Brenda McDonald

Biography

Brenda McDonald (born Brenda Olive Nicholls; February 12, 1931 – November 23, 2024) was a Canadian actress. Born in London, Brenda moved to Canada at 21, settling first in Toronto, then in Vancouver, where she met her first husband, Thomas Guy, and had four children with him. She graduated from UBC with a teaching degree in 1977, soon after Thomas had died of a heart attack. She taught English, French and Drama for nine years before quitting to follow her dream of acting. Her career spanned 33 years. She performed on stage, in film, and in training and educational videos, as well as doing voice-over work. She was also very active in community theatre with North Vancouver Community Players and United Players in Jericho. Her first film gig of note was as a body double for Katharine Hepburn, and over the years she shared the set with many of the greats: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Anthony Quinn, Paul Hogan and many others. She worked on many Vancouver-shot series, including X-Files, Stargate: Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, Supernatural, and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She is known by many for a single line delivered while playing the nun in Elf: “But the children love the books!” Brenda had an active personal life: she remarried twice, surviving all of her husbands, had 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She maintained her independence by keeping her driving licence until she was 92, played saxophone, attended art classes, walked every day, and she was a passionate fan of Vancouver Canucks.

Most Known For

Supernatural

as Rose Thompson

The X-Files

as Auntie Janet

The X-Files

as Mrs. Loach

Stargate Atlantis

as Charin

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

as Dezmelda

The Outer Limits

as Mrs. Eikenberry

The Outer Limits

as Old Arthritic Woman

R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour

as Killer Old Lady

Sanctuary

as Navajo Woman

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction

as Zerelda Hart (segment "Mysterious Strangers")

The Wonderful World of Disney

as Mary's Friend

Masters of Horror

as Mother Mayter

Reaper

as Mary Ann Fitzgerald

Viper

as Mrs. Fletcher

Witches of East End

as Elderly Elizabeth

Blood Ties

as Emily

Elf

as Nun

She's the Man

as Old Lady in Beauty Parlor

Seventh Son

as Timeless Hag (uncredited)

Scary Movie 4

as Old Lady Henderson