Update: Report: Brittany Murphy's Husband to Sue Studio for Wrongful Death
Credit: Gustavo Caballero/WireImage.com
Simon Monjack is planning to sue Warner Brothers for the wrongful death of his wife, Brittany Murphy, the Daily Beast reports.
Two weeks prior to Murphy's sudden death on Dec. 20 at age 32, the studio fired her from the sequel to the animated smash Happy Feet, where she was to reprise the role of penguin Gloria. "She was devastated," Monjack tells the Daily Beast's Gerald Posner. "They killed her."
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Murphy's cause of death has yet to be released by the L.A. coroner's office -- but Monjack and the star's mother, Sharon Murphy, both believe that the Clueless actress suffered a heart attack as a direct result of her cancelled contract.
"It's a cruel town," Monjack says of Hollywood."You're disposable as an actress or actor."
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On Wednesday, Warner Brothers roared back at Monjack in a statement which said, "Any claim that Warner Bros. Pictures was somehow responsible for Brittany Murphy's tragic death is demonstrably false, reprehensible and defamatory."
The studio also begged to differ about Monjack's claims about the Happy Feet sequel. "Warner Bros. Pictures and Ms. Murphy never entered into any deal for Happy Feet 2, and thus, there was no contract to cancel."
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In his interview with Posner, Monjack is unapologetic about his plans to sue. "I am tough. I litigate when somebody does something wrong to me. That's one of the reasons I make enemies."
The British Monjack acknowledges to Posner that his marriage to the star (who was once engaged to Ashton Kutcher) surprised many. "I was never the right guy to marry Brittany,” he says. "She was supposed to marry a young dashing star with a million-dollar smile. She wasn't supposed to end up with a balding, heavy guy who doesn't play by their rules."
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But he snaps at suggestions that he was freeloading off his famous wife. "I spent over a million on her engagement rings...And probably $3 million on clothes." He adds: "When Brittany died she had 60 pieces of unworn Louis Vuitton. The dog had Louis Vuitton. This was all me. We kept our money separate. When I took Brittany out shopping, I paid for everything.”
Did his controversial presence "ruin" Murphy's once high-flying career? "Brittany's films had grossed $100 million before she met me," he insists. "But her career had ended before then...She trusted some people who she shouldn't have."
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66he's a joke, like wow. seriously. Ahahhaa, yeeahp. :)
Warner Brothers killed Brittany Murphy because they didn't renew her contract for "Happy Feet"... ... hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.... ahem... He's right... that makes a lot of sense.
I admit too...He is a bit creepy and something seems off about him and Brittanys death but I really feel bad for him. As much as people don't like him, I truly believe that he loved Brittany and that she loved him. But I don't think WB is to blame for her death. There must have been a perfectly good reason for the WB wanting to fire Brittany. You can't always get what you want in life! It doesn't work that way.
sorry for the typos - BRITTANY*
It's a shame Britney's name needs to be drug through the mud like this. Even if there isn't slander going around on her, it's still sad that her name has to be attached to such nonsense. And what I find truely sad is how he says at the end "But her career had ended before then...She trusted some people who she shouldn't have." Wow.. that's a really mean and sad statment from the one who should love her and lift her high. Basically he just said, "her career was over.. she was a deadbeat in the industry anymore.. no one cared about her anyways." Britney was wonderful. A great actress and so spunky. All stars make poor decisions, just like any human being.
Does anyone find it interesting that Brittany didn't leave Simon any money?That's odd. That fact she didn't tells ALOT about their relationship. If she truly loved this guy, why didn't she leave him any $$$, anyone know?
Wow people just sue for anything, even ones that have a lot of money already! Where are peoples morals anymore. Its a tragedy but part of life is death, although young its still part of life even if your young and famous.
Except the autopsy showed no evidence of a heart attack.
this guy is an a## clown...
Does anyone else get creeped out when they see this guy and her MOTHER together?
Such a fkg weirdo...and look at him, he looks so filthy and like he's on drugs. He needs to f*ck off with his pathetic greedy ass. He probably killed her some how.
