Just nine days before his death Sunday night in his Hollywood Hills home, Simon Monjack, 40, who wed the late actress Brittany Murphy in a Jewish ceremony, was making hopeful future plans. The “Factory Girl” producer planned to go on a European vacation with Sharon Murphy, Brittany’s mother. The two had become core pillars of support for each other in the five months since Murphy’s untimely death, and planned begin a new book project together.

But, according to People magazine, spokesman Roger Neal said Monjack was in ill health. “Simon needed a [heart] bypass,” Neal, who also represents Sharon Murphy and the Brittany Murphy Foundation, said. “I was told he needed a bypass, and I said to him, ‘Simon, you have so much going on, let’s keep you healthy.’ I said, ‘You want to be healthy. Don’t you?’ He said yes, but he said, ‘The bypass can wait.’ “

In January, Monjack’s mother, Linda, told People that her son had suffered “a slight heart attack” a week before Murphy’s death.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sharon discovered Monjack unresponsive in the home they share late Sunday night and proceeded to call 911.

Prescription drugs were said to have been found at the scene, but it was deemed Monjack died of natural causes, pending a toxicology report Tuesday.

Sharon Murphy and Monjack had been in the process of arranging a party to launch the Brittany Murphy Foundation in September, according to People.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount