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.
Recent movies
| # | Name | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Who Done It: The Clue Documentary (2022) | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 7 |
| 2 | The Amateurs (2006) | Mrs. Cherkiss | 6 |
| 3 | Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005) | Carol Fields | 5.4 |
| 4 | The Hollow (2004) | Joan Van Etten | 5.5 |
| 5 | Dumb Luck (2003) | Minnie Hitchcock | - |
| 6 | Comic Book Villains (2002) | Mrs. Cresswell | 5 |
| 7 | Jeepers Creepers (2001) | The Cat Lady | 6.1 |
| 8 | Toothless (1997) | Joe #1 | - |
| 9 | If These Walls Could Talk (1996) | Tessie | 8 |
| 10 | Reckless (1995) | Sister Margaret | 3 |
| 11 | Trail of Tears (1995) | Clara | - |
| 12 | Freaky Friday (1995) | Principal Handel | - |
| 13 | Precious Victims (1993) | Minnie | - |
| 14 | I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore (1992) | Frieda | - |
| 15 | Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story (1992) | Vicky Martin | - |
| 16 | Deadly Intentions... Again? (1991) | Charlotte | - |
| 17 | Texasville (1990) | Genevieve Morgan | 5 |
| 18 | White Palace (1990) | Judy | 7 |
| 19 | Stella (1990) | Mrs. Wilkerson | - |
| 20 | The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988) | Miss Bannister | 10 |
| 21 | Rented Lips (1988) | Hotel Desk Clerk | - |
| 22 | Sticky Fingers (1988) | Stella | - |
| 23 | Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife (1987) | Sylvia | - |
| 24 | Babes in Toyland (1986) | Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard | 7 |
| 25 | Clue (1985) | Mrs. Peacock | 7.7 |
| 26 | Private Benjamin (1980) | Capt. Doreen Lewis | 6.5 |
| 27 | FM (1978) | Mother | - |
| 28 | The Cheap Detective (1978) | Betty DeBoop | 5 |
| 29 | Murder by Death (1976) | Tess Skeffington | 7.1 |
| 30 | Hustle (1975) | Paula Hollinger | 3 |
| 31 | Daisy Miller (1974) | Mrs. Walker | - |
| 32 | The Sting (1973) | Billie | 7.7 |
| 33 | Scarecrow (1973) | Darlene | 7.5 |
| 34 | The Last Picture Show (1971) | Genevieve | 5.3 |
