Alicia Silverstone: 'I Feel Love in My Heart' for Brittany Murphy

Wonderwall, Sunday, December 20, 2009, 4:18pm (PST)

"Dee, would you look at that girl? She is so adorably clueless."

So bubbled Alicia Silverstone's Cher the moment she saw Brittany Murphy's makeover-needing transfer student Tai in "Clueless," the hit 1995 film that helped launch both of their careers.

With Brittany's sudden death on Sunday at the age of 32, Alicia is speaking out about her onetime co-star.

"I always felt connected to her as we shared a very special experience in our lives together," the actress tells People magazine. "I feel love in my heart for her -- and hope she is at peace. This is truly sad."

Despite their easy onscreen rapport ("Cher, I don't want to do this anymore. And my buns? They don't feel nothin' like steel"), they "didn't stay in close touch over the years," admits Silverstone.

Still, "I'm so saddened to hear this news," she says. "I loved working with Brittany. She was so talented, so warm, and so sweet."