You hear her before you see her. In the bar of the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills on a rainy winter evening, the clinking of martini glasses is suddenly interrupted by a loud, fearless giggle.

The clinking stops, and out flies another one.

Here comes actress Brittany Murphy-all 5'3" of her, with a rain hat pulled down over her head and her body swallowed up by a gray Armani overcoat. Murphy, who stars in three upcoming films-Edward Burns' ensemble romantic comedy Sidewalks of New York, Penny Marshall's Riding in Cars with Boys and later in the year, Don't Say a Word with Michael Douglas-giggles a lot. In addition to the geekish little snorts she let loose as a loopy ex-burnout in Clueless, and the long, erupting whoops she unleashed in Drop Dead Gorgeous, giggling is a staple of her real-life repertoire as well.

"There's something very genuine and innocent about her," says Burns. "Aside from being a terrifically talented actress, she's a very sweet, very fun-loving person."

Over a cheeseburger and an assortment of beverages (up to four at once), Murphy flits from subject to subject, peppering her commentary with expressions like "cookadoodle!" Asked a benign interview standby-what director she'd like to work with-she seems flummoxed. "Bob Fosse," she replies finally; "but he's passed on, hasn't he?" As for the living, "There are so many!" she cries. "How can I pick?"

Besides, she'd rather talk about her upcoming trip to Milan with her mother, courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, to see the designers' upcoming show. "My mom and I have been jumping around the house like couple of big dorks, we're so excited," she says.

Born in Edison, New Jersey, Murphy moved with her mother to Hollywood at 13, having already landed several commercials in New York. Roles-first in television, and later in film-came fairly easily from the tc start, and though they included a string of little-seen indies (ever hear of Bongwater, Phoenix, Drive or Trixie?), Murphy claims not to regret any of them. "I think even experiences that aren't good end up being good if you learn from them," she says."

For all that sunny optimism, her career isn't without its share of dark characters, most notably the incest victim she played in Girl, Interrupted. That finely calibrated performance undoubtedly contributed to her being cast as an institutionalized murder witness in Don't Say a Word. "She has remarkable freedom as an actress," says Douglas, who plays her psychiatrist in the film. "She has tremendous courage and range."

Indeed, Burns claims to have known immediately that she'd be perfect for Sidewalks. "Then," he adds, "of course, when she got on the set, the minute she smiled, the entire crew fell in love with her."

Once the rain gear comes off, it's easy to see why. Although Murphy wasn't much of a head-turner in Clueless ("I hadn't learned how to tweeze my eyebrows yet" she explains), she has since blossomed into a doe,eyed beauty. The transformation has afforded Murphy, who has been relegated primarily to character roles, the opportunity to take center stage in Sidewalks.

Murphy actually accepted the part without even reading the script. "That's probably something I shouldn't admit," says the actress, "but I was just so thrilled to have the opportunity to play that kind of a role and work with Ed."

Indeed, when it comes to movies, Murphy admits, she has a hard time saying no. "I feel so lucky that I get to do what I love, sometimes I just feel like, How can I stop now?" she asks-with a giggle. "You know?"

Brittany is wearing a dress by Oscar de la Renta and Neil Lane jewelry

Styled by Jessica Paster at Luxe
Hair by Robert Ramos for Estilo Salon/Celestine
Makeup by Lutz for Artmix/Cargo

All Rights Reserved and copyrighted to W Magazine
W Magazine May 2001, page 86

I recommend you buy the magazine, it is well worth it just to have your own copy of this picture.

Questions or comments? Mail me at: seareaver@aol.com

Please note: I am not Brittany Murphy, I just run this fan page.