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 neo

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Dear Simon,
Do not tarnish the memory of you wife with this ridiculous and groundless lawsuit. We all know that you are hurting so very badly inside, and her death seem so senseless but that does not mean that it is your duty to find someone, anyone to blame for her death. Many thousands of healthy young people die everyday from natural causes. Please let your wife rest in peace, and may you find peace as well.

Also, I hope the judge has the good sense to throw this directly out of court without as much as a hearing. There should be monetary penalties for frivolous lawsuits. Those are our tax dollars getting wasted.

By gig

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quit passing the buck...... If she was that mentally fragile then the husband should have intervened and had her receive therapy - INSTEAD he is passing the buck

Monday 01 February

By Xenon

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How many overdoses make an addict?

By Zippertheslipper

Reading this makes me feel scared like a little girl. I am going to retreat to my bunker until this evil Warner Brothers killing machine gets caught and strapped into the electric chair.

By Brenda

I feel bad that Brittany died so young, but the article above listed that she was 5'3" and weighed under or just at 100 lbs. The fact that she was so thin, is suspect to an eating disorder, that would in effect weaken the body and cause her body to eat away from the inside out. Drinking and or drug use, really would have added to the destruction of her organs and body. It is sad that this happened, however death happens everyday for many people in the world. No law suit is going to stand up in court, because Warner Bros. decided not to use her voice, and it would not have revived her film career. I just hope that the coronors office did a stomach content test and a toxicology report, not to mention testing of her heart. Unfortunately, Monjack you can't sue God, when it's your time, it's your time.

By Notunreliable

According to the report I read,Brittany's body weighed 115 pounds at the autopsy.

By angel

While I understand the concept of trying to find someone to blame for Brittany's untimely death: How bout we blame the hubby? Seems he KNOWS what killed her, why didnt HE STOP IT OR INTERVENE??? Life killed Brittany: Hollywood didnt kill her after all this time she has been there. She got caught up in things.

I'm interested to know what caused her Always bloodshot eyes and her Always hoarse voice.

By Jan

Poor Simon. You are being judged very harshly by the cruel and ignorant public. No doubt you lost the love of your life and in your grief you are lashing out. It won't bring Brittany back. so while I send you my deepest condolences please learn to grieve quietly and privately,

Friday 29 January

By Dr LovingHome

Perhaps her choice of spouse had something to do with it. Did Warners make her marry him?

By george

someone has to get rid of these overpaid retards. oh poor britney only 10,000 a day. They should have taken out her husband too

By mizusfish

Did anyone stop to think that maybe Brittany Murphy killed Brittany Murphy by not taking care of herself.

By patrick

Give me a break everyone saying she was a Great actress. How many movies did she make? she was not a Great actress. she made a handful of movies, some good and some bad. that's all. i never feel sorry for these hollywood people who piss away their life and money. I don't care if she was on drugs or not, most likely we will find out down the road she was doing something wrong to herself. that's the hollywood way. Instead of pissing their money away to drugs or booze they should help their family and friends out. So another hollywood idol ( to some people ) dies what about all the people out in the REAL world who live paycheck to paycheck. or are homeless and need our help.

By dwtaives

That dumbass husband probably contributed to her death. If she had a heartbeat there was no need to administer CPR. Especially mashing on her chest with 235 Ibs on a 100 Ibs frame!! He does'nt have a leg to stand on in a lawsuit. Get a life dude.

By Diana

My mother used to make me eat all my vegtables, now I cant stand them. I should take her to court over this, shes caused me so much emotional stress because of it. And I dont get enough vitamins, because of her now.

By MYT

brittany didn't take care of herself, she was to thin. you can't starve yourself and expect to live, I think her heart just gave out and thats that.

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