Eminem has spoken for the first time about the death of his 8 Mile co-star Brittany Murphy.

The 32-year-old actress, who played Alex Latourno in the film, died at her home in Los Angeles last December.

An autopsy later revealed that her death was a combination of pneumonia, an iron deficiency and "multiple drug intoxication”.

In an interview with Vibe magazine, Eminem said: "It was crazy. It's crazy, because at one point, we were very close, and she was a really good person.

“It's crazy when you see things not just with her but just all these things that are happening in Hollywood with people in music, with people in acting. ... Famous people.

“Famous people are overdosing at alarming rates and — that almost sounded like a commercial. Wow.”

He added: "But they are. And it's one of those things, man, where you're famous, doctors will kiss your ass because they love the celebrity. 'Oh, I can call up Eminem and get him on the phone right now. Oh, hi Marshall, how are you doing? Do you need that [prescription]?'

“There are doctors that will give you certain things just because of who you are."

Eminem admitted that he thought about death “a lot”, and that it “creeps me out”.

The rapper released his latest album ‘Recovery’, which records his own battle with addiction, earlier this summer.

(by Jason Gregory)