Actress Brittany Murphy, star of classic films Clueless and Girl, Interrupted, was pronounced dead this morning at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. According to reports, Murphy was found unconscious by her mother, and was later revealed to have died from a cardiac arrest. She was just 32 years old. The sudden and untimely death of such a young actress sent shock waves through Hollywood and had the internet spinning out of control earlier today. Murphy, who had long been plagued with rumors of drug abuse and/or eating disorders, would not be given any time to lay to rest with the media frenzy over her death. And while the LA county coroner has said the actress died due to “natural causes”, her death is being investigated and they will perform an autopsy despite protests from Murphy’s husband Simon Monjack. Her family has issued 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 will most likely be best remembered for her potrayal of Tai, the schlubby stoner newbie in the high school classic Clueless. The beloved teen classic provided Murphy with her break out role which let her showcase her comedic timing, her vocal abilities and more importantly, her affable personality. She worked so well with Alicia Silverstone, the girl of the moment, and my one time crush Breckin Meyer. As any girl who grew up in the 90’s could tell you, its pretty hard to not adore Brittany Murphy. Her portrayal of Tai hit home with me, as I had changed schools for a second time in two years when the film came out. Murphy had an insanely affable quality, which oozed out of every character, and allowed the audience to really pull for her. She went on to star in another teen favorite, Drop Dead Gorgeous, alongside Kirsten Dunst and Kirstie Alley, once again providing the kooky, affable quality she was so well liked for. But it wasn’t until her role in 1999′s Girl, Interrupted where she became a viable serious actress. The film that was supposed to be the Oscar ticket for Winona Ryder actually propelled Murphy and Angelina Jolie into another echelon of actresses. Murphy began to be taken seriously within Hollywood and she received meatier roles. More on Life, Interrupted: Actress Brittany Murphy Dies at 32 after the JUMP