcoms, Drexell's Class and Almost Home. But it wasn't until 1995 that Murphy became something of a household name, winning the role of the "tragically unhip" new girl Tai in the era-defining teen classic Clueless. Following the film's breakout success, Murphy embarked on a string of scene-stealing character roles, as quirky head-cases in films like Drop Dead Gorgeous and Riding in Cars with Boys, or as mentally disturbed young women in films including Freeway and the Oscar-winning drama Girl, Interrupted. She also nabbed a lucrative starring role in the long-running animated comedy King of the Hill, which ran from 1997 to 2010. In 2001, Murphy broke out as a leading lady with a memorable role in the Michael Douglas thriller Don't Say a Word, before bagging the female lead in the critically-acclaimed box office smash 8 Mile. Soon after, Murphy grew in-demand as a comedy star, appearing alongside Ashton Kutcher in Just Married, and headlining comedies Uptown Girls and Little Black Book. She also stole scenes in Robert Rodriguez's comic book adaptation Sin City, and supplied the voice for singing penguin Gloria in Happy Feet. She also set in motion a singing career of her own, finally capitalising on the vocal chops that had in 2000 landed her the highly-coveted role of Janis Joplin in an ultimately aborted biopic of the tragic singer. Faster Kill Pussycat, her collaboration with DJ Paul Oakenfold, became an international hit on the dance charts. In late 2005, Murphy was dropped by her management at ICM, on the heels of tabloid rumors about her shifting weight and accusations of drug use. Murphy's publicists had, earlier in the year, released a statement to the media denying all claims. But the behind-the-scenes chaos soured Murphy's reputation within the industry, and she would go on to struggle professionally. Later films included the low-budget thrillers Deadline and Something Wicked, and SyFy TV movie Megafault, produced by schlock maestros The Asylum. Hopes of a mainstream comeback were also dashed when she was replaced in Happy Feet Two by the singer Pink, while a supporting role in The Expendables was written out at script stage. It was during this time that Murphy married film producer Simon Monjack, despite warnings from industry figures about his background. In 2009, Murphy was fired from the set of the supernatural thriller The Caller. Less than a month later, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a "medical request" at the home Murphy shared with Monjack and her mother. Murphy had reportedly collapsed, and despite attempts to resuscitate her at the scene, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Murphy was found to have died from pneumonia, anaemia and multiple prescription drug intoxication. Despite the findings, Murphy's father, Angelo Bertolotti, continues to fight for a new investigation into her passing.

Most Famous Work

seaQuest DSV
Average
7

seaQuest DSV

(1993) Christine VanCamp
8 Mile
Average
7

8 Mile

(2002) Alex
Sin City
Average
7

Sin City

(2005) Shellie
Girl, Interrupted
Average
8

Girl, Interrupted

(1999) Daisy Randone
Don't Say a Word
Average
6

Don't Say a Word

(2001) Elisabeth Burrows
Cherry Falls
Average
5

Cherry Falls

(2000) Jody Marken
The Prophecy II
Average
6

The Prophecy II

(1998) Izzy
Abandoned
Average
5

Abandoned

(2010) Mary

Acting

Year Character Movie/Tv
2021 Self (archive footage)
2020 Self (archive footage)
2014 Susan
2010 Mary
2009 Dr. Amy Lane
Alice Evans
June
Cilla McGowan
2008 Colleen O'Hallahan (voice)
Abby
2006 Gloria (voice)
Krista
Emily Jackson
Sue
2005 Self - Guest
Narrator
Maggie Blake
Anonymous girl / Elsa Binder (voice)
Shellie
Herself
2004 Stacy
2003 Nelly (voice)
Self
Molly Gunn
Self
Self (uncredited)
Self
N/A
Sarah McNerney
2002 Alex
Nikki
N/A
2001 Ashley
Fay Forrester
Elisabeth Burrows
Dede Mulligan
2000 Jody Marken
Nurse Bellows
Ruby Pearli
Dorothy Nelson
1999 Daisy Randone
Emily Nicholson
Lisa Swenson
Rivkah
1998 Reba Simpson
Lisa
Veronica
Mary
Izzy
1997 Self
Deliverance Bodine
Luanne Platter (voice)
1996 N/A
Rhonda
Self
N/A
Julia Neuland
1995 Tai Frasier
Diane 'Dee Dee' Carson
N/A
Lizzie Roth
1994 N/A
Sarah
1993 N/A
Olsen
Self - Guest
Christine VanCamp
Elise
Molly Morgan
1992 N/A
1991 Molly Morgan
Brenda Drexell
1990 N/A
1975 Self - Host
N/A
Year Character Movie/Tv

Production

Year Role Movie/Tv
2008 Producer
Year Role Movie/Tv

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