Brittany Murphy dies at 32 'of heart attack'

Published on Monday 21 December 2009 00:15

HOLLYWOOD actress Brittany Murphy has died aged 32.

She was rushed to hospital after collapsing at her home, reportedly having suffered a massive heart attack.

A spokeswoman at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles announced she died at 10am local time on Saturday.

The statement did not identify a cause of death, but it was reported that Murphy was found unconscious in the shower by her mother.

Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call at 8am on Saturday from a home in Los Angeles belonging to Murphy's husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack. He was not thought to have been at home at the time.

Murphy starred in films including Clueless, 8 Mile and Don't Say a Word.

Celebrities began paying tribute to her on their Twitter pages yesterday.

Her ex-boyfriend and Just Married co-star Ashton Kutcher wrote: "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon."

Murphy was born in November 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia, but was raised in New Jersey an only child.

She shot to fame after her breakthrough appearance in the film Clueless in 1995. Her role as rapper Eminem's girlfriend in 8 Mile in 2003 led to more recognition, but her last big movie was Sin City in 2005.

As her on-screen roles declined, her voice gave life to numerous animated characters, including Luanne Platter on more than 200 episodes King of the Hill.