Michael Urie Says Brittany Murphy Was “So Sweet” on Uptown Girls Set

More than two decades after his scene was cut from Uptown Girls, actor Michael Urie has shared a warm memory about working with the film’s late star, Brittany Murphy.

Urie, who is now an Emmy-nominated actor, recently spoke in an Entertainment Weekly video about filming the 2003 movie Uptown Girls early in his career. He said Murphy was “so sweet” to him during his brief time on set.

At the time, Urie said it was one of his first acting jobs. He played a pig walker in a short scene alongside Murphy’s character, Molly Gunn. The scene involved several dogs and a pig, but it was later removed from the final cut of the movie.

Urie recalled that Murphy was kind and welcoming, even insisting that they had met before — something he says was not true. He described the moment as “adorable and weird,” and said he was touched by her friendliness.

Although his role did not make it into the finished film, Urie said Murphy continued to be supportive. He attended the wrap party, where Murphy told him she had mentioned his character in another scene and added a line about him herself.

Uptown Girls follows Molly Gunn, a wealthy and carefree young woman whose life changes after her money is stolen by her manager. She takes a job as a nanny to a serious young girl named Ray, played by Dakota Fanning, and slowly learns responsibility and maturity.

Murphy died on Dec. 20, 2009, at the age of 32. Her death was caused by a combination of pneumonia, iron-deficiency anemia, and multiple drug intoxication.

Urie’s story adds another fond memory of Murphy, who is often remembered by co-stars for her kindness and generosity on set.