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Eileen Brennan

Acting

Born September 3, 1932 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Died July 28, 2013

Also known as 艾琳·布伦南 · Verla Eileen Regina Brennan · Verla Eileen Regina Brennen

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.

Awards & recognition

  • Golden Globe AwardBest Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1982
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 1981
  • Theatre World Award · 1960
  • Golden Raspberry AwardWorst Supporting Actress · 1989 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Supporting Actress · 1981 · nominated

Filmography50+ titles

My Father's House

1975as Mrs. Lindholm Sr.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

2006Writer

Tales from the Crypt

1989as Ruth Sanderson

Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife

1987as Sylvia

The Sting

1973as Billie

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

Writer

ER

1994as Betty

All in the Family

1971as Angelique McCarthy

The Last Picture Show

1971as Genevieve

Murder, She Wrote

1984as Loretta Lee

Strong Medicine

2000as Evelyn Knightly

Home Improvement

1991as Wanda

When the Circus Came to Town

1981as Jessy

Magnum, P.I.

1980as Brenda Babcock

Taxi

1978as Mrs. McKenzie

Lizzie McGuire

2001as Marge

Touched by an Angel

1994as Dolores Freeman

Clue

1985as Mrs. Peacock

Murder by Death

1976as Tess Skeffington

Kojak

1973as Julie Loring

Scarecrow

1973as Darlene

Walker, Texas Ranger

1993as Joelle

The Fourth Wise Man

1985as Judith

The Death of Richie

1977as Carol Werner

Barnaby Jones

1973as Anita Willson

McMillan & Wife

1971as Nora Dane

Will & Grace

1998as Zandra

The Ray Bradbury Theater

1985as Mrs. Annabelle Shrike

Arli$$

1996as Lenore

If These Walls Could Talk

1996as Tessie

Mad About You

1992as Inspector #10

Jeepers Creepers

2001as The Cat Lady

White Palace

1990as Judy

7th Heaven

1996as Mrs. Bink

The Cheap Detective

1978as Betty DeBoop

Daisy Miller

1974as Mrs. Walker

The Last Great Ride

1999as Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate

Murder So Sweet

1993as Martha Catlin

Private Benjamin

1980as Capt. Doreen Lewis

Sticky Fingers

1988as Stella

The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking

1988as Miss Bannister

Divorce American Style

1967as Eunice

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

2005as Carol Fields

Hustle

1975as Paula Hollinger

The Amateurs

2005as Mrs. Cherkiss

Dumb Luck

2003as Minnie Hitchcock

Babes in Toyland

1986as Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard

Incident at Crestridge

1981as Sara Davis

Who Done It: The Clue Documentary

2022as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Comic Book Villains

2002as Mrs. Cresswell