Eileen Brennan

Eileen Brennan

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.

Who Done It: The Clue Documentary
2022
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Miller's Tale
2011
Additional Music
Naked Run
2011
Gram Malone
The Amateurs
2006
Mrs. Cherkiss
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
2005
Carol Fields
The Art of 'The Sting'
2005
Self
The Hollow
2004
Joan Van Etten
Dumb Luck
2003
Minnie Hitchcock
Comic Book Villains
2002
Mrs. Cresswell
Jeepers Creepers
2001
The Cat Lady
The Last Great Ride
1999
Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate
Pants on Fire
1998
Mom
Boys Life 2
1997
Mrs. Randozza
Toothless
1997
Joe #1
Changing Habits
1997
Mother Superior
If These Walls Could Talk
1996
Tessie
Trail of Tears
1995
Clara
Reckless
1995
Sister Margaret
Freaky Friday
1995
Principal Handel
In Search of Dr. Seuss
1994
The Who-Villain
The Lies Boys Tell
1994
Sada
My Name Is Kate
1994
Barbara Mannix
Nunzio's Second Cousin
1994
Mrs. Randazzo
Recycle Rex
1993
Rose (voice)
Precious Victims
1993
Minnie
Murder So Sweet
1993
Martha Catlin
I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore
1992
Frieda
Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story
1992
Vicky Martin
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas
1991
Self
Deadly Intentions... Again?
1991
Charlotte
White Palace
1990
Judy
Stella
1990
Mrs. Wilkerson
Texasville
1990
Genevieve Morgan
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
1988
Miss Bannister
Sticky Fingers
1988
Stella
Going to the Chapel
1988
Maude
The Fartiste
1987
Rented Lips
1987
Hotel Desk Clerk
Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife
1987
Sylvia
Babes in Toyland
1986
Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
The History of White People in America: Volume II
1986
Clue
1985
Mrs. Peacock
The Fourth Wise Man
1985
Judith
The History of White People in America
1985
Answers
1985
Amanda Jackson (Segment "Twinkle, Twinkle")
The Funny Farm
1983
Gail Corbin
Lily for President?
1982
Maggie
Pandemonium
1982
Candy's Mom
Kraft Salutes Walt Disney World's 10th Anniversary
1982
Aunt Angelique Lane
Working
1982
Millworker
Incident at Crestridge
1981
Sara Davis
When the Circus Came to Town
1981
Jessy
Private Benjamin
1980
Capt. Doreen Lewis
My Old Man
1979
Marie
When She Was Bad...
1979
Mary Jensen
FM
1978
Mother
The Great Smokey Roadblock
1978
Penelope
The Cheap Detective
1978
Betty DeBoop
The Death of Richie
1977
Carol Werner
Murder by Death
1976
Tess Skeffington
At Long Last Love
1975
Elizabeth
Knuckle
1975
Delafield's Mistress
Hustle
1975
Paula Hollinger
The Night That Panicked America
1975
Ann Muldoon
My Father's House
1975
Mrs. Lindholm Sr.
Daisy Miller
1974
Mrs. Walker
Come Die With Me
1974
Nourish the Beast
1974
Baba Goya
Scarecrow
1973
Darlene
The Sting
1973
Billie
The Blue Knight
1973
Glenda
Playmates
1972
Amy
The Last Picture Show
1971
Genevieve
Divorce American Style
1967
Eunice Tase
The Star Wagon
1966
Hallie