Blogs and Stories
Brittany's 'Spaced-Out' World
Newscom
The death of beautiful actress Brittany Murphy came as no shock to those who knew her, reports Gerald Posner. An inside account of drug rumors, erratic behavior, and a notorious husband.
“This is like Lindsay Lohan dying,” a studio executive told me, reacting to the news Sunday afternoon that 32-year-old actress Brittany Murphy had been pronounced dead a few hours earlier at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “It really doesn’t come, unfortunately, as a shock.”
While Murphy, the star of Clueless, Don't Say a Word and, most memorably, 8 Mile, may have had a clean-cut image for most of her fans, inside the small world of Hollywood, the sentiment yesterday was unanimous: She was a mess.
“She was a space cadet most of the time when I saw her,” said a studio executive.
Virtually everyone I spoke with who knew her—none of whom would allow their names to be used—suggested that it was a given that she had a drug problem, involving both heroin and cocaine, though none admitted to directly seeing her use or abuse narcotics. “She had too many drugs and too little food,” said a makeup artist who had worked with her, adding that she sometimes “nodded off” in front of her.
“She was a space cadet most of the time when I saw her,” added the studio executive. Others echoed that privately.
Murphy had been dogged by such rumors for years, even feeling it necessary, in 2005, to make a statement about cocaine following a big weight loss: "I have never tried it in my entire life. I've never even seen it. I am also way too high-strung. I can't even take a Sudafed. Can you imagine? My God. I think my heart would explode."
But things had gotten a lot worse recently, especially since Murphy, who had earlier dated Ashton Kutcher, married British director/producer Simon Monjack at his Hollywood house in a small ceremony in May 2007.
Monjack’s reputation rivaled Murphy’s. He was arrested on expired visa charges in the middle of the night, less than two months before he got hitched to Murphy; had a $470,132 judgment against him from a British bank and a $50,000 judgment from his ex-wife; and had been evicted from two apartments for failing to pay back rent. (Monjack's lawyer told reporters the charges were made by "disgruntled ex-girlfriends" and that immigration lawyers had concluded the marriage had no bearing on his visa status.)
After her marriage to Monjack, she was spotted at a number of industry functions seemingly “out of it,” a fellow actor told me late Sunday. Some acquaintances weren’t sure the matchup was the best for an actress who might be battling her own demons and was in public denial of any problem. Actor and sometimes publicist Joel Michaely had been inseparable from Murphy for a few years and was her closest platonic friend. Michaely seemed to be a stabilizing influence on Murphy. But after Monjack came on board, Michaely was out. “She’s going through some things in her life right now,” an acquaintance told me he said, “and I don’t want to be around her right now.” (Michaely could not be reached for comment.)
Edwards Sex Tape Details
Investigative journalist and syndicated columnist Diane Dimond has covered the Michael Jackson story since 1993 when she first broke the news that the King of Pop was under investigation for child molestation. She is author of the book, Be Careful Who You Love—Inside the Michael Jackson Case. She lives in New York with her husband, broadcast journalist Michael Schoen.
The 800 Dangerous Airbus Planes in the Sky
Clive Irving is senior consulting editor at Conde Nast Traveler, specializing in aviation—find his blog, Clive Alive, at CliveAlive.Truth.Travel.
Can This Man Save Jacko's Doctor?
Gerald Posner is former chief investigative reporter for The Daily Beast. He's the award-winning author of 10 investigative nonfiction bestsellers, on topics ranging from political assassinations, to Nazi war criminals, to 9/11, to terrorism. His latest book, Miami Babylon: Crime, Wealth and Power—A Dispatch from the Beach, was published in October. He lives in Miami Beach with his wife, the author Trisha Posner.
Jackson Prosecutors' Internal War
Gerald Posner is former chief investigative reporter for The Daily Beast. He's the award-winning author of 10 investigative nonfiction bestsellers, on topics ranging from political assassinations, to Nazi war criminals, to 9/11, to terrorism. His latest book, Miami Babylon: Crime, Wealth and Power—A Dispatch from the Beach, was published in October. He lives in Miami Beach with his wife, the author Trisha Posner.
The Murder Mystery Rocking Miami
Gerald Posner is former chief investigative reporter for The Daily Beast. He's the award-winning author of 10 investigative nonfiction bestsellers, on topics ranging from political assassinations, to Nazi war criminals, to 9/11, to terrorism. His latest book, Miami Babylon: Crime, Wealth and Power—A Dispatch from the Beach, was published in October. He lives in Miami Beach with his wife, the author Trisha Posner.
