Dakota Fanning has paid tribute to Brittany Murphy, who died on Sunday at the age of 32.

The actress said the pair had become “great friends” after working together on the 2003 movie Uptown Girls.

“Brittany had such a warm child-like spirit that drew people to her. With her goes a piece of my heart and I will miss her terribly,” Fanning told E! Online.

“I know how strong Brittany's love was for her family and my heart goes out to all of them, especially her mother Sharon. I love you Brittany."

Murphy collapsed at home in Los Angeles and died in hospital on Sunday. An autopsy has so far failed to determine a cause of death.

Fanning's tribute comes shortly after Murphy's husband Simon Monkjack said his world had been “destroyed” by her sudden death.

Ashton Kutcher, who once dated the star, said the world had “lost a little piece of sunshine”.

Murphy's cause of death has been deferred pending the results of toxicology tests, which could take several weeks.

Brittany Murphy - RIP