Eileen Brennan

Eileen Brennan

1932-09-03 – 2013-07-28 (age 80) Los Angeles, California, USA
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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. 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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Known For

Clue
Clue

1985

as Mrs. Peacock

Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers

2001

as The Cat Lady

The Sting
The Sting

1973

as Billie

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Murder by Death
Murder by Death

1976

as Tess Skeffington

The Last Picture Show
The Last Picture Show

1971

as Genevieve

White Palace
White Palace

1990

as Judy

The Cheap Detective
The Cheap Detective

1978

as Betty DeBoop

Private Benjamin
Private Benjamin

1980

as Capt. Doreen Lewis

Scarecrow
Scarecrow

1973

as Darlene

The Amateurs
The Amateurs

2006

as Mrs. Cherkiss

The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
If These Walls Could Talk
Toothless
Toothless

1997

as Joe #1

Divorce American Style
Hustle
Hustle

1975

as Paula Hollinger

Daisy Miller
Daisy Miller

1974

as Mrs. Walker

Babes in Toyland
Babes in Toyland

1986

as Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard

The Fourth Wise Man
The Fourth Wise Man

1985

as Judith

Stella
Stella

1990

as Mrs. Wilkerson