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Eileen Brennan
Actor

Eileen Brennan

3 Sep 1932Born
28 Jul 2013Died
80Age at death
110Credits

Biography

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.

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.

Read the full biography

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.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 110 credits.

  1. 2011Naked RunFilm: Gram Malone
  2. 2006Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!Series: Writer (7 episodes)
  3. 2006The AmateursFilm: Mrs. Cherkiss
  4. 2005Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and FabulousFilm: Carol Fields
  5. 2004The HollowFilm: Joan Van Etten
  6. 2003Dumb LuckFilm: Minnie Hitchcock
  7. 2002Comic Book VillainsFilm: Mrs. Cresswell
  8. 2001Jeepers CreepersFilm: The Cat Lady
  9. 2001Lizzie McGuireSeries: Marge (1 episode)
  10. 2000Strong MedicineSeries: Evelyn Knightly (1 episode)
  11. 1999The Last Great RideFilm: Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate
  12. 1998Will & GraceSeries: Zandra (6 episodes)
  13. 1998Pants on FireFilm: Mom
  14. 1998Le petomane: Fin de siècle fartisteFilm
  15. 1997ToothlessFilm: Joe #1
  16. 1997The Wonderful World of DisneySeries: Joe #1 (1 episode)
  17. 1997Veronica's ClosetSeries: Grammy Anderson (1 episode)
  18. 1997Changing HabitsFilm: Mother Superior
  19. 1997Boys Life 2Film: Mrs. Randozza
  20. 1996If These Walls Could TalkFilm: Tessie
  21. 19967th HeavenSeries: Mrs. Bink (9 episodes)
  22. 1996Arli$$Series: Lenore (1 episode)
  23. 1995RecklessFilm: Sister Margaret
  24. 1995Trail of TearsFilm: Clara
  25. 1995Freaky FridayFilm: Principal Handel
  26. 1994The Lies Boys TellFilm: Sada
  27. 1994In Search of Dr. SeussFilm: The Who-Villain
  28. 1994Nunzio's Second CousinFilm: Mrs. Randazzo
  29. 1994Touched by an AngelSeries: Dolores Freeman (1 episode)
  30. 1994ERSeries: Betty (3 episodes)
  31. 1994My Name Is KateFilm: Barbara Mannix
  32. 1993Precious VictimsFilm: Minnie
  33. 1993Walker, Texas RangerSeries: Joelle (1 episode)
  34. 1993Recycle RexFilm: Rose (voice)
  35. 1993Murder So SweetFilm: Martha Catlin
  36. 1992Mad About YouSeries: Inspector #10 (1 episode)
  37. 1992Jack's PlaceSeries (1 episode)
  38. 1992I Don't Buy Kisses AnymoreFilm: Frieda
  39. 1992Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer StoryFilm: Vicky Martin
  40. 1991Home ImprovementSeries: Wanda (1 episode)
  41. 1991Deadly Intentions... Again?Film: Charlotte
  42. 1990White PalaceFilm: Judy
  43. 1990TexasvilleFilm: Genevieve Morgan
  44. 1990American DreamerSeries (1 episode)
  45. 1990Gravedale HighSeries: Miss Dirge (voice) (2 episodes)
  46. 1990StellaFilm: Mrs. Wilkerson
  47. 1989It Had to Be YouFilm: Judith
  48. 1989Tales from the CryptSeries: Ruth Sanderson (1 episode)
  49. 1988Going to the ChapelFilm: Maude
  50. 1988Rented LipsFilm: Hotel Desk Clerk
  51. 1988Sticky FingersFilm: Stella
  52. 1988The New Adventures of Pippi LongstockingFilm: Miss Bannister
  53. 1987thirtysomethingSeries (1 episode)
  54. 1987Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia WifeFilm: Sylvia
  55. 1987The FartisteFilm
  56. 1986Babes in ToylandFilm: Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
  57. 1986The History of White People in America: Volume IIFilm
  58. 1985ClueFilm: Mrs. Peacock
  59. 1985The History of White People in AmericaFilm
  60. 1985The Ray Bradbury TheaterSeries: Mrs. Annabelle Shrike (1 episode)
  61. 1985AnswersFilm: Amanda Jackson (Segment "Twinkle, Twinkle")
  62. 1985The Fourth Wise ManFilm: Judith
  63. 1985Off the RackSeries: Kate Halloran (6 episodes)
  64. 1984Murder, She WroteSeries: Loretta Lee, Marian Simpson (1 episode)
  65. 1983The Funny FarmFilm: Gail Corbin
  66. 1982NewhartSeries (2 episodes)
  67. 1982Lily for President?Film: Maggie
  68. 1982WorkingFilm: Millworker
  69. 1982PandemoniumFilm: Candy's Mom
  70. 1982Kraft Salutes Walt Disney World's 10th AnniversaryFilm: Aunt Angelique Lane
  71. 1982American PlayhouseSeries: Millworker (1 episode)
  72. 1981Incident at CrestridgeFilm: Sara Davis
  73. 1981Private BenjaminSeries: Doreen Lewis (39 episodes)
  74. 1981When the Circus Came to TownFilm: Jessy
  75. 1980Magnum, P.I.Series: Brenda Babcock (1 episode)
  76. 1980Private BenjaminFilm: Capt. Doreen Lewis
  77. 1979My Old ManFilm: Marie
  78. 1979When She Was Bad...Film: Mary Jensen
  79. 1979A New Kind of FamilySeries (10 episodes)
  80. 197913 Queens Blvd.Series: Felicia Winters (9 episodes)

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.