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Brittany Murphy's co-stars from her final film have recalled that she suffered a lot before she died.
Murphy, whose former home is on the market, passed away at the age of 32 on December 20, 2009, about six months after production wrapped on Something Wicked.
The actress had been going through a 'hard time' physically on the set, according to co-star Katie O'Grady.
'She was just a little bird that you wanted to be around and you wanted to help,' the Portlandia star told People.
O'Grady and Murphy met in Eugene, Oregon, where they were working on the supernatural thriller.
From her interactions with the actress, who had captured hearts in movies such as Clueless and Girl, Interrupted, O'Grady recalled that 5ft3in star seemed 'frail,' and was 'going through a hard time.'
She remembered the cast and crew had the impression they needed 'to be soft around her,' and that the 8 Mile star was so 'petite,' it seemed as if she could be 'scooped up' with little effort.
Brittany Murphy's co-stars from her final film are speaking about their experience with the late actress 15 years after her untimely death at age 32 on December 20, 2009. Pictured in Beverly Hills on December 1, 2009
Murphy's had lost considerable weight prior to the project, but denied she had an eating disorder. Her co-stars said the Critics Choice Awards nominee's physical discomfort did not get in the way of her professionalism, or kindness.
O'Grady described a day in which they were filming in a jail cell and it was extremely hot, and everyone was sweating, but Murphy wanted to make sure there was enough water for everyone.
Another time, the Happy Feet voice actress took time to teach a novice co-star about eye lines and where to look depending on which side of the face the camera was on.
'You could just feel a really deep kindness, a soft spirit about Brittany, that it made you just feel comfortable and soft,' the Half Sisters actress said.
Co-star October Moore, spoke about getting ready to shoot a confrontational scene with Murphy, and was fidgeting with her slip-on shoes. The two were sitting at a bistro table, so Murphy suggested she 'just take them off.'
'That was such a kindness from a seasoned professional to a very new actor,' Moore told the publication.
'She made me feel very comfortable and at ease and just had this kind of effervescent sweetness.'
O'Grady recalls shaking Murphy's 'little hand,' goodbye as the leading lady told her 'I'm so glad I got to meet you,' after production had wrapped.
Murphy's final film was the supernatural thriller Something Wicked. The movie, shot in 2009, was not released until 2014
Murphy was a popular and talented actress who had captured hearts in films such as Clueless (Seen her with Clueless co-star Jeremy Sisto)
The actress received accolades for her strong performance in the Oscar winning 1999 film, Girl, Interrupted
'She made moments and she created moments with everybody that she met to the best of her ability that she could with the energy that she had,' co-star Katie O'Grady told People (Pictured in Beverly Hills in March 2022)
October Moore, spoke about preparing to shoot a confrontational scene with Murphy, and was fidgeting with her slip-on shoes and Murphy suggested she 'just take them off.' 'That was such a kindness from a seasoned professional to a very new actor,' the actress told the publication
'There was still some part of her so present and so loving to take the time to do that in such a soft way. It was such a kind and loving goodbye,' the Silent Echoes writer and director said.
'She made moments and she created moments with everybody that she met to the best of her ability that she could with the energy that she had.'
Commenting on Murphy's limited physical strength, O'Grady said she wished her co-star had someone she could rely on with her on set. 'I just feel that she could have used somebody in her life that maybe was strong.'
Murphy's husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack was often on set, according to O'Grady, but he did not provide the kind of protection she thought Murphy needed.
'We know when we meet somebody that's not well, and an instant feeling of this woman needs to be protected, this woman needs strength, energy, support,' she explained.
Murphy's official cause of death was listed as pneumonia, but was also suffering from anemia, according to the Los Angeles Coroner's office.
Her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack died of the same conditions five months later in May 2010 at age 40 (pictured in Beverly Hills in March 2008)
Monjack died of the same conditions five months later in May 2010 at age 40.
Something Wicked was finally released in 2014, but even though she attended the premiere, O'Grady has yet to see the movie. The Cellar Door star feels she might be ready now, as a way of paying her respects to her late friend and co-star.
'She really deserved a different story. Her core is so good. Her spirit is so good,' she said.
'That was not a person who was out in the world to hurt or make people feel small,' O'Grady maintained. 'That was not a woman who deserved that story. But that was her story and that was why she was here, and that was all that was meant to be.'
English (US) ·