Remembering Brittany Murphy

Back in 1994, a precocious teenager auditioned for her first movie role. She had prepared two scenes, had the required accent down pat, but was told "Thank you" after completing the first scene and dismissed.

"Wait," she cried. "I'd like a chance to do the other scene for you."

The casting agent laughed. "Relax!" he said. "We're going to call you back."

Sure enough, she got a callback. Then, after her screen tests, she officially landed the role.

Brittany Murphy delivered a standout performance in 1995's teen classic Clueless. Her adorable, spunky character Tai underwent a transformation, and in real life the actress followed suit. Brittany went from being a curvy, curly-haired brunette to a lithe blonde, like her co-star Alicia Silverstone. Not only did Brittany waltz off with Alicia's hair color and trim figure-- she also got her career.The roles that followed for Brittany included edgy performances in Girl, Interrupted and Don't Say a Word, as well as sugary-sweet roles in Uptown Girls and Just Married. Perhaps she was best at playing the on-screen version of herself: bright, bubbly, goofy, a little neurotic, but all-around lovable. I loved her best in films like Love and Other Disasters and The Ramen Girl, where that troubled-but-sweet spunk and personality shone through.Brittany was a bright talent and delightful to watch. I was always rooting for her. Like Heath Ledger and other stars whose lights burn out too soon, she had a promising future ahead and an already-great career behind her. The best was yet to come.

We'll be seeing you, Brittany. Hope it's not sporadically.