8 Mile and Clueless star dies of suspected cardiac arrest aged just 32

US ACTRESS Brittany Murphy, who starred in films Just Married, Clueless and 8 Mile, died yesterday at the age of 32.

She died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center near Beverly Hills, a hospital spokeswoman confirmed.

Sources said Murphy went into cardiac arrest, but hospital sources would not release the cause of death.

Celebrity website TMZ.com said her mother found her unconscious in the shower.

Reports said the LA fire department responded to a medical call at the actress’s home in West Hollywood at 8am local time. Two hours later, she was pronounced dead at hospital.

A family spokesperson Nicole Perna said in a statement: “In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy.”

Murphy married British screenwriter Simon Monjack in a private Jewish ceremony in May 2007 and they lived in LA.

She grew up in New Jersey but moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. She got her start in the surprise hit Clueless and rose to stardom in 8 Mile alongside rapper Eminem.

In recent years, Murphy voiced characters for the hit US television series, King of the Hill, and animated movie Happy Feet.

She is due to appear in Sylvester Stallone’s film, The Expendables, set for release next year.

Murphy once dated Ashton Kutcher, who co-starred with her in the 2003 romantic comedy Just Married.

Kutcher, who is married to actress Demi Moore, tweeted yesterday morning about Murphy’s death: “2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine.”

“My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany’s family, her husband & her amazing mother Sharon,” his tweet said.

Other celebrities began paying tribute to her on their Twitter pages as soon as the news broke including rocker Fred Durst, who wrote: “RIP Brittany Murphy. What a sweet human being. My prayers are with her friends and family.”

Actress Jessica Simpson wrote: “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.”

Singer Hilary Duff wrote: ‘RIP Brittany Murphy forever in our hearts.’

She had five films in production at the time of her death, including Something Wicked, Shrinking Charlotte and Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming film. Her last big movie was Sin City in 2005.

In June 2006, she sang on Paul Oakenfold’s hit single Faster Kill Pussycats.

She dabbled in music again that same year when she covered Queen’s Somebody To Love and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Boogie Wonderland for the animated film Happy Feet.