Trivia

(November 18, 2013) Almost 4 years after her death, a lab discovered Murphy's body contained 10 heavy metals at levels higher than the WHO [The World Health Organization] high levels. It was reported she died from pneumonia and anemia, however her father Angelo Bertolotti asked for independent tests.

She kept a notebook by her bed and would write poems in the middle of the night.

She was set to star in a biopic of Janis Joplin, however the film was grounded over battles for the rights to Joplin's songs. She had won the role over Courtney Love and Emily Watson.

She broke her nose three times and reset it herself.

Her will stated that all of her assets would go to her mother, Sharon Murphy, and notably excluded her husband Simon Monjack.

She had a breast cancer scare and lumps removed from her right breast.

She bought all the jewelry she wore in Uptown Girls (2003).

She visited the US troops in Baghdad and Kuwait.

She bought Britney Spears's house and kept a lot of her old furniture.

She played the trumpet and piano.

She was the lead singer in her '90s band "Blessed with Soul".

She took dance classes six days a week as a kid.

She used to babysit as a young girl in order to be able to buy blue coloured contact lenses.

Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross were her career idols.

She was very close friends with Winona Ryder and Meredith Zealy.

She had trouble getting work as a brunette.

Her mother, Sharon Murphy, is a survivor of breast cancer.

She was named "Hollywood's biggest flirt" by an American teen poll.

She dubbed Lionel Richie her guardian angel.

She was offered a job as a pole dancer when researching the part for Spun (2002).

Eric Balfour was a member of her '90s band "Blessed with Soul".

Her high school prom date was Jonathan Brandis.

She was taught how to give the finger by Eminem.

She was attached to co-star in the film Detour (2013) at the time of her death.

She attempted to join the Mile High Club with Ashton Kutcher.

She had a Maltese named Clara after Clara Bow.

Her paternal grandparents were both of Italian descent. Her maternal grandfather had Irish ancestry. Her maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Kochan, was the daughter of Slovak parents, Wasil Kochan and Sophie Salanski.

She was ranked 8th on the Maxim Hot 100 List in 2005.

She thought of the tabloids and paparazzi as a weird cousin.

She was ranked 32nd on the Maxim Hot 100 List in 2003.

She was engaged to Jeff Kwatinetz from January 2004 - August 2004.

She pitched a story about Craig Castaldo for Access Hollywood.

It has been mentioned by her mother that she had diabetes in a few interviews, which uncontrolled or untreated, can lead to weight loss.

She was engaged to Joe Macaluso from December 2005 - August 2006.