CINEFILER

Eileen Brennan

Born
September 3, 1932
Died
July 28, 2013
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
The Sting
(1973)
Billie
Jeepers Creepers
(2001)
The Cat Lady
Clue
(1985)
Mrs. Peacock
White Palace
(1990)
Judy
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
(2005)
Carol Fields
Murder by Death
(1976)
Tess Skeffington
Private Benjamin
(1980)
Capt. Doreen Lewis
The Last Picture Show
(1971)
Genevieve
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
(1988)
Miss Bannister
The Cheap Detective
(1978)
Betty DeBoop
Scarecrow
(1973)
Darlene
If These Walls Could Talk
(1996)
Tessie
Comic Book Villains
(2002)
Mrs. Cresswell
Babes in Toyland
(1986)
Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
The Amateurs
(2006)
Mrs. Cherkiss
Hustle
(1975)
Paula Hollinger
Full Filmography
Acting
The Star Wagon
(1966)
Hallie
Divorce American Style
(1967)
Eunice Tase
The Last Picture Show
(1971)
Genevieve
Playmates
(1972)
Amy
The Sting
(1973)
Billie
The Blue Knight
(1973)
Glenda
Scarecrow
(1973)
Darlene
Come Die With Me
(1974)
Nourish the Beast
(1974)
Baba Goya
Daisy Miller
(1974)
Mrs. Walker
At Long Last Love
(1975)
Elizabeth
Hustle
(1975)
Paula Hollinger
The Night That Panicked America
(1975)
Ann Muldoon
Knuckle
(1975)
Delafield's Mistress
My Father's House
(1975)
Mrs. Lindholm Sr.
Murder by Death
(1976)
Tess Skeffington
The Death of Richie
(1977)
Carol Werner
FM
(1978)
Mother
The Great Smokey Roadblock
(1978)
Penelope
The Cheap Detective
(1978)
Betty DeBoop
My Old Man
(1979)
Marie
When She Was Bad...
(1979)
Mary Jensen
Private Benjamin
(1980)
Capt. Doreen Lewis
Incident at Crestridge
(1981)
Sara Davis
When the Circus Came to Town
(1981)
Jessy
Pandemonium
(1982)
Candy's Mom
Working
(1982)
Millworker
Lily for President?
(1982)
Maggie
The Funny Farm
(1983)
Gail Corbin
The History of White People in America
(1985)
Clue
(1985)
Mrs. Peacock
The Fourth Wise Man
(1985)
Judith
Answers
(1985)
Amanda Jackson (Segment "Twinkle, Twinkle")
The History of White People in America: Volume II
(1986)
Babes in Toyland
(1986)
Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife
(1987)
Sylvia
The Fartiste
(1987)
Rented Lips
(1987)
Hotel Desk Clerk
Going to the Chapel
(1988)
Maude
Sticky Fingers
(1988)
Stella
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
(1988)
Miss Bannister
It Had to Be You
(1989)
Judith
Texasville
(1990)
Genevieve Morgan
Stella
(1990)
Mrs. Wilkerson
White Palace
(1990)
Judy
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas
(1991)
Self
Deadly Intentions... Again?
(1991)
Charlotte
I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore
(1992)
Frieda
Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story
(1992)
Vicky Martin
Precious Victims
(1993)
Minnie
Recycle Rex
(1993)
Rose (voice)
The Lies Boys Tell
(1994)
Sada
Nunzio's Second Cousin
(1994)
Mrs. Randazzo
In Search of Dr. Seuss
(1994)
The Who-Villain
My Name Is Kate
(1994)
Barbara Mannix
Reckless
(1995)
Sister Margaret
Freaky Friday
(1995)
Principal Handel
Trail of Tears
(1995)
Clara
If These Walls Could Talk
(1996)
Tessie
Changing Habits
(1997)
Mother Superior
Boys Life 2
(1997)
Mrs. Randozza
Toothless
(1997)
Joe #1
Pants on Fire
(1998)
Mom
The Last Great Ride
(1999)
Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate
Jeepers Creepers
(2001)
The Cat Lady
Comic Book Villains
(2002)
Mrs. Cresswell
Dumb Luck
(2003)
Minnie Hitchcock
The Hollow
(2004)
Joan Van Etten
The Art of 'The Sting'
(2005)
Self
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
(2005)
Carol Fields
The Amateurs
(2006)
Mrs. Cherkiss
Naked Run
(2011)
Gram Malone
Who Done It: The Clue Documentary
(2022)
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Crew
Data provided by TMDB