Brittany Murphy was an American actress and singer who died tragically on December 20, 2009, at age 32. After several weeks of speculation, the coroner listed the cause of death as a combination of acute pneumonia and severe anemia, adding that a toxic mix of over-the-counter and prescribed medications she was taking for a possible respiratory infection had only served to further weaken her compromised immune system. Later talk of toxic mold being the actual cause of death were unfounded.

Brittany Murphy got her start in acting in Hollywood at the age of 13, getting roles in several television series, but is probably best known for her film roles. "Clueless", which debuted in 1995, was her first feature film and chance at a lead role, but it was her role in her second film, 1999's "Girl, Interrupted," that put her squarely on the Hollywood map. After that, Brittany enjoyed parts in several big-budget films, such as "Drop Dead Gorgeous," "Don't Say A Word" and "8 Mile." She has several other credits to her name, including parts as a voice actor.

Music was yet another facet of the talented Brittany Murphy's career. She was part of a band in the 1990's, Blessed Soul, with fellow actor Eric Balfour, but it was her collaboration with Paul Oakenfold, "Faster Kill Pussycat," in 2006 that earned her a number one hit on Billboard's Hot Club Dance Play chart.

After her untimely demise, Brittany's widow, Simon Monjack, and her mother, Sharon, set up a charitable fund for children's arts education to honor her name and memory, aptly called the Brittany Murphy Foundation. Unfortunately, in an effort to set up the non-profit quickly to keep her memory alive, it was not done properly and all donations had to be returned, and the Foundation put on hold, until the correct status was achieved.