Even though she is no longer with us, Brittany Murphy continues to leave behind a legacy of memorable performances across more than a few iconic films that have undoubtedly shaped Hollywood and the entertainment industry into what it is today.

On December 20, 2009, the news of Murphy’s Untimely and Sudden Death sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. On that fateful day, the 32-year-old actress was living in her Los Angeles home with her husband, Simon Monjackand her mother when she collapsed on her bathroom floor.

Hours later, she was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, which a coroner later determined were complications of pneumonia. Iron deficiency – also known as anemia – and drug poisoning have been listed as contributing factors.

While the situation surrounding Murphy’s death has been the subject of what seems to be countless conspiracy theories and the bipartisan 2021 documentary series entitled What happened, Brittany Murphy?What cannot be discredited or debated is the late actor’s impact on Hollywood – an impact that continues to this day.

Endearing classics like Distraught to black films like city ​​of sinMurphy was an acting powerhouse who shined in films of all genres, from romantic comedies to action to drama and more. Most importantly, Murphy left a memorable mark on every person she worked with, both on and off screen.

“Brittany was a good person, a super nice girl,” rapper and actor Eminemwho starred alongside Murphy in the hit film 8 milessaid in 2012 during a casting meeting. “She was very down to earth; she would talk to anyone.

In honor of his legacy, here’s a look at 10 of his most memorable film roles:

‘Distraught’

Arguably the defining role of Murphy’s career, there is no complete list of Brittany Murphy films without those from 1995. Distraught. Murphy played the iconic Tai, who while trying to fit into a new school alongside the wealthy and privileged Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) and Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash), ends up becoming an evil monster created by the popular girls.

What can We let’s say – it’s a fun, major film that showcases Murphy’s effervescent personality. (The film also features a young Paul Ruddwhich still makes us faint today.)

“Downtown Girls”

This 2003 film highlights Murphy’s ability to create palpable on-screen chemistry with his costars. The late actress plays Molly Gunn, a naive “it girl” living off the fortune inherited from her famous father. When she realizes that her manager has stolen all her money and disappeared, she is forced to become the nanny of Ray, played by a young man. Dakota Fanning.

Not only do Fanning and Murphy shine together, but their chemistry helps guide viewers through the film’s funny and serious moments, including the impact of Ray’s absent mother and Molly’s refusal to grow up.

‘Just Married’

Another fun romantic comedy that showcased Murphy’s comedic timing and lovable personality. Murphy plays Sarah, a well-off aspiring writer who meets and falls in love with beer-loving Tom (Ashton Kutcher). After a whirlwind romance and marriage, the couple jet off to Italy for what should be a perfect honeymoon.

Of course, hilarity ensues as everything – and we mean everything – goes wrong, forcing the young couple to face some harsh truths and lingering insecurities about their relationship.

‘8 miles’

Eminem met his match in Murphy, who starred alongside the rapper in his first film. If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times: chemistry, chemistry, chemistry. Sparks flew between Murphy and Eminem, who played complicated lovers in the film as B-Rabbit (Eminem) tried to lift him and his family out of poverty via a budding rap career. Murphy’s character is elusive, complicated and seductive, leading fans to fall in love with her all over again in this essential musical drama that solidified Eminem as not only a rapper, but also a bona fide entertainment artist .

“Girl, interrupted”

For the dark and curvy girls among us, no film has captured our hearts quite like 1999’s. Girl, interrupted. Featuring a plethora of Hollywood icons like Whoopie Goldberg, Elizabeth Moss, Jared Leto, Clea DuVall, Winona Ryder, Jeffrey Tambor and Angelina JolieMurphy really showed off her acting chops playing Daisy Randone – a sexually assaulted 18-year-old who suffers from OCD, eating disorders, laxative addiction and self-harm.

The high-intensity scenes between Murphy and Jolie are iconic in themselves; Murphy’s character becomes increasingly troubled as the film progresses, despite being released from a mental institution where all the other girls receive inpatient care. The performance earned Murphy a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Actress in 2000.

“Little Black Book”

This 2004 romantic comedy once again showcased Murphy’s comedic acting skills. The actress plays Stacy, who lets curiosity get the best of her when she snoops around her boyfriend Derek’s house (Ron Livingston) little black book filled with the names of his exes. Stacy then goes off to meet the women, which – of course – causes a host of problems of her own making.

“The City of Sin”

Frank Miller’s 2005 film, featuring an all-star cast, gave viewers an innovative, comic book-like take on the film, and despite being surrounded by Hollywood heavyweights like Benicio del Toro And Clive OwenMurphy’s performance was memorable for its simplicity.

The actress plays Shellie, a former sex worker, who, with the help of her new boyfriend (Owen), escapes the violent grip of her abusive ex who also happens to be a cop (del Toro). Murphy’s gentle yet tough portrayal earned him recognition via the 2006 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble.

“Driving in a car with boys”

This 2001 drama starring Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn, Maggie Gyllenhaaland more, there was another coming-of-age story that featured Murphy at his best. Following the true story of writer and teen mom Beverly Donofrio (Barrymore), Murphy played Fay Forrester, Beverly’s best friend who announces at her best friend’s wedding that she is also pregnant.

As the couple attempts to navigate teenage pregnancy and early motherhood – after being shunned by their families – Beverly and Fay form a strong bond, supporting each other through every trial and tribulation. As her outspoken and witty best friend, Murphy compliments Barrymore perfectly in what was arguably one of her best on-screen performances.

“Magnificent Drop Dead”

Although this mockumentary-style dark comedy didn’t do well at the box office, it’s considered a cult classic, and it’s easy to see why. The film follows an annual beauty pageant held in small-town Minnesota, where Murphy’s character, Lisa Swenson, competes alongside fellow aspiring beauty queens, Amber Atkins (Kirsten Dunst) and Becky Leeman (Denise Richards).

“Don’t say a word”

The late actress plays Elizabeth Burrows in the 2001 drama, a young woman and psychiatric hospital patient who hasn’t said a word since witnessing her father’s brutal death. The problem ? She is the only person who knows the whereabouts of a gem worth millions of dollars – a gem that her father was ultimately killed for.

Murphy again exploits the nuance of mental health issues, and her portrayal earned her a 2002 Golden Satellite Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama Supporting Role.

Honorable Mention: “A Boy Meets the World”

Who can forget Trini in the iconic coming-of-age TV classic, A boy meets the world? Not We! Murphy’s role as Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel) best friend is memorable for all the best reasons, even though it only lasted three episodes. She resisted gendered expectations of how a teenage girl “should” act, never gave two cents about what people thought, and did it all while showcasing fierce – and rare – female friendship in the series. You little badger!