Early life
Murphy was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Angelo Bertolotti, an Italian American racketeering criminal, and Sharon Murphy, who is of Irish American and Eastern European descent. Murphy's parents divorced shortly after her birth, and she was raised in Edison, New Jersey and Burbank, California by her single, working-class mother; she has had little contact with her father since the divorce. Murphy was raised a Baptist, but is now non-denominational.
When she was nine years old, Murphy landed a singing role in a musical version of Les Miserables, and had signed on with a manager by the time she turned thirteen.
Career
Murphy landed her first job in Hollywood when she was fourteen, starring as Brenda Drexell in the television series Drexell's Class. She then went on to play Molly Morgan in the short lived The Torkelsons spinoff Almost Home. She was also the lead singer of the band Blessed With Soul in the early 1990s, and was at one time signed on to play late singer Janis Joplin in a biography, but the film was not made because of legal disputes over music rights.
Murphy has since starred in many successful films, including Clueless (1995), Don't Say a Word (2001), 8 Mile (2002) and Uptown Girls (2003) as well as many lesser known films, such as Spun (2003). She has also appeared on several television series, including Sister, Sister, Boy Meets World and as the voice of Luanne Platter on the long-running animated series King of the Hill.
She most recently appeared in the films Little Black Book (2004), which was considered a critical and commercial failure, and the critically acclaimed Sin City (2005). Also in 2005, she appeared in the promo video for Tears for Fears' comeback single Closest Thing To Heaven, and in August 2005, Brittany co-presented UK music show CD:UK along side Holly Willoughby.
She will be the first actress to provide a voice for the animated character Tinkerbell in an upcoming Disney movie.
Music
In the Spring of 2006, Paul Oakenfold along with Brittany Murphy released the single "Faster Kill Pussycat", with the album A Lively Mind which was released on June 6 in the United States. The song has become a club hit, and hit number one on Billboard magazine's Hot Dance Club Play chart. It also hit number seven in the UK singles chart in June 2006. She dabbled in music again with the release of her movie Happy Feet, in which she covered Queen's classic "Somebody to Love" and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland".
Brittany is currently working on her debut album, which is inspired by techno-pop sound. The album will be released in 2007. She is working with various producers and DJs including with Paul Oakenfold, Chris Cox, Max Martin and Timbaland.
Personal life
Actor Jonathan Brandis was Murphy's high school prom date. Murphy has dated actor Ashton Kutcher, admitted to a relationship with rapper Eminem while they acted together in 8 Mile and was engaged to talent manager Jeff Kwatinetz in 2004. In December 2005, Murphy became engaged to Joe Macaluso, a production assistant she met while working on her film, Little Black Book. In August 2006, they ended their engagement.
Murphy's weight loss and transformation over the years caused speculation of an eating disorder or plastic surgery, both of which she has denied. During 2005, Murphy was the spokesmodel for Jordache jeans.
In 2006 Brittany Murphy was voted 36th in Template:FHM's 100 Sexiest Women List, 29th in Template:Celebrity Sleuths 25 Sexiest List and in May of the same year, Maxim magazine named Murphy #49 on its annual Hot 100 List.
Brittany Murphy
Brittany Murphy
Brittany Murphy
Brittany Murphy
Brittany Murphy
