Eileen Brennan
Acting
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
Acting115
movieWho Done It: The Clue Documentary
2022
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieNaked Run
2011
Gram Malone
movieThe Amateurs
2006
Mrs. Cherkiss
movieMiss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
2005
Carol Fields
movieThe Hollow
2004
Joan Van Etten
movieDumb Luck
2003
Minnie Hitchcock
movieComic Book Villains
2002
Mrs. Cresswell
movieJeepers Creepers
2001
The Cat Lady
tvLizzie McGuire
2001
Marge
tvStrong Medicine
2000
Evelyn Knightly
movieThe Last Great Ride
1999
Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate
tvWill & Grace
1998
Zandra
movieToothless
1997
Joe #1
tvVeronica's Closet
1997
Grammy Anderson
movieChanging Habits
1997
Mother Superior
movieBoys Life 2
1997
Mrs. Randozza
tv7th Heaven
1996
Mrs. Bink
tvArli$$
1996
Lenore
movieReckless
1995
Sister Margaret
movieFreaky Friday
1995
Principal Handel
movieIn Search of Dr. Seuss
1994
The Who-Villain
movieNunzio's Second Cousin
1994
Mrs. Randazzo
tvTouched by an Angel
1994
Dolores Freeman
tvER
1994
Betty
movieMy Name Is Kate
1994
Barbara Mannix
movieRecycle Rex
1993
Rose (voice)
movieMurder So Sweet
1993
Martha Catlin
tvMad About You
1992
Inspector #10
movieDeadly Intentions... Again?
1991
Charlotte
movieTexasville
1990
Genevieve Morgan
tvGravedale High
1990
Miss Dirge (voice)
movieStella
1990
Mrs. Wilkerson
tvTales from the Crypt
1989
Ruth Sanderson
movieRented Lips
1988
Hotel Desk Clerk
movieSticky Fingers
1988
Stella
movieThe New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
1988
Miss Bannister
movieBabes in Toyland
1986
Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
movieClue
1985
Mrs. Peacock
tvThe Ray Bradbury Theater
1985
Mrs. Annabelle Shrike
movieAnswers
1985
Amanda Jackson (Segment "Twinkle, Twinkle")
tvOff the Rack
1985
Kate Halloran
tvMurder, She Wrote
1984
Loretta Lee / Marian Simpson
movieThe Funny Farm
1983
Gail Corbin
movieWorking
1982
Millworker
moviePandemonium
1982
Candy's Mom
movieKraft Salutes Walt Disney World's 10th Anniversary
1982
Aunt Angelique Lane
tvAmerican Playhouse
1982
Millworker
movieIncident at Crestridge
1981
Sara Davis
tvPrivate Benjamin
1981
Doreen Lewis
tvMagnum, P.I.
1980
Brenda Babcock
moviePrivate Benjamin
1980
Capt. Doreen Lewis
movieMy Old Man
1979
Marie
movieWhen She Was Bad...
1979
Mary Jensen
tv13 Queens Blvd.
1979
Felicia Winters
tvTaxi
1978
Mrs. McKenzie
movieThe Cheap Detective
1978
Betty DeBoop
movieFM
1978
Mother
tvBlack Beauty
1978
Annie Gray
tvAll That Glitters
1977
Ma Packer
movieThe Death of Richie
1977
Carol Werner
movieMurder by Death
1976
Tess Skeffington
movieHustle
1975
Paula Hollinger
movieThe Night That Panicked America
1975
Ann Muldoon
movieKnuckle
1975
Delafield's Mistress
movieMy Father's House
1975
Mrs. Lindholm Sr.
movieAt Long Last Love
1975
Elizabeth
tvDinah!
1974
Self
movieNourish the Beast
1974
Baba Goya
movieDaisy Miller
1974
Mrs. Walker
movieCome Die with Me
1974
Mary Thatcher
movieThe Sting
1973
Billie
movieThe Blue Knight
1973
Glenda
tvThe Blue Knight
1973
Glenda
tvKojak
1973
Julie Loring
movieScarecrow
1973
Darlene
tvBarnaby Jones
1973
Anita Willson
movieThe Last Picture Show
1971
Genevieve
tvMcMillan & Wife
1971
Nora Dane
tvAll in the Family
1971
Angelique McCarthy
movieThe Star Wagon
1966
Hallie
tvNET Playhouse
1966
Hallie Arlington
tvGolden Globe Awards
1944
Self - Presenter / Self - Nominee
Crew1
movieMiller's Tale
2011
Additional Music
Writing1
tvWow! Wow! Wubbzy!
2006
Writer