Gone, but never forgotten.
“8 Mile” star Taryn Manning remembered her late friend and co-star Brittany Murphy ahead of the release of the HBO Max documentary “What Happened, Brittany Murphy?”
“She was free-spirited, whimsical and full of laughter,” Manning, 42, told People of Murphy, who died in December 2009 at the age of 32.
Manning also makes an appearance in the new documentary, out on Oct. 14. The “Orange Is the New Black” star reminisced about getting a letter that Murphy wrote for her on the set of their 2002 film.
“She loved to dance and have fun and was nice to everyone,” Manning explained to the outlet. “She was a true star, a sparkling, twinkling, beautiful spirit.
“I don’t think Brittany had a mean bone in her body,” she continued.
Murphy’s passing sent shock waves through Hollywood at the time. “Brittany Murphy was an incredible ray of light to so many people. Her smile was contagious. My prayers are with her family and loved ones,” Jessica Simpson said shortly after the actress’ death.
Her “Clueless” co-star Alicia Silverstone added: “I’m so saddened to hear this news. I loved working with Brittany. She was so talented, so warm and so sweet. I always felt connected to her as we shared a very special experience in our lives together. I feel love in my heart for her and hope she is at peace.”
The doc will focus on Murphy’s life and the “mysterious circumstances surrounding [her] tragic death,” according to the streaming service. The docuseries “will go beyond the conspiracy theories and headlines, featuring new interviews by those closest to Brittany and new archival footage.”
The HBO Max special will also examine the details of the “Girl, Interrupted” actress’ sad and untimely death, as well as her turbulent relationship with her husband, British filmmaker Simon Monjack, who died just five months after his wife’s death.
Director Cynthia Hill explained in the statement that the intent of the two-part series is to shed light on Murphy’s talent and optimistic personality rather than just her death.
“I agreed to do this film because I think it’s a shame that Brittany’s promising life and career has been eclipsed by the circumstances of her death,” Hill said. “I think it’s important to celebrate Brittany’s talent as we struggle to explain the tragic circumstances of her and Simon’s deaths.”
