Simon Monjack and Sharon Murphy Appear on "The Today Show" to Defend Brittany Murphy's Legacy

Approximately one month after the tragic death of actress Brittany Murphy, her husband, director Simon Monjack, appeared with Murphy's mother on NBC's "Today Show." In an on-air interview with Matt Lauer, Monjack said more than once that it was Hollywood that broke Brittany Murphy's heart.

Rumors of drug use followed Brittany Murphy for years

Lauer, who controls an interview very well, brought up the topic of drug use early in the "Today Show" interview. An exasperated Monjack responded by saying "Let's set the record straight once and for all. Brittany was not taking any medication for her mood, anorexia or mental illness." Yet, in a video clip from the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, Dr. Charles Sophy said "My first impression (of Murphy) was young, seemingly healthy-I wonder if there was drugs or alcohol involved."

With facts in hand, Lauer did press the issue with Monjack, saying that authorities found a lot of prescription medication at Murphy's home, including an anti-depressant and anti-seizure medication. Monjack said that she did use Vicoprofen for her "menstrual times." "At the same time, she would have Sarafem, an antidepressant, 5 days a month," Monjack said.

Both Sharon Murphy and Monjack dismissed the rumors of cocaine use, saying that Brittany Murphy was diagnosed with Mitral valve prolapse when she was a teenager. "If she used cocaine, she'd be dead in a second," Monjack said.

"Thin, almost gaunt"

As the old saying goes, the camera never lies, and in the minutes before the interview, the "Today Show" ran several video clips of Brittany Murphy, ranging from young and healthy to pale, thin and sickly. After Lauer mentioned that Murphy looked "thin, almost gaunt," Monjack replied that she typically ordered four plates of food at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant and wouldeat them all.

According to Mentalhelp.net, however, people suffering from Anorexia Nervosa sometimes will fill their plates, but merely push the food around to make it look as if they are eating more than they really are. In another video clip shown before the interview, Ken Baker of "E! News" also offered an opinion similar to Lauer's." "Recently, when she stepped out in public, people noticed it (her weight) and started to worry about her," Baker said.

Losing her role in the upcoming "Happy Feet 2" also was stressful Brittany Murphy

Defensive for most of the "Today Show" interview, Simon Monjack did agree that Murphy was under a great deal of stress in her career. He said that his wife was given the chance to reprise the role of Gloria the penguin in "Happy Feet 2." "Unfortunately, Warner Brothers, who are making the film, pulled the offer based on rumors that are untrue," Monjack said, making reference to rumors that Murphy had been fired from her last film.

Resources:

http://www.drugs.com/vicoprofen.html

Mentalhelp.net, "Understanding Anorexia Nervosa," Allan N. Schwartz