I am a former acting coach/director of Brittany Murphy. While the Murphyâ??s lived in NJ, I coached Brittany for numerous years for free. I also watched her and accompanied her on many of her earlier auditions in New York City when her mother Sharon was working late. I never asked for a salary. Aside from myself, there were other NJ teachers who gave Brittany free lessons. We believed in her and her talents. After Brittany and her mother moved to California, they remained in contact. Unfortunately, after Brittany began to become famous, the calls became less and then there was no contact at all. Even phone numbers were changed and emails were not returned. I donâ??t blame Brittany herself, she was genuine and such a talented actress and always lovely to work with. However, I feel her mother Sharon used everyone and when she realized Brittanyâ??s Hollywood career was taking off, she didnâ??t need any of her NJ contacts. Itâ??s a shame â?? even when I would read that the Murphyâ??s were visiting relatives in NJ or on a promotional tour in NY, none of our phones ever rang. I wouldnâ??t be writing this if I had only coached Brittany for a few sessions, but between me and the other teachers, we gave so much. The news of Simon Monjack and Sharon Murphy trying to sue Warner Brothers is insane. Itâ??s funny how they claim many Hollywood insiders turned their back on Brittany â?? yet they turned their back on so many of their NJ â??friends.â??
His case has no legal standing (or precedence) This is basically what is called a "nuisance suit". He's hoping to make some $$ off the studio to just shut up and go away,. *sigh* Poor girl never had a chance.
Of course he is! What a loser! And how exactly is suing the studio going to do? Oh yeah, line his pockets with money! Disgusting, disgusting human being! I am just waiting for the headline saying that he is found to be the cause of her death!
40 sets of unworn clothes pretty much says..."I don't need these and I don't want these". Why not sell the clothes for charity? Why not take the high road? This is a typical lawyer. You put them in their place with truth and they do what they do best...sue, no matter if they are right or wrong. It's a long run and if you are patient kharma always gets the bullies in the end. The definition of " a shame" is when a busload of lawyers (or crooked cops or anyone who abuses authority) goes over a cliff...with one empty seat. Everyone knows Hollywood is a nasty place. I'm sure this guy can dish up some embarassing things about them and I'm pretty sure that's what this is about...getting even...tit for tat...hate...they are all the same. There are millions of people who could sue and win but anyone who has ever dealt with the legal system usually moves on and hopes for better days. There are some slimy people everywhere who abuse power but theuy will get their's in the end and that is a fact.
This case will send shock waves through out the legal community, as any person, or family member, will be allowed to sue a former employer who layed them off or terminated them. If it is true that Britney had a heart attack resulting from being fired, then layoffs in America are now the number one health risk in our country.
What a creepy looking guy! He looks like a serial rapist!
Does this man realize that all his public statements will be used against him; if this case ever makes it to court? First, they claimed that she had never been fired from any job when she left the film being shot in Puerto Rico. After she died, he & her mother went on national TV and claimed her loss of the role in the sequel in question was "a mutal decision". Now, he claims she was fired & it killed her. Does he understand anything about the law? I could see a studio having liability if she was killed on the set by some mishap due to negligence; but unless there is more to his claim than he is currently revealing, this makes no sense. Some people act irrationally while in the throes of grief; but this is kinda ridiculous. If he finds a lawyer willing to take this to court; they both might be fined for wasting the court's time with a frivolous lawsuit. Unless this is some kind of "behind-the-scenes" extortion attempt in the form of a nuisance lawsuit. After all, everyone's life has been affected in some way by "rumors & gossip". If the rumors are slanderous & negatively affect your livelihood; then you have legal recourse against those who have defamed you - - if you can prove it, which is no easy task. This man might be better served by seeking help from a psychiatrist, rather than through the legal system.
He's suing? For money? Hoping to cash in bigtime? Milking this for all he can get? No!!!! Really?
Another reason, maybe he wants her name cleaning from all the gossip en rumors because that gave her very wrongly a bad name.