Personal Info
Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
September 3, 1932
Place of Birth:
Los Angeles, California, USA
Social Media
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.
Known For
Filmography
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Lizzie McGuire | Marge |
| 2000 | The Fearing Mind | Irene's mother |
| 2000 | Strong Medicine | Evelyn Knightly |
| 1998 | Will & Grace | Zandra |
| 1997 | The Wonderful World of Disney | Joe #1 |
| 1997 | Veronica's Closet | Grammy Anderson |
| 1996 | 7th Heaven | Mrs. Bink |
| 1994 | ER | Betty |
| 1994 | Touched by an Angel | Dolores Freeman |
| 1993 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Joelle |
| 1992 | Mad About You | Inspector #10 |
| 1992 | Jack's Place | |
| 1991 | Home Improvement | Wanda |
| 1990 | American Dreamer | |
| 1990 | Gravedale High | Miss Dirge (voice) |
| 1989 | Tales from the Crypt | Ruth Sanderson |
| 1987 | thirtysomething | |
| 1985 | The Ray Bradbury Theater | Mrs. Annabelle Shrike |
| 1985 | Off the Rack | Kate Halloran |
| 1984 | Murder, She Wrote | Loretta Lee |
| 1984 | Murder, She Wrote | Marian Simpson |
| 1982 | Newhart | |
| 1981 | Private Benjamin | Doreen Lewis |
| 1980 | Magnum, P.I. | |
| 1979 | A New Kind of Family | |
| 1979 | 13 Queens Blvd. | Felicia Winters |
| 1978 | Taxi | Mrs. McKenzie |
| 1978 | Black Beauty | Annie Gray |
| 1977 | All That Glitters | |
| 1975 | Doctors' Hospital | |
| 1974 | Dinah! | Self |
| 1973 | Kojak | Julie Loring |
| 1973 | Barnaby Jones | Anita Willson |
| 1971 | All in the Family | Angelique McCarthy |
| 1971 | McMillan & Wife | Nora Dane |
| 1968 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | Self |
| 1962 | The Merv Griffin Show | Self |
| 1944 | Golden Globe Awards | Self - Presenter |
| 1944 | Golden Globe Awards | Self - Winner |