Warner Bros. 'Killed' Brittany Murphy, Says Husband

By Marc Schneider Posted Jan 28th 2010 08:57AM

The official cause of death for Brittany Murphy has not been released, though the coroner's office has indicated "it appears to be natural," meaning no foul play involved. But the late star's husband, Simon Monjack, has a specific culprit in mind: Warner Brothers. In a sprawling interview with The Daily Beast, Monjack reveals he is readying a wrongful-death lawsuit against the studio, claiming it caused her to have a heart attack by allegedly firing her from a sequel to 'Happy Feet,' just weeks before her death.

"They killed her," he claims of the studio, by crushing her chances at reviving a once-booming career. "She was devastated" by the move, which Monjack purports was made because of reports that Murphy had been a drunken mess on the Puerto Rico set of 'The Caller.' She was fired from that film and promptly replaced.

"It's a cruel town," he says. "Warner Brothers relied on conjecture and hearsay about the Puerto Rico film for why they canceled Brittany's role in 'Happy Feet.' You're disposable as an actress or actor."

Murphy was the voice of Gloria in the 2006 original, which made over $380 million worldwide, but Monjack claims Warners was paying her very little to reprise the role. The studio was giving her $10,000 a day, with a five-day minimum, and the likelihood of box office bonuses.

The grieving widower thinks he has just cause for taking the studio to court over her dismissal. "I am tough," he admits. "I litigate when somebody does something wrong to me."

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Remembering Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy was part of the In Memorium segment during the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held Jan. 23 in Los Angeles. See More Pics of the Late Actress >>

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Brittany Murphy Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 23: In Memorium screen to actress Brittany Murphy at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 23, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy Snapshots

Simon Monjack, left, husband of deceased actress Brittany Murphy, and Murphy's mother Sharon pose with a portrait of the actress, in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. Monjack said the portrait by photographer Bruce Weber was Murphy's favorite photo of herself. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Brittany Murphy Snapshots

Simon Monjack, left, husband of deceased actress Brittany Murphy and Murphy's mother Sharon pose with a portrait of the actress in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. Monjack said the portrait by photographer Bruce Weber was Murphy's favorite photo of herself. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Brittany Murphy Snapshots

FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2008 file photo, actress Brittany Murphy attends the Max Azria 2008 Fall Collection during Fashion Week, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File)

Brittany Murphy Snapshots

FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2008 file photo, actress Brittany Murphy attends the Max Azria 2008 Fall Collection during Fashion Week, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File)

Brittany Murphy Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Brittany Murphy's grave at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Murphy was laid to rest during a private funeral held on December 24th. EXCLUSIVE December 26th, 2009 Job: 91226P7 Hollywood, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Brittany Murphy Snapshots

WWW.BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Brittany Murphy was laid to rest at Forrest Lawn cemetery, Hollywood Hills at 3.00 pm on Christmas Eve 2009. About 16 friends and family attended. Non-Exclusive. Los Angeles. Dec 24 2009 Job No 91224NN1 www.bauergriffinonline.com www.bauergriffin.com

Brittany Murphy Snapshots

Monjack says all the rumors about Murphy's partying and alleged drug use cost her more and more roles as the years went by.

"All she wanted to do was to make movies," he says. "She was waiting for the role that would revive her career, waiting for the call from Penny Marshall or Gary Fleder, people she had worked with before, that they might remember how talented an actress she was and call with a new magical role."

Also in the Beast interview (conducted by Gerald Posner), Monjack recounts in detail the day Murphy died.

She had gone to the bathroom shortly before 8 a.m. "That was her comfort zone in our very huge home," he says. "It was the only Brittany-size room." There was a small table, and she often spent hours there. When her mother went to talk to her, she found her laying on the floor unconscious, and yelled out for Simon.

"I came running in. I immediately started doing CPR." Sharon remembers that the 5'3" Murphy, at barely over 100 pounds, seemed so very tiny as her 6'2", 235-pound husband worked on her.

"I felt a tiny heart beat," Monjack told me, his voice cracking over the phone. "I was pushing with the heel of my hand. And every second I pushed, I felt my hand become stronger and her heart weaker. And then it stopped. And I kept pushing. She died in my arms. I knew she was dead."

►Read the Full Interview Over at The Daily Beast

Tags: brittany murphy, simon monjack

Comments

(35)

Thursday 28 January

By NDB

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

R.I.P. Brittany.

By zack

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

yeah because an ANIMATED movie is gonna re-start a career. Ya know, it shows off all of your acting talents...

gimme a break. she was snorting her career up her nose and throwing it up the next minute

By Mark

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

zack,you are a loser.

By frank

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yes i agree zack. i don't think your a looser it's cool

By msknowitall

Did you bother to READ the WHOLE article? She didn't do drugs you jerk.

By jean

I think i'll wait for the coroner's report,before i judge her or anyone else.

By Silent Hill

It's a shame Britt died, but this guy is an A-hole who just wants revenge. You need to be professional at work. The studio doesn't "owe" anyone a livelyhood. Being drunk/drugged can cost them millions. Imagine if you went to work drunk? You'd get fired. If your next employer got wind of it, he wouldn't hire you. The studio didn't kill her, they fired her. Big difference.

By GONETOTHEDOGS

This has to be the most abusive use of any court system. Even the consideration of such a lawsuit is plain and simply stupid. The idea that because Warner Brothers choose not to hire her has zero ground for a lawsuit. Monjack is just looking for headlines in the wake of his wife's death. Shame on you Monjack. Shame, Shame, Shame on you. Your wife passing of a heart attack may be painful but WB bears no responsibility.

By LMW

I guess Zack was there with britt when she was partying and supposedly snorting drugs! I love how people are so quick to judge! Well, its my turn........Grow up zack, and have some respect! Your totally ignorant to the whole situation!

By bill

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

huh and I guess you were? you probably have her poster on your wall eh. oh and you the public put these people on a pedestal like they are more important then doctors. 10,000 a day that's a lot more then the people that save lives make.So get with it.i think it is you that have to grow up.

By Piccolo

Why do people always look to blame somebody else? Take responsibilty for your actions. The gravy train has left the terminal.

By judy

If she died because she lost a job, then what about all the people out there who have lost their jobs, and did not have millions of dollars to fall back on? These hollywood people are so in love with themselves, it is almost unbelievable.

By Liz

Zack,

Were u there?

By Ashley

I thougt she did a great job in Yes Man with Jim Carey. I am going to rent The Happening and Elf tonight as a tribute.

By USAFGIRL

No disrespect Ashley, but the actress you are thinking about who starred in Yes Man, The Happening, and Elf is Zoey Deshanel. She is very much alive. Brittany Murphy was in movies such as Just Married and Girl Interupted. Totally different actress.

By woody

Well, he isn't exactly saying she didn't drink.

By amj415

Brittany was great in Clueless and Just Married and I was sad to see of her passing. This husband, however, is just after money money money and certainly publicity. I just can't stand the way people take advantage of situations. It's disgusting.

Tuesday 16 February

By USAF1977

Hollywood lost a wonderful actress on 12/20/2009. Brittany you will be sadly missed. Your work will live on forever for many to remember what a great talent you were. RIP Brittany.

By FloydBoyd

Gee, using this logic, I think I am going to take legal action because I was cut from my high school baseball team my freshman year back in 1962. I've hated baseball ever since then, and quite often consider ending it all over this terrible injustice.

By r

i had my skull fractured by a store security guard at hardings market parchment mi , no police report no nothing was done about it like it didnt happen but ol murphys firing is a big crime

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