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Eileen Brennan

Eileen Brennan

Birthday: 1932-09-03 | Place of Birth: 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.

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Known For

Acting

Year
Title

Role

2005
The Art of 'The Sting'

as    Self

2004
The Hollow

as    Joan Van Etten

2002
Comic Book Villains

as    Mrs. Cresswell

2001
Jeepers Creepers

as    The Cat Lady

1999
The Last Great Ride

as    Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate

1998
Pants on Fire

as    Mom

1997
Toothless

as    Joe #1

1997
Changing Habits

as    Mother Superior

1995
Trail of Tears

as    Clara

1995
Freaky Friday

as    Principal Handel

1995
Reckless

as    Sister Margaret

1994
My Name Is Kate

as    Barbara Mannix

1994
Nunzio's Second Cousin

as    Mrs. Randazzo

1994
The Lies Boys Tell

as    Sada

1994
In Search of Dr. Seuss

as    The Who-Villain

1993
Murder So Sweet

as    Martha Catlin

1992
I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore

as    Frieda

1991
Deadly Intentions... Again?

as    Charlotte

1990
Texasville

as    Genevieve Morgan

1990
White Palace

as    Judy

1990
Stella

as    Mrs. Wilkerson

1988
Going to the Chapel

as    Maude

1988
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking

as    Miss Bannister

1988
Sticky Fingers

as    Stella