
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 Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1982
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 1981
- Theatre World Award · 1960
- Golden Raspberry Award — Worst Supporting Actress · 1989 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1981 · nominated
Filmography50+ titles

My Father's House

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

Tales from the Crypt

Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife

The Sting

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

ER

All in the Family

The Last Picture Show

Murder, She Wrote

Strong Medicine

Home Improvement

When the Circus Came to Town

Magnum, P.I.

Taxi

Lizzie McGuire

Touched by an Angel

Clue

Murder by Death

Kojak

Scarecrow

Walker, Texas Ranger

The Fourth Wise Man

The Death of Richie

Barnaby Jones

McMillan & Wife

Will & Grace

The Ray Bradbury Theater

Arli$$

If These Walls Could Talk

Mad About You

Jeepers Creepers

White Palace

7th Heaven

The Cheap Detective

Daisy Miller

The Last Great Ride

Murder So Sweet

Private Benjamin

Sticky Fingers

The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking

Divorce American Style

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

Hustle

The Amateurs

Dumb Luck

Babes in Toyland

Incident at Crestridge

Who Done It: The Clue Documentary

Comic Book Villains