Brittany Murphy's Top 10 On Screen Moments

It’s been four years since Brittany Murphy tragically passed away from pneumonia, cutting short a career that spanned film and television, animation and live-action, cult classics and feel good froth.
Her last movie, Something Wicked, wrapped just months before the 32-year-old’s death in December 2009 and then went on to spend the last few years in post-production hell.

But with the finished film premiering in Oregon this week, we couldn’t help but cast our minds back to Brittany’s back catalogue, ranging from appearances in Party of Five to her adorkable turn in Clueless.

Check out ten of our favourite Brittany scene-stealers below and let the feels wash over you.

Something Wicked (2014)

Brittany’s last film is a low-budget psychological thriller that tells the story of a young woman stalked by an obsessed suitor. Murphy played the girl’s sister-in-law in the flick and, according to the director, the actress “Pulled off one of the spookiest scenes in the movie.”

Happy Feet (2006)

It was a little known fact that as well as being a talented actress, Brittany had a stellar set of pipes. And she got to show them off as Gloria, the singing penguin, in feel-good animated feature Happy Feet.

Sister Sister (1994)

It’s hard to believe this was Brittany’s last on-screen appearance before her career changing turn as Tai in Clueless. A young-looking 17-year-old Brittany plays Tia and Tamera’s lovelorn friend Sarah, dramatically declaring “love stinks” before boyfriend Aaron turns up to give her a kiddy-appropriate chaste hug.

Uptown Girls (2003)

Brittany channeled Paris Hilton in this cute comedy, playing spoilt heiress Molly who finds herself looking after an 8-year-old Dakota Fanning. Also worth watching for a swoon-inducing appearance from love-interest Jesse Spencer (of Neighbours and House fame).

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Her dark turn in this unsettling film about a group of girls in a mental institution eerily foreshadowed Brittany’s own death in the bathroom of her home ten years later. Her performance as the troubled, broken Daisy stayed with us long after the credits rolled.

Clueless (1995)

Brittany will forever be remembered in our hearts as the cute, quirky Tai who uttered the immortal put-down: “You’re a virgin who can’t drive.” During a 2012 reunion of the remaining cast, Breckin Meyer – who played Tai’s teen crush Travis – said he thought that Tai and Travis would still be together today. That’s how we imagine it too. <3

Just Married (2003)

Along with Uptown Girls, Just Married represented a turning point in Murphy’s career, from indie flicks to commercial hits. Sadly, a run of bad luck meant she never fulfilled her early promise, but this inoffensive rom-com – which also starred a smoking hot Ashton Kutcher - reminds us of Brittany at her best.

King of the Hill (1997-2009)

Brittany’s longest-running acting gig was as the voice of airhead Luanne in cult animated comedy King of the Hill. By the end of the series, the trailer park-born niece of Hank and Peggy Hill survived various mishaps to find a happy ending with a partner and a baby.

8 Mile (2002)

Her edgy appearance in Eminem’s critically acclaimed, semi-autobiographical flick 8 Mile proved that Brittany was no lightweight actress. Playing the rapper’s girlfriend Alex – loosely based on his real-life ex-wife Kim – romance allegedly blossomed on and off-screen between Brittany and Em.

Party of Five (1993)

One of Brittany’s earliest appearances after moving to Hollywood, aged 14, was in ‘90s classic drama Party of Five. Brit played hard-partying bad girl Abby who takes advantage of Neve Campbell’s parent-free house, exhibiting the edgy but endearing acting chops that would go on to get her cast as Tai in Clueless.