Key Highlights
- Michael Urie recalls a sweet gesture from Brittany Murphy during his first movie role.
- Murphy insisted they had met before despite never actually having done so.
- The actress left the “pig walker” scene on the cutting room floor but still paid Urie residuals.
Michael Urie’s First Movie Role: A Sweet Memory from Brittany Murphy
Michael Urie, best known for his roles in Ugly Betty and his current series Shrinking, shared a heartwarming anecdote about his first-ever movie role during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. The actor was candid about the experience, which included a memorable interaction with the late Brittany Murphy.
Urie’s first film role involved playing a “pig walker,” a term he clarified as actually being a “dog walker.” “They cut my part,” Urie lamented. Yet, the memory of his time on set remains vivid due to an encounter with Murphy, who played the immature nanny in Uptown Girls.
Urie described Murphy’s insistence that they had met before, despite having never actually crossed paths.
“She was so sweet and amazing as an actor,” Urie reminisced. “I remember her being so sweet and insisting that we’d met before, but we definitely had not. It was so sweet. I was really touched by it.” Murphy’s enthusiasm and charm made the experience more than just a job for Urie.
The Sweet Surprise at the Wrap Party
Despite his part being cut from Uptown Girls, Urie still received residuals, a fact that he gleefully pointed out. “I’m not in the movie, but I do still get residuals,” Urie shared. This detail added an unexpected silver lining to his experience, as he attended the wrap party where Murphy shared a surprise about his role.
At the event, Murphy mentioned Urie in another scene that had been added, despite it having originally been cut. “She was so sweet and amazing,” Williams noted, expressing admiration for Murphy’s dedication to her craft. The actor’s residuals were a testament to the enduring impact of Murphy’s work on set.
The Legacy of Brittany Murphy
Murphy died in 2009 at the young age of 32. Her untimely passing left a lasting legacy, particularly among millennials who appreciated her comedic talent and dramatic range. Despite her brief life, she starred in numerous films and television shows, including Clueless, Girl, Interrupted, and Just Married.
Murphy’s impact on the entertainment industry was significant, and Urie’s recollection serves as a poignant reminder of her warmth and professionalism.
Her insistence that she had met Urie before, even when there was no truth to it, speaks volumes about Murphy’s character and how she made everyone feel special.
As we reflect on Murphy’s life and work, stories like these remind us of the human element in entertainment. Even though her part may have been cut from Uptown Girls, the memory lived on through the sweet gestures and genuine interactions she left behind.
