Eileen Brennan

Actor

Eileen Brennan

Born September 3, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, USADied July 28, 201370 films

Eileen Brennan (September 3, 1932 – July 28, 2013) was an American actress who was known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theater. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Captain Doreen Lewis in the 1980 comedy film Private Benjamin. She also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Mrs. Hughes in the television series Newhart.

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Brennan was born in Los Angeles, California, and began her acting career in the theater. She made her Broadway debut in 1963 in the musical Little Mary Sunshine. She went on to appear in several other Broadway musicals, including Hello, Dolly! and Annie.

Brennan made her film debut in the 1967 satire Divorce American Style. She followed this with supporting roles in the films The Last Picture Show (1971), The Cheap Detective (1978), and The First Wives Club (1996). She also starred in the films Clue (1985) and Sister Act (1992).

In addition to her film and theater work, Brennan also had a successful television career. She appeared in numerous television shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Cheers, and Will & Grace.

She died on July 28, 2013, at the age of 80, from complications of multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection.

Brennan was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2001. She underwent treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. She continued to work and act throughout her treatment, and she even appeared in the 2011 film The Big Year.

In 2013, Brennan's health began to decline. She died on July 28, 2013, at her home in Los Angeles. She was survived by her husband, David John Lampson, and her daughter, Emily.

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The best way into Eileen Brennan's work
Clue posterFirst watchClue19857.2as Mrs. PeacockA leading role in one of their most watched films.Clue finds six colorful dinner guests gathered at the mansion of their host, Mr. Boddy -- who turns up dead after his secret is exposed: He was blackmailing all of them.View film

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Filmography

70 films as actor
  1. 2011Naked RunGram Malone
  2. 2006The AmateursMrs. Cherkiss
  3. 2005Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and FabulousCarol Fields
  4. 2004The HollowJoan Van Etten
  5. 2003Dumb LuckMinnie Hitchcock
  6. 2002Comic Book VillainsMrs. Cresswell
  7. 2001Jeepers CreepersThe Cat Lady
  8. 1999The Last Great RidePamela 'Mimi' Applegate
  9. 1998Pants on FireMom
  10. 1997ToothlessJoe #1
  11. 1997Changing HabitsMother Superior
  12. 1997Boys Life 2Mrs. Randozza
  13. 1996If These Walls Could TalkTessie
  14. 1995RecklessSister Margaret
  15. 1995Trail of TearsClara
  16. 1995Freaky FridayPrincipal Handel
  17. 1994The Lies Boys TellSada
  18. 1994In Search of Dr. SeussThe Who-Villain
  19. 1994Nunzio's Second CousinMrs. Randazzo
  20. 1994My Name Is KateBarbara Mannix
  21. 1993Precious VictimsMinnie
  22. 1993Recycle RexRose (voice)
  23. 1993Murder So SweetMartha Catlin
  24. 1992I Don't Buy Kisses AnymoreFrieda
  25. 1992Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer StoryVicky Martin
  26. 1991Deadly Intentions... Again?Charlotte
  27. 1990White PalaceJudy
  28. 1990TexasvilleGenevieve Morgan
  29. 1990StellaMrs. Wilkerson
  30. 1989It Had to Be YouJudith
  31. 1988Going to the ChapelMaude
  32. 1988Sticky FingersStella
  33. 1988The New Adventures of Pippi LongstockingMiss Bannister
  34. 1987Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia WifeSylvia
  35. 1987The Fartiste
  36. 1986Babes in ToylandMrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
  37. 1985ClueMrs. Peacock
  38. 1985The History of White People in America
  39. 1985AnswersAmanda Jackson (Segment "Twinkle, Twinkle")
  40. 1985The Fourth Wise ManJudith
  41. 1983The Funny FarmGail Corbin
  42. 1982Lily for President?Maggie
  43. 1982WorkingMillworker
  44. 1982PandemoniumCandy's Mom
  45. 1982Kraft Salutes Walt Disney World's 10th AnniversaryAunt Angelique Lane
  46. 1981Incident at CrestridgeSara Davis
  47. 1981When the Circus Came to TownJessy
  48. 1980Private BenjaminCapt. Doreen Lewis
  49. 1979My Old ManMarie
  50. 1979When She Was Bad...Mary Jensen
  51. 1978The Cheap DetectiveBetty DeBoop
  52. 1978The Great Smokey RoadblockPenelope
  53. 1978FMMother
  54. 1977The Death of RichieCarol Werner
  55. 1976Murder by DeathTess Skeffington
  56. 1975HustlePaula Hollinger
  57. 1975The Night That Panicked AmericaAnn Muldoon
  58. 1975KnuckleDelafield's Mistress
  59. 1975My Father's HouseMrs. Lindholm Sr.
  60. 1975At Long Last LoveElizabeth
  61. 1974Nourish the BeastBaba Goya
  62. 1974Daisy MillerMrs. Walker
  63. 1974Come Die with MeMary Thatcher
  64. 1973The StingBillie
  65. 1973The Blue KnightGlenda
  66. 1973ScarecrowDarlene
  67. 1972PlaymatesAmy
  68. 1971The Last Picture ShowGenevieve
  69. 1967Divorce American StyleEunice
  70. 1966The Star WagonHallie