Nuld001
Husband Monjack not wanting an autopsy says it all. It appears that Brittany was publicly having a drug problem and no one would come to her aid or did she reject all overtures? Whether this drug problem lead to her death should come out in the autopsy. A very sad situation for her family and all fans that loved her.
DakLak
Could it be that a loving husband doesn't want her body mutilated by the coroners knife?
BigSwami
I would buy that argument, if it were the 13th century. However, modern people understand that bodies are just bodies, and autopsies don't cause any harm to anyone. In fact, autopsies provide a great deal of comfort to people who love the truth.
Neo2627
A loving husband would want to know why a 'healthy' young wife of 32 years old; would drop dead in the shower!
DakLak
BigSwami:
Given that the cause of death could likely be determined chemically, why mutilate her body? I have links to images of postmortem procedures with the front of bodies stitched in a manner that suggests the sewer learned his trade sewing bags of corn.
Besides, if she was Jewish aren't autopsies not performed?
bigwurzz
BigSwami, you make a pretty blanket statement. I have had someone I loved who was young die and it was horrifying to think about them being dissected on some weirdo's table like a frog in science class. I understand why it needs to be done, but your cavalier statement shows you have no knowledge of what you are speaking about.
whatthel
I agreed with BigSwami.
BigSwami
DakLak: autopsies are a routine part of our society's efforts to remain safe, just, and healthy. They are performed upon request of the NOK, but they are performed WITHOUT REGARD TO THE FAMILY'S WISHES when it appears necessary. ORTHODOX Jews, who are a very small percentage of even the Jewish community, do not ask medical examiners to perform autopsies on their NOK, but it is still done if deemed necessary by state or local investigators.
bigwurzz: I am afraid it is you and not I who shows his ignorance here. Medical examiners are not "weirdos" but in fact performing a profoundly valuable task to the sane function of our society. Bodies are not people, they are just matter - matter that can provide valuable information about how to prevent similar calamities in other, currently living, beings.
Vripper
BigSwami,
I'm sorry, but your generalization doesn't explain anything. It's just your personal opinion, and ignores the possibility that people have emotional attachment to their loved ones, even if they are just "bodies" at that point.
nursecheri
I thought the same thing. In some religions and ethnicities autopsies are verboten. But it is still sort of suspect.
Boyaca
America's jails are full of people who were found with a little maijuana on them. Here is this person, a known heroin and cocaine user, who was freely traveling around the country and gets to die in her bathroom. Why was she not in jail just like all the other druggies?
PEZMAN
Boyaca-----Name one person who says this poor gal was on anything other than the medication her doctors prescribed for her. Just one name. You can't, and still you spread this awful negative garbage as if you knew it for a fact. Snakes like you slither along, almost taking delight in other's intimate and personal ailments. You really disgust me Boyaca. How about you tell the world all about the demons inside of you. That would be a good start to clean up your own home before dirtying someone else's. I pray for Brittany and those who loved her. The world indeed lost a beautiful person.
parke47
because she was never caught by the police numbnut!
farkennel
pezman get over yourself."the world lost a beautiful person"She was a 2nd rate actress at best who`s career was on the skids.I wouldn`t wish what happened to her on anyone ,but put it in perspective.
osea65
PEZMAN, she was beautiful, but obviously messed up like so many beautiful and quite lost girls. Fame, fortune, hypocrisy, boredom, lack of values and beliefs, the degradation of society, all played a role in the demise of this beautiful and very talented woman!!!! Boyaca I agree totally with you that it is far too easy the end up in jail for insignificant amounts of weed, those laws have to be changed immediately!!!!!
gracie99
In jail and ALIVE.
Affluent people, even if they are living on credit, are much better able to hide their drug use. And against the backdrop of Hollywood, her problems may not have stood out.
The emerging picture is starting to resemble aspects of Michael Jackson's situation, with a terrible and possibly exploitative parent, disastrous intimates, and serious drug use.
I wonder how many people are now wishing they'd made some effort to try to get her to flee from her mother and Monjack?
RockyRacoon
"though none admitted to directly seeing her use or abuse narcotics" So it is all heresay and I hope this fella wins the case against Warner's. This was a sweet sweet girl...no one deserves this sort of crap written by this author who should be sued for what he has written it is defamation and character assassination. What is worse, she is not here to defend herself against these charges. I saw her one night on Letterman when she made a similar statement regarding weight loss. What gal wouldn't be nuerotic in Hollywood when a 17 year old with skinner legs can replace you in such a fashion. Good on her hubby for trying to protect her and her legacy.
