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.

Most Known For

ER

as Betty

Murder, She Wrote

as Loretta Lee

Murder, She Wrote

as Marian Simpson

Mad About You

as Inspector #10

Will & Grace

as Zandra

Magnum, P.I.

as Brenda Babcock

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Presenter

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Nominee

Home Improvement

as Wanda

Walker, Texas Ranger

as Joelle

Strong Medicine

as Evelyn Knightly

Tales from the Crypt

as Ruth Sanderson

The Merv Griffin Show

as Self

Touched by an Angel

as Dolores Freeman

7th Heaven

as Mrs. Bink

Taxi

as Mrs. McKenzie

All in the Family

as Angelique McCarthy

Kojak

as Julie Loring

Barnaby Jones

as Anita Willson

The Wonderful World of Disney

as Joe #1