Eileen Brennan
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- September 3, 1932
- Died
- July 28, 2013
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, California, USA
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.
Filmography
Who Done It: The Clue Documentary 2022
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Naked Run 2011
as Gram Malone
Miller's Tale 2011
Additional Music
The Amateurs 2006
as Mrs. Cherkiss
The Art of 'The Sting' 2005
as Self
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous 2005
as Carol Fields
The Hollow 2004
as Joan Van Etten
Dumb Luck 2003
as Minnie Hitchcock
Comic Book Villains 2002
as Mrs. Cresswell
Jeepers Creepers 2001
as The Cat Lady
The Last Great Ride 1999
as Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate
Pants on Fire 1998
as Mom
- Le petomane: Fin de siècle fartiste
Le petomane: Fin de siècle fartiste 1998
Actor
Toothless 1997
as Joe #1
Changing Habits 1997
as Mother Superior
Boys Life 2 1997
as Mrs. Randozza
If These Walls Could Talk 1996
as Tessie
Reckless 1995
as Sister Margaret
Trail of Tears 1995
as Clara
Freaky Friday 1995
as Principal Handel
The Lies Boys Tell 1994
as Sada
In Search of Dr. Seuss 1994
as The Who-Villain
Nunzio's Second Cousin 1994
as Mrs. Randazzo
My Name Is Kate 1994
as Barbara Mannix
Precious Victims 1993
as Minnie
Recycle Rex 1993
as Rose (voice)
Murder So Sweet 1993
as Martha Catlin
I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore 1992
as Frieda
Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story 1992
as Vicky Martin
Picture This 1991
as Self
Deadly Intentions... Again? 1991
as Charlotte
White Palace 1990
as Judy
Texasville 1990
as Genevieve Morgan
Stella 1990
as Mrs. Wilkerson
- It Had to Be You
It Had to Be You 1989
as Judith
Going to the Chapel 1988
as Maude
Rented Lips 1988
as Hotel Desk Clerk
Sticky Fingers 1988
as Stella
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking 1988
as Miss Bannister
Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife 1987
as Sylvia
The Fartiste 1987
Actor
Babes in Toyland 1986
as Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
The History of White People in America: Volume II 1986
Actor
Clue 1985
as Mrs. Peacock
The History of White People in America 1985
Actor
Answers 1985
as Amanda Jackson (Segment "Twinkle, Twinkle")
The Fourth Wise Man 1985
as Judith
The Funny Farm 1983
as Gail Corbin
Lily for President? 1982
as Maggie
Working 1982
as Millworker
Pandemonium 1982
as Candy's Mom
Kraft Salutes Walt Disney World's 10th Anniversary 1982
as Aunt Angelique Lane
Incident at Crestridge 1981
as Sara Davis
When the Circus Came to Town 1981
as Jessy
Private Benjamin 1980
as Capt. Doreen Lewis
My Old Man 1979
as Marie
When She Was Bad... 1979
as Mary Jensen
The Cheap Detective 1978
as Betty DeBoop
The Great Smokey Roadblock 1978
as Penelope
FM 1978
as Mother
The Death of Richie 1977
as Carol Werner
Murder by Death 1976
as Tess Skeffington
Hustle 1975
as Paula Hollinger
The Night That Panicked America 1975
as Ann Muldoon
Knuckle 1975
as Delafield's Mistress
My Father's House 1975
as Mrs. Lindholm Sr.
At Long Last Love 1975
as Elizabeth
Nourish the Beast 1974
as Baba Goya
Daisy Miller 1974
as Mrs. Walker
Come Die with Me 1974
as Mary Thatcher
The Sting 1973
as Billie
The Blue Knight 1973
as Glenda
Scarecrow 1973
as Darlene
Playmates 1972
as Amy
The Last Picture Show 1971
as Genevieve
Divorce American Style 1967
as Eunice
The Star Wagon 1966
as Hallie
Credits from TMDB.