Eileen Brennan
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.
Known For
Carol Fields
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Capt. Doreen Lewis
Private Benjamin
Elizabeth
At Long Last Love
Mrs. Walker
Daisy Miller
Delafield's Mistress
Knuckle
Paula Hollinger
Hustle
Tess Skeffington
Murder by Death
Darlene
Scarecrow
The Cat Lady
Jeepers Creepers
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Who Done It: The Clue Documentary
Billie
The Sting
Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
Babes in Toyland
Judy
White Palace
Tessie
If These Walls Could Talk
Joan Van Etten
The Hollow
Mother
FM
Penelope
The Great Smokey Roadblock
Mrs. Cresswell
Comic Book Villains
Betty DeBoop
The Cheap Detective
Mrs. Peacock
Clue
The Who-Villain
In Search of Dr. Seuss
Mrs. Cherkiss
The Amateurs
Mrs. Wilkerson
Stella
Miss Bannister
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
Mrs. Randozza
Boys Life 2
Judith
The Fourth Wise Man
Joe #1
Toothless
Frieda
I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore
Maggie
Lily for President?
Candy's Mom
Pandemonium
Mother Superior
Changing Habits
Come Die With Me
Genevieve
The Last Picture Show
Sada
The Lies Boys Tell
Carol Werner
The Death of Richie
Glenda
The Blue Knight
Minnie Hitchcock
Dumb Luck
Stella
Sticky Fingers
Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate
The Last Great Ride
The History of White People in America
Genevieve Morgan
Texasville
Maude
Going to the Chapel
Amanda Jackson (Segment "Twinkle, Twinkle")
Answers
Self
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas
Self
The Art of 'The Sting'
Marie
My Old Man
Ann Muldoon
The Night That Panicked America
Charlotte
Deadly Intentions... Again?
Rose (voice)
Recycle Rex
Mom
Pants on Fire
Aunt Angelique Lane
Kraft Salutes Walt Disney World's 10th Anniversary
Clara
Trail of Tears
Gail Corbin
The Funny Farm
Hallie
The Star Wagon
Barbara Mannix
My Name Is Kate
Judith
It Had to Be You
Minnie
Precious Victims
The Fartiste
The History of White People in America: Volume II
Gram Malone
Naked Run
Millworker
Working
Mrs. Lindholm Sr.
My Father's House
Sister Margaret
Reckless
Baba Goya
Nourish the Beast
Hotel Desk Clerk
Rented Lips
Mary Jensen
When She Was Bad...
Vicky Martin
Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story
Sara Davis
Incident at Crestridge
Sylvia
Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife
Mrs. Randazzo
Nunzio's Second Cousin
Eunice Tase
Divorce American Style
Jessy
When the Circus Came to Town
Amy
Playmates
Principal Handel
Freaky Friday
Martha Catlin
Murder So Sweet
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
75
Gender
Female
Birthday
1932-09-03
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, California, USA
Also Known As
艾琳·布伦南