RR
crymeariver
What no Tiger Woods rumors and innuendos today? We are moving on to trashing this young lady whose body is not even cold yet? How do people like you have the guts to look at yourself in the mirror each day.
sillylemur
How cold does a body need to be for you before you can talk honestly about what is known about that person? Your modest is very false.
MrEKO73
"This is like Lindsay Lohan dying," Except its not Lindsey Lohan or Brittany Spears. The fact that Murphy had such a private life is what makes it so shocking. Of course, the former girls haven't made it to 32 either. Only time will tell.
umlaw92
This has to be the worst piece of "reporting" that I have seen in years. Numerous awful allegations all 'backed up' by unnamed sources. How convenient. Why were the 'sources' afraid to be named- was Brittany Murphy so powerful that there would be reprecussions to their careers if they went on the record. Seems like the coward's choice to hide behind "unnamed sources." Numerous irrelevant incidents included to seemingly smeer the reputation of Ms. Murphy (for example, what does her husband being sued by a British bank have anything to do with anything? Or what does her father having allegedly been in the mob have to do with her- did she pick her father?).
I think Mr. Posner has quite a career ahead of him- there's a bidding war for his services between National Enquirer, News of the World, Pravda, and the former Iraqi Ministry of Information.
DakLak
Posner is even beneath The News of the World: he is able to pass under a slug.
Making a living on other peoples suffering is pretty well the lowest anyone could get.
citivas
The National Enquirer is usually right in the end, BTW...
Sureofit
This is a gossip site. Get real. Why are you even reading about this? Did u know here personally? Or are you just rubbernecking like everyone else.
speechrock
I was drawn to this article because of the unusual beauty of Brittany Murphy, I don't know much about her, and the sadness that another young actor has fallen to the pressures of celebrity.
To my suprise the comments are all about Gerald Posner. As I read these comments I realized that all of you are his audience and contribute to his success and ratings. Otherwise, you would be reading a novel or watching Monday Night Football.
Untill you have lunch with Posner and talk to Murphy's immediate family your are all a bunch of paparazzi parasites.
farkennel
speechrock this a forum for people to express opinions on all sorts of subjects.If you have a problem with that....fuck off.Problem solved.
nursecheri
I feel that Mr. Posner's statement about l.lohan was crude and tasteless. I have two children dead and death is horrible and untimely whoever you are and being in the limelight is no raison de entre to be flogged by the press. yes this is a gossip sight, but speechrock is right.
sillylemur
Indeed. It is funny how many people here read every Posner article, then rant about how horrible it all is. They seem not to realize they could just stop reading if it is so bad. They are also clearly ignorant that the more they read him, the more public and professional attention her gets and the more he will write.
Personally, I love his articles, so I'm laughing about all this.
speechrock
farkennel... I have scanned your posts. You are like the bully in the schoolyard. My guess is you mother dressed you up in a clip bow tie, white buck shoes and a butch haircut and you review patent applications for the U.S. government in a cube that smells like 1953. I think you stay up nights trying to figure out how Kenny can get killed and show up as a character on the next episode. You have a guitar in the back of our closet along with self-instruction booklets that has 10 years of dust on them. You own at least three Bon Jovi CD's and are afraid of clowns. Your DVD is set to record reruns of the Golden Girls and you collect stamps. You definately don't go down on your woman and are a Civil War buff. How have I donw?
Twisted
Posner for got to mention the Movie Spun which she "starred" in; rent it if you want to be creeped out. She did a great job playing a Meth addict, her wasted body made her portrayel even more convincing.
drakg02
And the Hollywood death list marches on. Anna Nicole Smith, Heath Ledger, now her. Who'll it be next?
louiexiii
wrong year buddy. none of those were 2009.
nursecheri
wasn't going by years but by deaths.
Boyaca
Probably some other drugs abuser.
briansays
Husband doesn't want an autopsy?
Maybe because there is a life insurance policy and he is the beneficiary??
JamesMMartin
It does not help much when a former fling goes on late night talk shows and tells the world how easy you were to lay. Yes, I mean Mr. Kutcher, the titty baby. He told talk show audiences he had no trouble getting into Brittany's panties and that they had sex together. I thought she had a talent for romantic comedy, particularly of the "screwball" variety. I am saddened to hear of her death. Shame on Mr. Kutcher, though!
