Highest rated as cast or director
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.
Acted in 107
2010s
- 2011
Naked Run
Gram Malone
2000s
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
Dumb Luck
Minnie Hitchcock
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
The Last Great Ride
Pamela 'Mimi' Applegate
- 1998
Pants on Fire
Mom
- 1997
Changing Habits
Mother Superior
Boys Life 2
Mrs. Randozza
- 1996
- 1995
Reckless
Sister Margaret
Trail of Tears
Clara
Freaky Friday
Principal Handel
- 1994
The Lies Boys Tell
Sada
In Search of Dr. Seuss
The Who-Villain
Nunzio's Second Cousin
Mrs. Randazzo
My Name Is Kate
Barbara Mannix
- 1993
Precious Victims
Minnie
Recycle Rex
Rose (voice)
Murder So Sweet
Martha Catlin
- 1992
Jack's Place
TV
I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore
Frieda
Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story
Vicky Martin
- 1991
Deadly Intentions... Again?
Charlotte
- 1990
Texasville
Genevieve Morgan
American Dreamer
TV
Gravedale High
Miss Dirge (voice) · 2 episodes
Stella
Mrs. Wilkerson
1980s
- 1989
- 1988
Going to the Chapel
Maude
Rented Lips
Hotel Desk Clerk
Sticky Fingers
Stella
- 1987
Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife
Sylvia
The Fartiste
Movie
- 1986
The History of White People in America: Volume II
Movie
- 1985
The History of White People in America
Movie
Answers
Amanda Jackson (Segment "Twinkle, Twinkle")
Off the Rack
Kate Halloran · 6 episodes
- 1984
- 1983
The Funny Farm
Gail Corbin
- 1982
Lily for President?
Maggie
Working
Millworker
Pandemonium
Candy's Mom
Kraft Salutes Walt Disney World's 10th Anniversary
Aunt Angelique Lane
- 1981
Incident at Crestridge
Sara Davis
Private Benjamin
Doreen Lewis · 39 episodes
When the Circus Came to Town
Jessy
- 1980
1970s
- 1979
My Old Man
Marie
A New Kind of Family
TV
13 Queens Blvd.
Felicia Winters · 9 episodes
- 1978
FM
Mother
Black Beauty
Annie Gray · 5 episodes
- 1977
- 1976
- 1975
Hustle
Paula Hollinger
The Night That Panicked America
Ann Muldoon
Doctors' Hospital
TV
Knuckle
Delafield's Mistress
My Father's House
Mrs. Lindholm Sr.
At Long Last Love
Elizabeth
- 1974
Nourish the Beast
Baba Goya
Daisy Miller
Mrs. Walker
Come Die with Me
Mary Thatcher
- 1973
The Blue Knight
Glenda
The Blue Knight
Glenda · 4 episodes
- 1972
Playmates
Amy
- 1971
1960s
- 1967
Divorce American Style
Eunice
- 1966
The Star Wagon
Hallie
Other crew 1
2010s
- 2011
Miller's Tale
Additional Music
Wrote 1
2000s
- 2006
Appearances6
2020s
- 2022
Who Done It: The Clue Documentary
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2000s
- 2005
The Art of 'The Sting'
Self
1990s
- 1991
Picture This
Self
1970s
- 1974
1960s
- 1962