Mickey9661
You know who's the worst blogger in the world?
Perez Hilton! He is a shameless idiot,who constantly puts down these young actresses!
Anyway,regardless of how this beautiful girl died,the sad thing is she DID die. I could care less about her husband or these "unnamed sources". I feel the worst for her mom,who was the one who found her. RIP,sweet Brittany.
nursecheri
sooooo right mickey. what does the world see in this vicious, obviously unhappy with his life blogger.
louiexiii
RIP Luanne Platter, one of the best characters on King of the Hill.
bryanlevi
Copy that. I have honestly never seen this person in any movie ever, nor am I the least bit interested to do so. But the KOTH character was a perfect rendering. When someone goes from using drugs to having a drug problem or addiction, the lines between truth and lie, and real and unreal, become quite blurred. It's a sad way to go, RIP.
gloria70
Thank you, louiexiii. Yes, covering her death, journalists have tended only to list a few of her better known films and fail to mention her best work as the voice of Luann. It's under appreciated.
Nits22
I know... I am surprised noone mentioned her work on king of the hill. If I am reading this article is because I am sad Luanne died =(
mattheww
I'm drawing a blank -- has Gerald Posner ever written about anything that didn't just die?
DakLak
Yes - he is also an self-acclaimed expert on the behavior of golf professionals, in his own mind.
diddlydash
Not since Tiger Woods died Matheww!
andygirl
"Can you imagine? My God. I think my heart would explode."
What a sad foreshadowing of her future.
And what I find additionally sad is that she will become more famous poshumously because of her tragic death. Like a sideshow act.
And what of the hundreds of young people who die too early and don't make the front page?
baptox
Not a foreshadowing but a Freudian slip. She was in deep denial about her drug and/or anorexia problem (s) but was probably well aware of the risks to her health.
Doesn't it strike anyone else as sad that three major druggie/movie stars (Brittany Spears, Lindsey Lohan Ms. Murphy) and were also child stars? We need more oversight of children and young people in the movie industry.
My take on her husband is that he's a major schlub with serious secrets. He probably was Brittany's supplier and/or procured drugs for both of them. He doesn't want an autopsy because he could potentially be indicted for murder if he supplied her with the drugs.
What kind of moron walks around wearing an ill-fitting, filthy-looking suit which exposes his hairy belly in public? Someone who's too high on drugs to care what he looks like. He looks like John Belushi before he died.
bitaproductions
Mr. Posner - Quoting anonymous sources is one thing. Quoting anonymous sources who are quoting other people (i.e. an aquaintance of Joel Michaely's said that he said...) is absolutely ridiculous! If Joel doesn't want to comment, respect his wishes. Don't go find some wannabe "friend" of his to give you a double hearsay quote! And if Joel couldn't be reached for comment, that means you couldn't even fact check the damn quote. So tacky and unprofessional.
sillylemur
If these quotes were far off the mark, someone would be suing. Being able to produce names in court and publishing them in a rag like this are two very different things.
wickhed
Gerald, you suck!!!
Altho I didnt know her personally...her movies...all the pictures Ive seen of her...made me feel good. She was always smiling and happy.
If she did drugs or didnt...who cares, thats the past and maybe you should try to look for some good things she's done.
RIP Brittany :)
***If you havn't seen the movie "The Ramen Girl", you should, its excellent and one of my favorite Brittany movies...
boredwell
When people "summarily" qualify another person's behavior/demeanor as "bizarre," it quantifies the observers' subjective analysis based on supposition. Case in point. During Rita Hayworth's post career public appearances, she exhibited signs which the press and others surmised to be the results of intoxication. She, in fact, was suffering from early stages of Alzheimers. Years ago, I worked for PBS in LA. A well-known TV actor was taping several sales pitch segments for Pledge Week. Afterward she would wobble across the set, sit on the stairs, sweating profusely, visibly shaking. We rolled our collective eyes assuming she was on drugs. Two days later she died of cancer. She was on drugs. That much we got right. It was chemo.
sausageinc
Your first sentence needs a bit of work. Don't use big words if they're not in your lexicon maybe?
flynnwillow
get over your big head self sausage...hope that's in YOUR "lexicon"
sillylemur
Who wouldn't care? When someone this young dies, how they die matters to a lot of people - loved ones, medical professionals, anyone who suspects an overdose, people mixing the same drugs who need to stop doing so....It's an interesting question that needs some answers.
ekphrastic
this is like lindsey lohan dying? ouch
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.